Posted by Sam Taylor
on August 16, 2025
2021 was the year from hell.
Married to an absolute tosser - liar, manipulator, and generally useless human - I hit breaking point after three years of abuse. It wasn’t just the verbal tirades; it was the constant manipulation, the lying, the draining of my money and energy that really did it.
I went from being a fully booked beautician with a steady income to scraping by - all thanks to his bizarre obsession with sweets. (No joke, the man could have been the poster boy for a sugar addiction.)
A Military Marriage & Zero Support
My ex-husband was a soldier with 1 PWRR - one of the nastiest regiments you’ll ever come across. The military welfare system? Let’s just say the welfare clerk was far more interested in shagging the social worker who was supposed to be helping me than actually doing their job.
I was angry. Being neurodivergent, I’ve always taken people at face value - I didn’t realise that so much of society lies for a living, or that “help” often comes with strings attached (if it comes at all).
I felt cheated, let down, manipulated. Yes, I wanted to be a mum - but not the kind of mum who has to do it all alone, without a village. And society? It doesn’t just make life hard for women - it’s especially brutal to pregnant women and mums. There were times when life felt unbearable, and if it wasn’t for my already-living teenager, I honestly don’t know if I’d still be here.
Discovering My Neurodivergence
At the time, I didn’t know I was ND. I thought there was something fundamentally wrong with me - that my “strong sense of justice” was a flaw to be ashamed of. Now I know better. Having morals isn’t a weakness; it’s the baseline for being a decent human being.
The truth is, people often take advantage of my trusting nature. I’ve been screwed over more by women in the last year than men - people jumping on my platform, making grand promises, and quickly showing their true colours.
Being autistic with ADHD does come with its superpowers, though. We’re not all the same - we don’t all think the same, and we don’t all have the same work ethic. But when I focus, I really focus.
The Birth of Dope Soul Village
One night, scrolling through TikTok, I saw a feminist jumper - and it sparked something in me. That’s how Dope Soul Village was born in 2021.
What started as an idea quickly grew into a community of over 50,000 people, mainly women, supporting other women. It wasn’t just about selling feminist hoodies, T-shirts, and sweaters - it was about building a movement.
Since then, I’ve:
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Helped women with court filings and social services complaints.
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Got a corrupt social worker sacked for siding with an abusive father.
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Used my platform to call out injustice and stand with survivors.
My mission has always been bigger than clothes - I want to educate women and young people about domestic abuse, go into schools to undo toxic “Andrew Tate” nonsense, open community centres, and be as loud as possible in the fight against abuse.
From Dope Soul Village to Finally Free CIC
Now, I’m also the force behind Finally Free CIC – because clearly I don’t have enough on my plate! I work as much as humanly possible; staying up until 4 a.m. isn’t unusual. Is it healthy? No. But how can I sleep knowing there are over 2,000 women on my waiting list for a space in a domestic violence shelter?
I’ll rest when the first shelter is open. Until then, I’m pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into this.
Dope Soul Village is more than a clothing brand - it’s a village for women who were promised one and never received it. We’re your big sister, your mum, your grandmother. We’re here for women who just need a break.
No woman is left behind.
No matter how many barriers or obstacles the universe throws my way, I’ve evolved - and both Dope Soul Village and Finally Free CIC will make a huge difference.
I put my money where my mouth is. If you do too, I’d love to hear from you. I always need volunteers.
📧 Email: info@dopesoulvillage.com
🌍 Shop: www.dopesoulvillage.com
Much love & fire
Sam
xoxo
