Bates was introduced to the alternative healing world almost twenty years ago. Her introduction started with herbal remedies, theological studies, reflexology, and raw foods. Her mother was her first client. After the passing of her mother in 1992, Bates continued with her alternative healing studies and moved into hands-on-healing, homeopathic remedies, energy medicine and aura, chakra and meridian work for free. Bates started "Giving HOPE" as her home-based business in 2003; and the next summer she began teaching her weekly Empowerment and Enlightenment classes.