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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

For a period of time, I had to trust that God was in my business, even when I didn’t feel any purpose or passion in what I was doing. I do branding. People come to me for logos and websites. It’s not very clear what my calling has to do with logos and websites, but I chose to participate in it as opposed to jumping to another industry or profession because there was more money or because I just couldn’t get into it.  I felt God keeping me exactly where I was at. Discerning my calling includes making choices about my business, as well as learning how to follow God’s leading in the work I do, even if I don’t like it. Boy, I’m glad I made this major discovery in my current business and didn’t try to find a business I think I’d like better. The discovery I’m about to share changed my life forever. What’s going to happen when websites and logos are no longer needed? Or there’s a whole new direction the world is shifting to, and I’m still doing it my way? I can’t be bound to the WHAT of my business. What we do is get you a logo and website. I need to be bound by WHY I do it. Why I do it is to help rid the world of an identity crisis. Business by business, I get to talk about purpose, passion and living in your “born to do” identity. Regardless of the prospect purchasing from me, I have the freedom I experience when I get to do God’s work of helping them realize that He has called them to something unique. When I’m led by my WHY, God is with me in whatever direction my business goes. I’m not bound by a certain product or service. In fact, I’m FREE to do what I choose. The Bible says: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV Whatever my business, God’s gifts enable me to work for the common good, to find more contentment in my work, and/or to overcome or endure the negative aspects of my business situation. It is also possible that God’s guidance could lead me away from a detrimental entrepreneurial venture. In Christ, Godpreneurs have perfect freedom: That means I have the freedom to take risks, to fail, and to make mistakes. I take to heart, in the end, I will not be judged on getting the right logo or website or even fulfilling my God-given potential. I will be judged on how much resemblance I have to Jesus, and I’m grateful my business gives me the opportunity to work on and exhibit that. #FindMyCalling #BusinessBibleStudy

Distractions can prevent us from fully reaching our goals if we let them. The problem with us visionary entrepreneurs is that we struggle to identify which opportunities are distractions because we confuse them with the drive behind which we hope to succeed. What I’ve found is the best defense is a good offense. For us entrepreneurs to be distracted less, we have to do some prep work in our mind and heart. And God is faithful. Although the temptation to be distracted is all around us, we will never be tempted beyond what we can endure! Our success and help will come from God. The bible says: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it". (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) There’s hope for you because God strengthens us and gives us ways out. Here are five ways out I’ve used to help me focus on my calling and listen to the Spirit guiding me step by step. You’re Not Alone First, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. I used to think I was the only one with Shiney object syndrome. It turns out; this is a gift! Being able to spot out opportunities is a gift! But being able to put the idea in the right place is where wisdom comes in. But all of us visionary entrepreneurs experience this and are thus called to be wiser and manage our ideas carefully in the spectrum of time. Our struggles of distraction are normal. It doesn’t mean we are given the green like to execute on them always, only that we are not alone in this struggle. Self-Effort is Impossible You won’t be able to overcome distraction on your own. Instead, we Godpreneurs partner with God in our businesses. The means and the power for overcoming distractions come from God. And in His infinite wisdom, God gave us Jesus as an example of how to be focused on your calling. And God gave us the holy spirit to nudge us in the right direction. We’re not alone, and we don’t have to do this on our own! God’s Power Will Sustain Us As entrepreneurs, we experience so many twists and turns in our business that when a different opportunity presents itself, we’re so weak that we’re tempted to get off of our calling and seek the instant gratification of the following money or avoiding the struggles. As strong as the temptation to be distracted may feel, it pales in comparison to the power of God. Staying in your calling is like putting on a shield of armor because He will not allow you to be tempted or tested beyond what you can endure. We might think it’s time to close up shop on our dreams, but that’s not the fact. Fall More in Love with Your Calling Distractions will be all around you. You won’t avoid them. And we should not pray for God to remove the distractions. That’s not what God promised. God promises that He would provide an escape route. This means that the distractions will be there, but the escape route needs to be the focus. An amazing escape route I’ve set up is to set up my strategic priorities and review them each day. All of my priorities are focused around my calling – to help people discover what they were born to do. So as long as I’m clear on my calling and I continue to refine those skills, I’m providing myself with a wider escape route as time goes on because I’m more committed to my calling. Pray for God to give you wisdom about your purpose and strength to stay in the calling. With these five tips, we can experience a total focus on our calling before the distractions threaten to take us off our path. #FindMyCalling #BusinessBibleStudy

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

Now that I’ve found my calling in business, there are a couple of things I do to continue to fine-tune and cultivate it. Living within my calling is now a lifestyle for me. I’ve changed habits and adopted new ones in order to continue to hear from God. The visions of where God wants me to go are constantly flowing, the spirit is always guiding, and I need to stay alert. As I continue my journey, here are the two major ways I continue to seek God’s will for my business. Draw Closer to God I have practices that I follow in order to stay connected to God. It’s one thing to discover what you’re born to do, it’s another thing to walk down that journey towards the finish line. God gave me the vision and will also be the lamp at my feet to guide me. The Bible says: The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. Isaiah 50:5 NIV Reading my Bible every morning and blogging to you is one great way I stay connected. I’m also trying to get better at praying, resting, teaching Bible studies, and going on short term missions each year. There are tons of ways for us to draw closer to God, these are personal to me. People connect with God in a wide variety of ways; so don’t be discouraged if your primary mode isn’t listed here, or if you haven’t yet discovered how you best connect with God. A Community of Entrepreneurs I’m also in the habit of meeting with a community of Entrepreneurs. I have a close group of friends that meet several times a year at Panera bread to check up on goals. I also participate in Mastermind groups. I’m also attending monthly entrepreneurial workshops to refine my skills. The Bible says: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 NIV The church is also a great place to meet with other Christian Entrepreneurs. God will use anyone you’re in a community with to speak and guide you. My calling is best nourished in the body of Christ, not in isolation. Invest in Resources I continue to invest time and money into growing as a business owner. I love a new app called Blinking. I get to have a 15-minute snapshot of the top business books out there. I’m also an avid Audible book listener. I find listening to books the best way for me to digest massive amounts of content. Godpreneurs: Have a prepared heart to hear from God and follow His leading Invite God to speak in our lives Connect with fellow Godpreneurs to build each other up #BusinessBibleStudy #FindMyCalling #SharpenLeadership

There are certain people I don't want to be associated with on LinkedIn. I either ignore their connection or block their accounts from seeing mine. There are four kinds of business connections on our entrepreneurial journey: those who multiply those who divide those who add those who subtract We know the relationships that add to our work life, and the connections that multiply our joy for business are easy to identify (hopefully me → Daily Godpreneur on LinkedIn). This network of people makes us better. However, the Bible teaches us to guard our hearts and be very cautious of the bad apples in the business world that diminish us and cause us harm. We literally have to RUN away from them. The Bible says "Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Your connection to abusive and angry business people will put you in peril, and you will become less than who you should be. Networking with these people lessens your feelings of self-worth, subtracts from the happiness of being in your calling, and divides the effectiveness of your purpose-focused approach to LinkedIn. Simply put: be careful who you're connected to and what groups you spend your time in. Those who do not increase your calling inevitably will decrease your purpose. To read more articles on LinkedIn, click here. #AttractingRightClients

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

Vision isn’t just about where you see yourself or your company in 3 days, 3 months, 3 years, or 3 decades. Sure, we’ve all done the ‘vision board’ where we put the picture of our future home and car.  I even had a jet on my vision board (which I still want). But have you checked your vision on the system and processes that run your well-oiled machine?  Does your vision for operating your business look like an Ikea one-sheeter teaching you to build a cabinet, or does it look like the blueprint of a Boing 747? Squeaky clean and complicated systems and processes are what keep the profits coming in. Only profits will allow you to create more profit, more jobs and more time for yourself. Your diets need to be complex. Your workouts need to be complex. Your relationships need to be complex. Your business systems and processes need to be complex. Who will manage these complex systems if you can’t?  Well, that’s why you see a dietitian, hire a workout coach and choose a church to belong to.  This helps establish a complex system for delivering results. As for business, you either hire a business consultant to help you build this system and process, or your craft it yourself. You then find the right person(s) to micro-manage your system. Leadership abilities are in the eye of the beholder. Great leaders to some are poor leaders to others. Building a business around systems and processes that produce profit can’t be argued against. Either you have profits, or you don’t. Focus on your vision of systems and processes for your business. #EnhanceFocus

The Visionary Missionary Blog for The World Race Gabe Sanchez Meet my great friend Gabe Sanchez! I have the privilege to know Gabe as a brother in Christ, a friend, and a supporter of his mission field work. God has given him the spiritual gift of Vision, and his vision is HUGE! ENTREPRENEURS:  God has given you the ability to profit so you can be a blessing to the world.  It’s our duty, obligation and responsibility to have the best businesses possible so that we can continue to support the great commission.  If you need a pump up message on this concept, watch Peter J. Daniels. Gabe, I look forward to God using my tribe of entrepreneurs to support your vision! #SharpenLeadership

Is your vision to do good? When your customer gives a testimonial, will they satisfy your vision’s hunger? My vision is for my clients to discover what they were born to do, bring it to life, and tell the whole world! When they testify that I’ve helped clarify their calling in business, the vision is satisfied and my appetite is full. But if my vision is set on making money, possessing more territory or gaining more clients, we’ll always just want more and we won’t be satisfied. Money and territory goals are great, but they are goals and should not be mixed with the vision. Ask yourself: How can I make this world a better place? What will my product or service do for the GOOD of my clients. Start there when setting your entrepreneurial vision. An appetite for good brings much satisfaction! #BusinessBibleStudy #EnhanceFocus

Today is small business Saturday (the day after black Friday in case you didn’t know). And although there is a great positive message behind this day, I can’t help but think that this time of the year will leave many business owners feeling overwhelmed. For me, I’m thinking about marketing plans, product releases, the new year, systems and processes, and so many things at once. Being an entrepreneur is a gift and a curse. The gift is that the ideas come to us so easily and we we’re so excited to make them happen. The curse is that the ideas can sometimes lead us to be overwhelmed. I’ve got pages of Google Docs and countless Evernotes and elaborate Trello boards just full of great ideas. Where do I start? Which one do I do first? Then what’s next? We, entrepreneurs, often feel overwhelmed. But there’s a solution. In the book of Psalms 61:2, King David provides insight for us. He says “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” How often do we cry out for more security (financially) and more strength to deal with the problems of being an entrepreneur. This is when VISION is important. There will be times we will have to be led to a rock higher than ourselves so we can get VISION beyond our present struggles to the future God has in store for us. Sometimes we have to be lifted up to see life from God’s eternal perspective. In this passage, David recognizes the higher “rock” as a place of safety and power and he knows only God can lead him there. Owning a business can sometimes make you feel faint-hearted, but God wants you to use those times to pray to Him for security and strength. James 1:5 says that those who ask will be given wisdom. Wisdom is one way God lifts us visionaries up to the higher rock. Remember, you are never confined to your present situation. Trust God to lift you and your business to a higher place and give you His eternal perspective….your God breathed vision. #EnhanceFocus

One thing I’ve learned in the years of being an entrepreneur: I’m a horrible boss. No, really! I’m a great leader, I can instill Vision and confidence and trust like no other. I’m amazing with brainstorming, problem solving, branding and marketing. But when it comes to managing people, I stink. BUT WAIT…that’s just fine! For years I always thought that being an entrepreneur meant being the boss, and nothing could be further from the truth. Technically, the role of an entrepreneur can be ANYTHING. Here’s what the role of the entrepreneur is, and the same applies to everyone in your organization: everyone should be doing what that are COMPETENT at. If you love to bake, and you start a bakery, you will quickly realize that baking takes a back seat when you have to pay the bills, hire the employees and market your services and products. All of the sudden, the whole reason you started a business (to bake delicious delicacies) is now 4th on the list of priorities, and you find yourself stressed and about to give up. So here’s the solution: 1) make a list of what you love to do, and what you hate to do 2) as fast as possible, partner with or hire someone to do the things you hate doing As a baker, you should be coming up with new recipes, training other bakers, doing quality control, and always be in the kitchen while occasionally coming out to greet the customers only to take a quick survey of how they like the pastries you made. You’re the superstar!! We all need to stop living in levels of incompetence and start living lives of meaning. #SharpenLeadership

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