Today, we are having Sethlina Amakye sharing about the misconceptions and her personal tips about creating a faith based business. I know many of my faith, or generally, belief based business owner friends are often caught in the tension of putting it all out there or measuring how much to share. Well, Sethie is sharing about her own experience and the two main lessons she has learned along the way.
“Entrepreneurship is insanity with a side of freedom. It is “Why would I ever try this” with a dash of “I couldn’t see myself living any other way”. When you’re up, you’re super up and when you’re down…well let’s just say your bank account openly laughs in your face. That up and down is way more bearable when your business is authentic to your lifestyle and in line with your beliefs. I can’t say I have it perfect but I’ve come up with a couple of ways to live your most authentic life where your business, beliefs, and lifestyle don’t have to be separate entities!
Before I proceed, I think there is a false narrative that having a business that is both authentic and true to your faith means more money. I’m sorry to say that it isn’t always the case. Yes, sales could rise in conjunction with being true to yourself BUT they aren’t synonymous. Many people are in business doing what they love and not making a whole lot from it. Yes money is a focal point, because well, duh, we all have to eat, but there is something special about being able to ask God to bless your business and your family knowing that He’ll take care of the rest.
I truly believe in building a business that isn’t tedious or difficult to manage when things aren’t going as planned because your beliefs are the anchor. Believe it or not, most entrepreneurs think about quitting at least 10 times a day. In my case, I stop myself from quitting only because my business is so closely aligned to what I would do even if I wasn’t getting paid AND it’s completely connected to what I believe God has in store for me.
What keeps you going? What keeps you looking “up” in spite of what is happening around you? What brings you fulfillment and joy?
That brings me to my two tips for today…
There are business coaches out there wincing at this thought because not everything we enjoy doing is profitable, but it makes a huge difference when you are up fulfilling orders in the middle of the night. If you are product based, like me, you will most likely have late nights with packing tape, and tissue paper. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be doing something I actually truly enjoy. Think about it this way: What is so closely connected to your lifestyle that nobody even bats an eye when you tell them your plan? Have you been doing yoga for 15 years? Then it makes perfect sense to open a yoga studio. If you have always done your friends’ and families’ makeup (and people keep coming back), it makes perfect sense to become a professional makeup artist. I am a creative and came out the womb with a glue gun and glitter. It makes sense that my business would reflect that.
Your beliefs set the stage for every decision you make in your business. These are what you pull from when you have nowhere to turn. These are what buoy you when you’ve scoured all the business books, podcasts, or discussion boards and still can’t figure it out. Your beliefs make it possible to push just a little further when all odds are against you.
I am a Christian and my business is a direct reflection of that belief. I speak of Jesus constantly in my real life and so it makes it a million times easier to join my real life with my business life. My website, my ministry, my family, my real life personality are all connected and so my customers get the same person every time. I try referring to my faith in Instagram posts and sharing articles that have a feel good faith based narrative. This doesn’t have to be in your face but you will gain an entirely new audience and tribe of people who share or respect that about you. Hint, Hint: this also turns into conversions on the checkout page!
I know we all want to make it to the Forbes list but these small tweaks will give you a balanced and more fulfilled life when you do finally get there! I want to be the kind of business owner that can look at herself in the mirror and can sleep at night. I believe living the most authentic life possible sets you apart from the competition and also nourishes your soul, basically a win-win for everyone!”
About Sethie: Sethlina Amakye is a woman of God, wife, mother, business owner, author, and speaker. Her book, The Little Pink Book: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Christ Centered Femininity, has also afforded the opportunity for an online retail store, Love Sethie, and a ministry, The Tribe Gathering. In her free time she can be found watching Fixer Upper, sewing, or repurposing old furniture.
Website: www.lovesethie.com
Instagram: @lovesethie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovesethie