Want to hear something funny?  I was born to help people find out what they were born to do. Cracks me up to say it…but it’s true. And until I embraced this calling over my life, owning a branding agency didn’t really make any sense.  It was just another company.  I didn’t feel like I had a purpose. We were all created with God’s purpose in mind.  And until we discover His purpose for our entrepreneurial life (and actually bring it to life) there will always be an empty part of our business that feels unfulfilled. The Bible says: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". Ephesians 2:10 NIV We are God’s workmanship, He created us Godpreneurs for a huge reason, and it’s our duty to find it and live it. God had a vision for us, and by the constant chipping away of our selfish selves, whats being exposed is our true identity and calling in life. But being called is not enough.  You must actually do something with that vision. It must come to life.  Version 1 is better than version NONE!  We Godpreneurs play a crucial role in the big vision.  Our particular businesses are important and are different than what He has in mind for all other entrepreneurs. I can’t get over the fact that there are hundreds of millions of entrepreneurs, and all of us are supposed to do something different and unique.  But from what I know about niches, there are infinite possibilities, and God has prepared one specific to us. You have a duty, an obligation, and a responsibility to find the vision and live it out. If your boss has a checklist of things to accomplish before you leave at 5 pm, you’d clearly be on top of it.  It’s the same for the vision. Tragedy is not bringing a vision to life. God’s vision for us entrepreneurs is what should drive the decision of what business we should be in.  Embracing that vision is a small part of much bigger plans for humanity that has been playing since before we were a thought in our parent’s minds.  The vision for our lives is from the past, but it has an eternal impact on the future. Imagine a world where all entrepreneurs discovered, uncovered, and/or recovered the vision that God has for their businesses, and actually brought it to life. So, comment below and share the purpose God has built you for. #BusinessBibleStudy #StrengthenIntegrity #FindingMyPurpose #FindMyCalling

As Christian, is it possible to have fame and fortune, yet still, be rooted in Christ? Can I be the exception to the rule that “its hard for a rich man to get into heaven?” I struggled with this because I wouldn’t mind being rich and famous, but I don’t want to miss out on heaven! So, what does PROPER AMBITION actually look like? Yes, rich business owners go to heaven all the time. The issue isn’t how much money we have, the test comes to where our heart is at. Yesterday I talked about improper ambition and using my work as a means of making a name for myself. When the Babylonians tried to build their fame and fortune, God “scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city” (Genesis 11:8). To God, the motives behind my ambition obviously matter a great deal. The bible says: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 NIV 1 Corinthian also echoes how our ambitions should be set: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV Imagine a marketplace where people aren’t out for themselves and not using their creations to glorify themselves, but instead, they are laying their creations down as an offering of worship to God. Godpreneurs are called to be ambitious, to work hard, and to be good stewards of the talents God has given us. But we are called to own businesses, not for our own glory, but to “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). When our entrepreneurship is motivated by a desire to glorify God, serve others, and create products and services laid down as an offering to God, then we have the proper ambition to create with everything we’ve got. #StrengthenIntegrity #EnhanceFocus

A Godpreneur finds his full identity in God. #FindMyCalling #NewEntrepreneurs

From the first day I launched my business in 2005, I wasn’t afraid of taking risks. I left a well-paying job to pursue the dream of working for myself. And as the company grew, I continued to invest money into new ideas and ventures to further the expansion of the company. Launching businesses has become a way of life for me. It’s why I speak about it a lot in my writings. The dictionary defines an entrepreneur as “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks to do so.” The words “taking on a greater than normal financial risk” stands out to me the most here. As I study the Bible to uncover as much as I can about the stories and how they relate to entrepreneurship, I can’t help but see that Jesus also sought for his disciples to take risks if they were going to be involved in his Kingdom work. I’ve written extensively on all types of training for business, but the one I focus on the most is how Jesus calls a chosen group of us to be Godpreneurs and experience His supernatural power through business ownership. This begins by taking the first step of accepting the call to launch what we were born to do. Jesus took the first step by launching his ministry; THEN, he called his disciples to follow him so they could eventually do the same. We Godpreneurs have been invited on a journey to follow Jesus’s same footsteps of stepping out into unchartered territory, in faith, to do what God created us to do. No story of the Bible better illustrates this calling into the unknown like the story of Peter trying to walk on water. We’re not surprised that Jesus walks on water, but we’re drawn to Peter’s boldness of stepping into the unknown. And although Peter begins to sink in the water after the winds and waves overcome his mindset, we entrepreneurs should be encouraged and challenged by this. In my book, A Godpreneur’s Guide to Preparing to Launch Your Business, I want to parallel our calling as Godpreneurs to join Jesus in the miracles and wonders that await for us to experience as business owners in the Kingdom of God. But before Jesus asked Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water, the disciples had just finished experiencing the miracle of feeding 5000 people with only a few fish and loaves of bread. This is significant because, although Jesus was the source of the miracle, it was the disciples that passed out the bottomless baskets of food. Jesus worked THROUGH the disciples to show the miracle. The bible says: Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:19‭-‬21 NKJV) In the same way, you’ve already experienced Jesus working through you in some way, shape, or form. If you think hard enough, you’ll remember a time when something happened in school, work, or even a past entrepreneurial venture that was nothing short of a miracle. Remember that as you journey into launching your business. You’ll need that anchor as the confidence to know that if Jesus did it once, He can do it again. Jesus wants to use us Godpreneurs to be able to bring miraculous new products and services into the marketplace. The miracle of Godpreneurship is in each of our hands. Accepting that truth will make us supernatural entrepreneurs. #BusinessBibleStudy #LaunchingMyIdea Overcoming Obstacles to Launching Your Idea Join Us on a 12-Days Business Bible Plan to learn Overcoming Obstacles to Launching Your Idea. Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

As an ivy league business graduate from Cornell University, I didn’t take the “spiritual” stuff seriously in my 20s. My love for mathematics and chess made me someone that needed logic and reasoning to make my move. I’ll admit that I still struggle sometimes to grasp that God can work in supernatural, miraculous ways. It was difficult for me to develop a faith where I recognize that I have no control over the businesses I launch, only what’s going on inside of me. But seeing God work in amazing and wondrous ways of being my visions to life has helped me to become more open to supernatural ways that think line themselves for me to succeed. I know I’m crazy about taking financial risks in starting a business, but am I? Or am I extra faithful? As entrepreneurs and owners of our businesses, it’s difficult for us “let go, and let God” because who the heck is going to start and run this business if we don’t?! But running our business and expecting a supernatural encounter with God are two different things. We must do both. How do we break down any walls that we’ve built up that don’t allow us to let God do what only He can do in making our dreams a reality? The answer is in the bible. The stories of the Bible are meant to show us that miracles do happen… Yesterday, today, and always. In the Bible, we read: When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.” Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch. Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him. (Luke 5:4‭-‬10‭, ‬10‭-‬11 MSG) You and I aren’t any different than Peter. Peter was an entrepreneur who, acting out of logic and past experiences, tells Jesus that there’s no way he was going to catch fish. The timing of the day was off, the tide wasn’t right, he was tired, the nets weren’t ready… and the excuses went on and on. But Jesus… Jesus had a different outcome for Peter. Luckily, Peter listened, the miracle occurred, a lesson was learned, and the entire church was built on the rock of Peter. Is Jesus telling you to launch that idea? Are you doubting and hesitating to cast out that net because logic doesn’t add up? You’ve been given the instructions, but you’re embarrassed, fearful of defeat, or too tired to give it another go? Like Peter, you probably have many flaws in business, but Jesus wants to work through your faith to show you that anything is possible with him and that he’s going to make your business idea shine bring for all to see. We Godpreneurs have a chance to get it right this time around. Maybe things in the past didn’t turn out the way we wanted, but when. We EXPECT the supernatural to happen in our business; God shows up. Everything in our experiences, logic, or reasoning might be screaming that we CAN’T launch this business, but Jesus has a different outcome. Imagine if we all trusted that God was going to do miraculous things if we picked our nets up and launched it out into the seas to begin receiving our catch. Amen! Godpreneur Rule – Godpreneurs listen to the little voice telling us that, with Jesus, everything in our business can turn around in a heartbeat. #BusinessBibleStudy #ArticulatingMyIdeas Overcoming Obstacles to Launching Your Idea Join Us on a 12-Days Business Bible Plan to learn Overcoming Obstacles to Launching Your Idea. Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

I'm encouraging you today to step out and be bold enough to follow the leadership of God in your business However, we´re cowardly when we let fear control us rather than continuing to follow the leadership of You have to keep your heart safe and free, and if you’re not following the leadership of God for you,

I picked up an amazing tool from a Tony Robbins course that I use weekly. It’s called an “emotional flood.” Essentially, I close my eyes and imagine all the amazing things that have happened to me. It lasts for 5 minutes. Through an audio recording, Tony helps me jog my memory for all the awesome things. Essentially, you shut out the negative and ‘flood’ your mind with awesome thoughts. When our waiting feels like a ton of uncertainty in our business, without answers – much like Noah’s waiting, there is a danger of losing faith that God is listening. If we have these long spans of time in our businesses, it tempts us to question the faithfulness and character of God. We look around our business and there’s no sign that He is answering our prayer. We wonder will he ever come through for us. In these critical moments in our entrepreneurial career, we need a strategy to win while waiting through the seeming absence of God. The Bible says in Roman 5:3 "Paul clings to the only One who can help him. He resolves to believe He will bring to fruition that which he awaits. Then he does something most of us don’t. In the middle of his waiting, Paul chooses to rejoice. Before it is his turn, prior to seeing any evidence that God will answer his petitions, Paul chooses to praise God…anyway". Paul clings to the only One who can help him. He resolves to believe He will bring to fruition that which he awaits. Then he does something most of us don’t. In the middle of his waiting, Paul chooses to rejoice. Before it is his turn, prior to seeing any evidence that God will answer his petitions, Paul chooses to praise God…anyway. Are you suffering waiting in your business? This is the time for an EMOTIONAL FLOOD. Turn on some worship music, flood your heart with praise. Look back at everything He’s done for you as an Entrepreneur, and rejoice and be glad…even while you wait. Maybe your circumstances in business appear to be upside down, but God is always right-side up! Worship and praise Him in the waiting. Wonder in Him while you’re wondering and wandering. Today, don’t ask for much, just praise Him. Get your heart and mind back into the place of faith and expectancy. Let God calm your business anxieties. The flood of emotions will drown out the negative feelings. Your praises will lift you out and up to the throne. Before it is your turn to succeed in business – before anything you have asked comes to fruition, praise and rejoice Him! That’s how you re-center and refocus your mind on the challenges of TODAY. When we can’t see through the waiting; when the big break doesn’t come in; and our competition pummels us with hate until we find ourselves in a desperate place—praise and rejoice anyway! No one or nothing compares to God. He is the last one standing with us in our businesses. He’s always there. So as we wait, we praise Him for that. If He makes our business wait, there is a divine purpose in it. I pray Godpreneurs don’t miss the opportunity to wait with purpose, to wait well! #GainConfidence #BusinessBibleStudy

There is so much need around us in our communities. So many opportunities for our team members to “do good.” And you probably agree with me in saying that we should step up to the plate to serve others, but where do we start? For me, its easy. I started a nonprofit in 2010 that does medical mission trips (www.joseshands.org). I’ve gotten my staff involved in fundraising events, creating marketing materials, and actually going on the trips! Easy for me, I have a nonprofit. But the Bible says in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Our charitable works should not be limited to believers (“do good to all”), but our brothers and sisters in Christ should take priority (“especially the household of faith”). So yesterday I asked one of my team members to put together an acoustic worship night concert at our office and invite our friends at church to come over. I also told her we need to do more game nights with our churches and bring back the activities we used to do. This is serving our churches, the believers. It's not about what my church can do for me, its about what I can do to serve my church with the business resources God has blessed me with. What I've learned from doing these types of events in the past is serving others is a great way to combat entitlement in our employees and foster a thankful attitude. Find a place or activity where your team can serve together on a consistent basis and make sure your local body of believers is included if possible. When you serve together as a family, everyone will be blessed. For example, for Thanksgiving you can go to orphanages together. Make a list with your team. Call a meeting and get them involved. Put things on the calendar and commit to them as the most important things in your business, and don’t let any business problems come in the way of serving. Make serving others, especially fellow believers, a team priority. Looking for daily inspiration? There's probable a blog post that you can relate to!, keep on reading our daily blog posts. #DifferentiatingMyself #FindingMyPurpose

His grace means it’s never too late to have our minds changed. I love reading books that completely rock my world and have me change the way I thought about something. For example, After I read Tim Ferriss’s “The 4-Hour Workweek,” I started hiring virtual assistants and reorganized my business to be able to live more freely. After I read Michael Gerber’s “The E-Myth,” I realized that you couldn’t be both the owner of the bakery, AND the baker. I learned that entrepreneurship is building a machine that others work in, leaving me free to do it again and again. Each one of these books transformed my mind; as a result, my businesses were revolutionized. It works the same for our money. If we want the money in our businesses to be different, then we need all new thoughts to come in and change our minds. If we’re not achieving the level of affluence we desire, it usually has less to do with external factors than with an unconscious inner setting in our minds. But we serve an amazing God that wants to revolutionize our businesses! And His grace means it’s never too late to have our minds changed. The bible says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) See, God’s in the business of transforming your mind and all the patterns the world had set it in. The first step to becoming more financially successful through your businesses recognizes that you inherited those thought patterns and this is why you’re not getting rich. Once you’ve broken the chain that binds you to those worldly thoughts, the next thing you need to do is recognize where those thoughts came from knowing where the enemy had infiltrated. It could be a good idea to fast and pray over the following questions and write down your revelations in a journal: What habits did you learn from your parents? What effects did your parent’s behavior patterns have on you? Which thought patterns do you follow? How much wealth are you programmed to achieve? Which unconscious strategies do you use to keep your account balances low/high? Did hearing “we can’t afford that” all the time cause you to believe that you could never afford anything? Who were your role models and how did they handle money matters? For us Godpreneurs, analyzing our current financial situation through the fact that God desires for our minds to be transformed can be especially enlightening, as it gives us a sense of how our programming differs from what God wants. The amount of money in our business bank accounts shows us how much money we’ve been preconfigured to earn right now. For changing that amount, the mind needs to be transformed. The failure of our businesses reveals how we’re unconsciously geared towards losses. To be renewed with a focus on success, our minds must change. Once we find out how we’ve been conditioned during our self-examination, all we have to do is realize that we have one option. It is crucial to adopt another way of thinking as we draw closer to God and allow our mindsets to be transformed. Flip the switch not to be conformed to the patterns present inside you by the world, and replacing them with new, Godly ones geared towards wealth. Godpreneur Rule: Analyze their behavior patterns on money and ask God for guidance #SharpenLeadership #MakeMoreMoney

The other day I heard great preaching! In summary, the pastor said that the same anointing that’s on a preacher is the same anointing on me and you. He referenced a part of the Bible where both the King and the Prophet were anointed. What I realized was that a prophet has a vision, but can’t do anything without the King going out and making the money necessary to bring the Prophet's visions to life. Follow me here, or you’ll miss something very important: in order for the church to do ANYTHING, they need money…like any other business in the world. So God not only anoints the pastor of your church, but He anoints YOU (the King) to go out and conquer markets, win the battles of business, and bring back the spoils (money) so that…the mission of the church can spread. We think, as entrepreneurs, that in order to give ourselves completely to God and to follow Jesus, we have to let go of our businesses and become preachers and go to seminary school. WRONG. That’s for a select group that has been CALLED to that. You….the entrepreneurs…the Godpreneurs….have been anointed as KINGS and QUEENS of your markets, and it’s your calling to go out and WIN so you can help build your church, so in turn, they can accomplish their mission of spreading the Gospel, which now just became your mission! If we focus on the gospel and the mission of our local church, and less on our success or influence in business, God will do all of the work in bringing you the monies necessary to accomplish that. We see this in the book of Acts. Peter is walking into the temple and comes in contact with a lame (paralyzed) man from birth. This was the exchange: “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:6‭-‬8) It’s easy to think here that Peter healed this man. But the healing came from the power of Christ. Peter’s identity in Christ, and his conviction to spread that word, did all the healing. Peter was being obedient. To have the most meaningful impact, we have to worry about our success and influence less and less, and the gospel more and more. This is why it’s necessary for us Godpreneurs to make big goals that are beyond our own wants and desires. It’s OK to have a goal to buy a home.  But above that, you should be having a goal to contributing at least 10% of your company income to the church. If that goal isn’t present, then we’re robbing OURSELVES of the opportunity to remove layers of selfishness, pride, and vanity that can so easily entangle the entrepreneurs.  Including me. Imagine if we can get to a point in our businesses where we die to ourselves, our desires, and our need to make our own kingdom great. For Christ to increase, we must decrease (John 3:30). Godpreneur Rule #90: We have been anointed to be great businessmen and women who contribute to their local church’s mission. #BusinessBibleStudy #SharpenLeadership

I’m convinced that I stay “on purpose” because I read the Bible every morning, first thing before anything. There’s a strong foundation being built in my life. Additionally, there’s a framework I’m staying within. Both the foundation and framework help me grow within my calling to stay focused on my purpose. If we Godpreneurs don’t have this strong foundation, we might be able to build a small business, but it could never grow because the foundation is bad. If we entrepreneurs don’t have the right framework around our calling, we’ll also fall for anything coming our way. That framework is: Connect regularly with your CEO (God) Involve other Christian entrepreneurs in your growth (community) Control your business thoughts (get on my daily email devotional) Control your media consumption (get off social media, news, and email) Say “NO” to opportunities that don’t make your spirit dance. We Godpreneurs want to build a strong business on a firm foundation like Matthew wrote about in Jesus’ words: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24‭-‬25 NIV) If you’re constantly going from idea to idea, and not finding meaning and purpose in your unique calling, either the foundation is bad, or the framework is bad…or both. Purpose-focused Godpreneurs have: A God-First view of God in their business A clear understanding of their identity in Christ A commitment to the seriousness of being out of line from our calling A sober realization of our weaknesses Vigilance to the ideas and thoughts that most tempt us off our path A strong understanding of what they are born to do Great relationships and accountability with other Godpreneurs who can encourage and challenge them An opportunistic mindset A positive attitude towards business, the marketplace A growing spiritual walk Constant vigilance on our thoughts, and being able to change them quickly A way to weed out people who won’t contribute to your calling The understanding that our calling is more important than any other seemingly great money-making idea out there If everything above checks off and you do have a great foundation and a strong framework, but you’re not living in your purpose, then your calling is sitting right in front of you…you just haven’t pulled the trigger. So, are you ready to finally say YES to your calling… And ONLY your calling? Imagine if we Godpreneurs all trusted that God would provide in our calling and that we wouldn’t need the other distractions?! If you need more help discovering your calling, I wrote a book called Discover Your Calling as an Entrepreneur. It’s available on Amazon. Also, I invite you to be a member of the Godpreneur Academy where I have daily devotional plans on all business subject matters. #BusinessBibleStudy #FindMyCalling

When clients come to me for rebranding, I love to send them ours before and after look book. In the PDF we have compiled the best transformations that we feel will prove to potential clients that we are the firm they should choose to redo their logo and website with. As consumers, we want to believe that the service or product we’re purchasing is going to provide a real change in our lives. Whatever it is we're buying, we are looking for it to take us from one mental state to another. We look for proof of that by going to Yelp or reading reviews on Amazon. And when we find an amazing product, we can’t help but to SPREAD THE WORD!, Right? We are naturally born to tell others of the great service we just purchased! We are a people seeking transformation, but we seek proof to back it up. We are people finding transformation, and we can’t help but to tell everyone. This is why testimonials are very important in business. They give witness to the transformation. I’m reading the book of Acts in the Bible with some friends and we’re on chapter 4. Here we see Peter and John being taken to jail and judged the next day for performing miracles in the name of Jesus. Peter and John both experienced Jesus, saw miracles, received the Holy Spirit, and now they can’t help but to tell everyone about it. "As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) How can we create raving fans in our businesses? I believe that happens once we realize how our business fits into the bigger picture God has for us and His mission in this world: spreading the gospel of Jesus. Once I began to align my company mission with the mission of the church, my business began to change. I treated clients differently, I put more love into my work, I provided more value to my customers, I cared more about their success. I literally transformed in front of many of my clients, who knew that my level of service wasn’t like this before. Now is when I’m beginning to experience true testimonials from my clients. They are genuine and heartfelt. They will refer me clients and help grow my business the natural way. All I have to do is keep on being the change. You too have the ability to do this in your business. Personally, I only know of one way of getting you there: through a true relationship with Christ. You can read my blogs until you’re blue, you can even memorize them. Heck, you can hire me to do your branding…but nothing will change without the power of the Holy Spirit within you that will reveal the true identity and purpose of your business. Imagine if we were all on the same page, of the same spirit, leading businesses of true transformation! Godpreneur Rule #25: A Godpreneur first seeks to be the change. #SharpenLeadership #BusinessBibleStudy

Remember when you were a kid, everyone was always cheering you on. In baseball, coach said I was most likely to improve. Although that was him telling me I suck in a nice way, it was still a Cheerful word to an 8-year-old. In school, my teachers confirmed I could be a lawyer. At home, my mom confirmed I would be an amazing sales person.  It seemed like everyone in the family knew.  In a nice way, they would tell me I can sell ice to an Eskimo. As a teenager, I embraced that and sold candy to my friends at school. And it was no coincidence that when I started at Cornell, I was studying to be a lawyer (what my teachers predicted).  I later changed to a business major (what my parents predicted). But where’s the coach now?  Where’s the teacher?  Where are Mom and Dad? Who’s cheering us on? They are on to the next child, they are worried about their own present problems, and too busy to cheer on a grown adult. As an entrepreneur, someone needs to be speaking into your life; a mentor, a business coach, a fellow entrepreneur. For me, God is where I get my love, acceptance, and value.  I love to read God’s promises to me in the bible. Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. Your Entrepreneur Compass, Alex Miranda #SharpenLeadership

Choosing to be an entrepreneur means choosing to do one of the most difficult yet rewarding jobs in all possible career fields. When I left the corporate world in 2004 to start my own business, it was exciting. A young 22-year-old, naive and ambitious, Alex took it to the streets to hustle a buck. I would never have imagined all of the STRESS I would have to endure. But something amazing happened along the way. I became ‘born again’ and started going back to church. The implications this had on my business would almost immediately be evident. The biggest, and most glorious change, was that I now had the best business partner in the world, God! God came along for the rollercoaster ride, held my hand, and said to me, “Hold on, it's going to be rough, but I’m here to guide you along the way.” This was a huge turning point in my business because I now had a business partner. I could throw my stresses and worries onto…which is one of His main roles. Psalms 20 says: “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.” God has saved my business countless times. He answers my prayers as long as I continue to put my trust in Him. When I’m overstressed, that’s indicative of my lack of trust in God…while He's seeking His next move for me. Some put their trust in their bank accounts, but that fluctuates too much, so then your stress does too. If we want to live more stress-free on the rollercoaster, it’s important to trust in God’s role as your business partner. Others will be brought to their knees and fall, but we will rise and stand firm in our partnership with God. #SharpenLeadership #BusinessPartnerships

People who aren’t entrepreneurs that hear about the suffering that business owners go through and might be confused as to why they would put themselves through the torture. We’ve heard the saying “No pain, no gain.”. This is true for small business owners as well. We need the trials so that we can mature in our business lives…and in our spiritual lives. The bible says in Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” I used to think that suffering was some kind of punishment. That’s one way to look at it. But I choose to look at it as an opportunity to grow because I have a great teacher to learn from. I have this mentality because I’m no longer running a business alone. I’ve partnered with God in my business. So when the suffering comes – and it will come – I can walk with Christ in assurance that I’ll be taken care of and a great lesson will come about. He will never leave us and never forsake us. We entrepreneurs may still suffer at times, but we have “the power that raised Christ from the dead” to enable us to overcome (Rom. 8:11). #SharpenLeadership #EnhanceFocus