A Young Entrepreneur

Have you ever tried something that you are terrified of? Have you jumped into something with the hopes of it turning out well, but never truly seeing the end result? But you've decided to trust that maybe, just maybe, something great could happen.

I have embarked on a new adventure this year that has left me nervous, excited, and inspired. I have started my own business. This thought of becoming my own boss hasn't been a random, flippant thought. It has been years in the making, even when I didn't see it, so to say I'm surprised that I have decided to pursue my own business venture would be a lie. At a ripe 24 years of age, I made my mind to create and build a business that helps engage people into the mission and vision of companies. When I decided that this was the direction I wanted to go, I didn't just quit my "day job," and run into an open field and frolic in success. Instead, I knew that building a business is a process that has many different steps involved. Here are some of the thoughts I have been implementing:

1} Make a Plan 
Before starting your own business, it would be a good idea to have a plan! Seems almost comical to say, but having a plan that is sketched out will help you stay focused and keep you on target with your goals. Don't quit your current job when you have no foundation to fall back on. I know some people can get over zealous and decide they want to quit everything to pursue their new business. (And I am sure that has worked for some) I have found that it is wiser to build your own business while having some steady income to take care of living expenses. You don't want to start a company that is birthed out of stress or begging clients for their business because you are in desperate need of money. I don't ever want to get into a place where I feel like I "need" my clients money. I want to be able to help build businesses and be paid for the work I accomplish for them. Decide, early on, what you want your company to look like and how you want it to be presented. Set goals that can be accomplished in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. Think ahead and stay on top of what is happening in your industry so that you can become the leading resource for information and innovation.

2} Make an Investment 
Make sure you are investing into your company, just as much as you want others to. What type of products or partnerships are going to help you lay the best foundation for your business. For me, I designed and ordered my Business Cards, I bought a new Apple computer, the Square Card Reader, pens, notebooks to take notes and write down miles in my car, a receipt carrier for future tax purposes, Adobe computer software for designing, and I purchased social media programs that help me manage my clients accounts. So I made an investment into my company! Over $2,000 to start my business. But I needed each of those things on the list in order to truly reach the people I want to reach. So what are you doing to invest into your company - it may not look like a financial investment, it could look like an investment of time spent researching or time spend working on different projects. Do the things you hate first, and make an investment that will produces long term benefits. It's worth it!

3} Build Relationships
I can't stand companies that are built off of fake smiles and fluffed up rhetoric, in order to obtain people's money. I just won't create that kind of business for myself. I value people and relationships too much. I won't fake meaningless relationships for the sake of obtaining new business. I want to build something that brings true joy and accomplishment, and to me, that is through truly great connections with people. When you have great relationships with people, you will find that it is easier to partner with them and to understand what their business does and how you can help.

4} Stay Persistent 
For me, this ties into number 3. When you are building relationships with people, because you authentically care, doors will naturally open. So stay focused on who your target audience is, engage in their world, find out ways to connect on different levels, and don't be scared if someone tells you "no!" Take a "no" as "not today." This will help you stay persistent in pursuing and building networking connections with people. If you're like me, when you hear "No" and you automatically feel denied and stop desiring to connect with that person on a business level. I don't want to get in a habit of that. When I pursue building a relationship with someone, as a potential new client, and if they decline to not do business with me, I want to take their "no" and ask myself "why?" This will only help me become more refined and better equipped to serve the people I work with.

5} Do Something That Scares You Everyday 
Want to stay away from a stagnant business? Try doing something that scares you, everyday! This will help you reach new heights, accomplish things that seem out of reach, and it will open doors that you otherwise would have missed. I am still learning how to not let fear drive my decisions. Nobody wants a "safe" way of living - sure it can feel comfortable, but it will never let you reach your full potential. The things that scare you can seem totally ridiculous - I'll be honest with some of mine. I get scared to send a potential client a quote for how much my services will cost. (I literally have to amp myself up before sending it) I get scared that my business will turn out to be a complete disaster, so I don't tell many people about it. I am scared of "failing," so I walk on egg shells when I really should be thinking of ideas on how to walk on the moon. These fears can seem so silly and so trivial to some, but they are my battles to conquer. So as I figure out how to maneuver through my hangups, I encourage you to do the same!

I am happily pursuing a dream of mine - with all the ups and downs, I will stay focused on my goals and work hard! Cheers to being a young entrepreneur and congratulations to all the other young and successful business people!

I give everything over to You Lord

My Feet Will Wonder Towards Adventure

Right now, I am able to look at my life and the things God is doing... and actually appreciate it! You know how some times we can miss what God is really doing in our lives? And the only way we really see the hand of God working in and through our lives is when we look back to past experiences and say, "Wow, I couldn't even see what God was doing." I know that I can't see all of His greatness working in my life, but I can see and even feel a lot of what He is doing. It is truly inspiring. To have a personal relationship with my Savior.

I was recently blessed with the chance to get out of town for a long weekend trip to Utah. I was mainly visiting my sister and my brother-in-law but had the chance to visit the church they are helping start. I have lots of amazing friends out in Salt Lake City who are serving Jesus, so it was incredible to spend time with them as well! I knew the trip would be a nice chance for me to get away, I just didn't realize how much it would impact me. But I was in for a wonderful surprise!

Since my sister was working a few nights when I was there, I had a chance to go to coffee shops and relax. I actually took that free time I had to read this book called, "The Next Generation Leader" (Which I sincerely love!) and I also spent that time, dreaming, praying, editing photos, updating my new phone, and driving around a new town. I am a sucker for adventure. I enjoyed my time in Utah so much. I love driving places and not completely knowing where I am going. I love the new views, smells, people, and atmospheres I got to experience. This trip did wonders. While I was spending time just talking with God, I could feel Him start to pour dreams and goals in my life that I have kind of left on the wayside. I have found this new appreciation for traveling. Like this undeniable, gonna die if I don't do it, kind of traveling. I feel like I have finally come full circle with some of the tough situations I have gone through these past 6  months. And I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is a beautiful site to see! I would not be where I am if it wasn't for the unconditional love of my family and close friends and my ever growing relationship with Jesus. It is humbling.

So as I start to learn how God will have these crazy dreams pan-out, I will be prayerfully expectant for the new and exciting, while remembering the importance of my "now." Remembering that my current life is just as crucial to the big picture as anything else that will happen in my future!

Oh goodness. I am so excited to be alive and living out my dreams.

I give everything over to You Lord

Finding Rest in Business

I have been going through a lot. Usually people take that as a downer phrase, but let me clarify that phrase so that you can really understand where I am at and what God is teaching me. Things have been crazy! The best way to explain it is... Change & growth! I have been learning several new things about myself, as well as revising some past thoughts or struggles. Throughout my life and especially more recently, I have noticed a common theme. The fight to find rest. Sound funny? Well, I have been struggling with trying to balance my, seemingly, always busy schedule and also finding time to get with God and to reconnect with Him daily.

I have figured this out: I am going into a new season which means I need to know God in a whole new way. Deeper and more personal. My relationship with God is now at a place where I find it URGENT to be in relationship with Him. Desperate to be fed by His Word. Greatly desiring to serve others and to be passionate about the work that God is calling me to.

There is a fire lit within me that is so sold out to my Fathers business, no one can shake that from me.

So as I have been wrestling with this idea of business. I have been keeping my heart open to what God is wanting to teach me. Finally, I was listening to a message by Mark Driscoll and I felt like I heard a little bit of my life in his message.


Here is what I took from it: 
The enemy might not try to get you to deliberately sin, instead, his goal might be to keep you busy enough so that you don't have time to put the first things first. The things that I know I need to put first consist of making a daily goal of getting into the Word a main priority in my life. It is also spending quality time in intentional prayer and then praying without doubt but with full belief in God's capabilities. I also need to work on how to be able to slow down and to stop long enough to hear God speak to me. Finding a church family to do life with and to have encouragement and accountability has also been a huge factor in me being fed as well as me pouring into other people.

I have heard messages in the past about having distractions and even about how the enemy can keep us busy to avoid spending time with God. I understood the concepts of those messages and they were really impactful, but it hasn't been until more recently where I have been trying to apply what I have learned. If no one has even told you, those two totally look and feel different. Hearing and doing!

I wish I could end this blog post with some great revelation and life changing encounter, but I am still in the works of all my thoughts and prayers. I will tell you that I am slowly getting great insight into what I feel God tugging on my heart about. Although, I suppose IT IS a great revelation that I have been hearing God so much lately. We are in constant communication with each other, and for me, I am very pleased with that!

The goal is to be fruitful not just busy. Do not exchange business for fruitfulness. 
Instead of doing 10 things poorly, how about trying to do 2 things really well. 

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to a continual learning process through my life. That I may have the desire to always learn and to always seek God first.

I give everything over to You Lord

Being Cautious

Season 1 Episode 3 "Cautious"

{And this part of my life I call Workin' It Out}

Recently I have been feeling drawn to seek wise council about unanswered questions in order to be cautious about the direction I am heading. I have been talking to those who know me best and really trying to hear God's voice through their advice and guidance. I don't want to get to a state where I am so cautious that I can't enjoy the blessings God has placed in front of me. Instead finding a balance of Godly council and actually living out my walk with God, trusting that He will guide my path as I follow after Him. My desire is to please God and bring honor to Him through my life.

I want to do things right. Relationally, friendships, education, ministry and family. I have noticed myself being more guarded lately, in order to avoid any hurt. Although, mentally I know that is a destructive way of living and thinking, I have been fighting against the trap of shutting people out. I want to be vulnerable because I know how much benefit it is to have honest people living life. Even if it is a little messy at times, honesty is appreciated by God which means I am learning daily how to appreciate it in the same way as He does.

I have been feeling this desire to break through the dark cloud that has been following me for quite some time. I don't want any fear based relationships or hidden secrets. I want an honest jab at a healthy, flourishing, productive and stable relationship. Something that has always been a desire of mine. So as I work through my journey of asking questions and seeking out answers, as well as forming God honoring relationships with people, I will do the things that can not fail me. I will still keep falling madly in love with my God. I will still live each day with a passion to pursue God. I will still bow my knees in prayer. I will read the Bible with an open heart. I will lead by example and walk by faith. I will keep pouring into the lives that God has allowed me to, while still staying humble enough to be poured into and molded as well. I love my God, I am thankful for my life. I worship a Mighty King!

I give everything over to You Lord

Butterflies

Season 1 Episode 2 "Butterflies"

{And this part of my life I call Friendship}

Have you ever felt like you knew someone for years after meeting them for the first time? Well, how about knowing someone for years except feeling like you don't know them at all? In your lifetime you will probably never have two friends who are exactly the same. Some you may be able to build a deep and personal relationship with, while others may be fleeting friends who never get to know the real you. Either way we will all at some point experience friendship, bad or good, meaningless or quality.

Often times I feel like it is easier to either be friends that don't really know much about each other or be in a relationship and skip the whole friendship part. Although, it is only within the past few weeks that I have grown a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friend. And even though I still feel like I am working on what it means to be a friend at all times, I am learning to love the in between stage. Where it isn't quite acquaintances and still to far from relationship, but smack dab in the middle of em' both! The process of what it really means to learn about someone and understand how they operate is often times overlooked and seldom a priority.

I have been able to see friendship as a very powerful force in this world. I have seen friendships save lives. I have seen friendships encourage. I have seen friendships turn into prayer worriers, and an unstoppable forces of God. Friendships can be taken advantage. They can be ruined and destroyed. They have the ability to build up a generation that is made to be an agent of change. Friendships are important.

So as I embark on my "Episode 2" of seeking to understand friendships in a different light, I give Glory to God that He has been my sole reasoning in trying to learn when He has planned in the stage of Friendship!

I give every to You Lord

ABOUT.ME

I have recently made a profile on ABOUT.ME - Here is what it says: Or VISIT HERE

God Breathed Life Into Me

I am passionate about living & passionate about God, people, dance, photography, art, writing, creating, spoken words, music, and relationships. I get inspired by the uncommon and always try to listen for where God is leading me. I feel lucky to have my life, solely because I get to be molded, grow, encourage, achieve, accomplish, fail, try again, succeed, learn, forget, forgive, remember, and know who I am as a child of a King, a sister, friend, best friend, aunt, cousin, daughter, co-worker, crew member, youth leader and as ME! I really don't know much about anything, but I have the desire to become knowledgeable about most things! I am excited to live and can't wait to do great things in this World!

"My flesh may fail, but God you never will!"

I give everything over to You Lord