Search this site

In November 2014, I made a radical move in my business. I stopped serving all nightlife clients. I felt God leading me in this direction. But with that move, I had to cut everyone from my team, leaving just 3 of us. I didn’t just randomly do this. I prayed long and hard on this decision. But I felt God telling me that this was the move to make. As much as it hurt some families that relied on a paycheck from me, I was obedient to God. I had to have faith. It reminds me of a time in the bible when God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to 300 to fight an army of 135,000 Midianites (Joshua 7:7). Seems unreasonable. Why would God do this? God wanted Gideon to know that victory does not depend on strength or numbers, but obedience and commitment to Him. As proof, the Midianite army fell without Gideon’s men even having to fight. I’m not telling you to fire your staff today and start over. That’s what God was leading me towards. What I’m saying is, what is there in your business that seems too hard to conquer? “Midianites” sometimes come in the form of employment challenges, market volatility, or competitive scares that make us feel outnumbered and overwhelmed. Whatever you’re facing, remember that the battle is God’s. Don’t let fear overcome your faith. I had to let go of the nightlife, and it was a huge battle internally. Make your choice for faith and trust that God will fight for you. To read more articles about starting over, click here. #WheretoStartFirst #FindMyCalling

Do you get envious when you scroll through Instagram and see other friends that are entrepreneurs succeeding and seemingly doing amazing things? I’ve always struggled with this because I partly do self promotion and partly do marketing of my company. I dance the line of boasting vs. blessings. Have you been involved in conversations with other business owners and felt yourself swelling with either pride or envy? There’s a difference between boasting about your successes, and being genuinely proud of your accomplishments. One causes envy. The other causes people to look at God. Where does being blessed end and boasting begin? Gal. 5:26 says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” It seems many of us feel the need to validate ourselves through our businesses, yet this is the very thing we are instructed not to do. When talking about our business to others, we might use these passages as a “motive check.” Galatians 6:14 says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Being blessed is the side I stay on and the side entrepreneurs should be on. When showing a clients work, I’ll try not to say “Look at the work we did” but instead focus on the client and their amazing service or product. So the focus isn’t on me, its on my neighbor. When I land a speaking gig or a bit contract or something amazing happens in my business, I try to call it a blessing so people know that it wasn’t all my doing that bright about the success. That takes the pride off of me and puts it on God. Is God glorified when you speak about your business? #FindMyCalling #BecomeDisciplined

I’ve been praised for many things I’ve done as a leader and entrepreneur. Clients have written amazing testimonials and experienced amazing transformations in their branding and marketing. But I’ve also been an object of people’s contempt. Shortly after sending an email blast, I’ll get 3 praises and 1 person upset and wants to unsubscribe. I’ve also been praised by a client, and then that same client tells someone else how displeased they were. People are fickle. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to please everyone all the time. This can include our clients, employees, partners and vendors as well. Many entrepreneurs are intimidated by anger from the people they do business with and, in an effort to please them, they may compromise on boundaries…possibly even be deviated from their path and go down roads they shouldn’t. Funny part is that this rarely results in the respect or admiration they are seeking, however. Instead, they get more anger and entitlement. Weird. Its not weird, and I’ll tell you why. You’re trying to please the wrong person. God asks us to focus on Him by being faithful to what He has called us to do. 1 John 3:22 says: “and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” The most effective way to please your tribe, clients, partners or vendors….is to please God. #EnhanceFocus

I used to go to Gold’s Gym and pump heavy weights. I’d get up to 275 pounds on the bench press. When you’re lifting heavy you inevitably get to a point where you need a spotter in case you get stuck. In a moment when you’re weakest, the spotter comes in to save the day. As a business owner, there are situations that make us feel inadequate because there is nothing we can do to “fix” the situation. Insults being hurled at us by employees who think they can do it better, clients persecuting us for any little mistake, and the hardships that come around with the bank account has $25 left in it. There is nothing you can do because what’s done has been done. But you’re strong enough to get through it on your own. After all, it’s us against them, right? Wrong. Our own sense of strength wants to kick in at these times, and we feel like we need to fix it all….all alone. But the truth is that this is when God wants to partner with us the most. This is when God wants to spot you at the gym, help you lift the heavy burden so you don’t do it alone. I like troubled times because its when I can embrace my need for God. Its when I feel God the most. Its when I can experience His presence in my business. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Let your weaknesses become an opportunity to call towards the real source of strength: dependence on Christ. #EnhanceFocus #SharpenLeadership

I own a web and graphic design company. There are so many ways to make money in this business. There are tons of markets I can focus on and hundreds of niches I can specialize in. But which one focuses on my entrepreneurial purpose? When someone asks me in my business, “How are you guys doing?” I say I’m busy. I’m balancing different clients, services, vendors, employees on top of my personal life. When I focus on these things and not laser-focused on my entrepreneurial focus, all of this does seem BUSY. But what I’ve been learning lately is that if I were to stay focused on my entrepreneurial purpose, life wouldn’t seem busy; it would seem rewarding. See, my purpose is tied to my obedience to God and what He created me for as an entrepreneur. So focusing on my purpose really gives everything an eternal perspective, not a day to day view. Day to day, we are busy bees. But eternally, we can rest in the fact that we are living our purpose. Our business is in vain if it is not focused on the Lord. Let your business actions today be a reflection of your true entrepreneurial purpose on earth. #FindMyCalling #FindingMyPurpose #EnhanceFocus

I’m not sure if I told you, but I stink at managing people. Its something that doesn’t come as natural as marketing does. I have to constantly work at it because as an entrepreneur, you’ll always be in situations of managing people. And with management, inevitably you have to discipline people. Someone is going to screw up. I’m not sure if I’ve met someone that loves to discipline people, so I’m sure it’s a touchy subject. I know some are better than others at it. Can we admit that sometimes we’ve blown up and handled a disciplining moment horribly wrong. How would God want you to discipline employees? Well, the same way He disciplines me and you. PROVERBS 3:11-12 says “My son, do not despise the Lord ’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” These verses show entrepreneurs what their attitude should be as they discipline their employees. Notice that God loves and delights in his children even as He corrects them. His discipline is not intended as harsh punishment, but as a loving act to encourage growth and maturity. And don’t we want our employees to grow? But sometimes, however, we react in ways that are designed to meet OUR needs instead of recognizing the bigger purpose of our discipline in growing our businesses. We can avoid being reactive if we come up with a game plan in advance. 1) When you are calm, think of appropriate consequences for the ways your employees are likely to disobey or mess up. 2) Recognize your weak areas (a tendency to rescue, lecture, or yell) and think of alternative ways you could respond. I have a tendency to NOT discipline at all because I don’t like confrontation. Instead I do the job myself and avoid the gut wrenching conversations. A discipline that is delivered calmly, consistently, and empathetically will be less likely to receive a rebellious response. Discipline helps employees grow when it is delivered with empathy and love. #BecomeDisciplined

There’s a lot of decision making when you’re an entrepreneur. I’m constantly making decisions: what’s my next move, who do I contract, who do I call next, what’s most important on my to do, how do I close this deal, where can I get a better deal? And if you’re like me, you’re probably making these decisions alone. This is dangerous for me and you. One IS the loneliest number when it comes to business. The bible talks about there being wise counsel in the multitude. So I have a couple of coaches that I rely on. But the bible also says that if I rely on God and His wisdoms for my business, its like building a house on a rock. When the problems come, I’ll still be left standing. Years ago I made a commitment to strengthen my relationship with God. In making that commitment, I was entering into a partnership that would allow me to have wise counsel whenever I pleased. Are you making business decisions based on what YOU think is good to do, or are you praying and talking to God and reading His Word to find out what HE wants you to do? So that’s what we need to start doing. My commitment in 2015 is to know God better by spending a set time each morning in prayer and meditation, to LISTEN to God’s vision for me, and to FOLLOW THROUGH with what He tells me. #FindMyCalling #ArticulatingMyIdeas

How do you listen to God in your business? How can you hear what God says about your next big move? Answer:  Read the Bible Every Morning When I’m reading, something will pop out about a decision I’ve been praying about and dealing with at my business. The Bible is made up of a whole bunch of books written by a whole bunch of different people. But God inspired every person as they wrote. So when you read it, you’re reading things God wants you to know. Don’t know where to start? SHARE ON INSTAGRAM I either use devotionals, a bible reading plan on YouVersion, or pray about what book to read in the bible and let the spirit guide you in the right direction. It’s going to take practice for you to learn how to hear what God is saying to you. And the more you practice, the easier it will get. Are you interested…..or are you COMMITTED to hearing from God? Entrepreneurs: When you make a habit of reading the bible, you’ll know God better. You’ll feel closer to Him. You’ll feel connected. You’ll make wiser business decisions. And that’s how you let God be your business partner. #WheretoStartFirst #LaunchingMyBusiness

The other day I was in the hotel lobby bar having a mineral water and dessert when a man comes next to me to order a drink from the bar tender. Down the bar he catches a glimpse of an attractive woman. He nudges me and says “take a look at that one.” I glanced, smiled at the man, and continued eating my dessert. Some years back I might have engaged in this man scan of the bar, but things are different now. There’s a lot of habits I had to start changing when I decided I was going to let God be my boss and my company’s CEO. I realized that I had a new responsibility to be an example of a changed leader to my employees, clients and vendors. What if that man that nudged me was a potential client, who later on would find out I’m a believer and married. He wouldn’t have not done business with me, but I wouldn’t have been able to be the best light possible in his life. My change as a Christian entrepreneur wasn’t overnight, and sometimes I still say a curse word or two, but its dramatically less than before. But I didn’t realize this right away. For a while, I was going to church and doing the right things outwardly, but inside I hadn’t fully built my trust in Christ. Instead of being a “light in the world”, I was behaving like an unbeliever. We may profess a deep trust in Christ, but what we truly believe will emerge in our words and attitude. Take a moment to consider your conversations with other entrepreneurs. What characteristics would stand out to them? Do you have a tendency to gossip, argue, curse, or complain? If so, you may want to reevaluate the source of your contentment. Problems will arise in business, people will make you upset, there will always be an opportunity to lose your cool. As Christians, we have an eternal hope in Christ that allows us to face the challenges of life with calmness and peace. If you find yourself relying on favorable business circumstances or the actions of employees to bring you happiness, ask God to strengthen your faith in Him. Let your words and actions reflect the love of Christ in your business life and be a light to your employees, prospects, vendors, and other entrepreneurs. #DifferentiatingMyself #EnhanceFocus

I can’t remember the last time I said “Thank you God, for blessing me with the gift of entrepreneurism.” As Godpreneurs, we believe we’re on this earth to accomplish a duty and obligation God has set before we were born. But our hearts are still deceitful. It helps to ask ourselves, “Why do I serve the Lord?” Is it to gain His favor, earn His blessings, impress others with our “godliness”, or avoid His wrath? Or is it because He commands me to do it? As entrepreneurs are bombarded with the demands of life on earth, mainly financial demands, we often lose sight of the eternal perspective. I started a new routine in the mornings to help keep me aligned. Start your work day by recognizing who He is and what He has done in your business. This will help you obey Him not from a robotic sense of duty, but from the overflow of thankfulness that is in your heart. Be a Godpreneur because you love God above all things…even over the financial gains. #StrengthenIntegrity #SharpenLeadership

If I don’t get my bible reading done first thing in the morning, something is ‘off’ for the rest of the day. And if this happens for 2 or 3 days in a row, call the psych ward on me because I’ll be loony. Have you noticed when you don’t spend time reading God’s word, you feel less connected to Him and it is harder to run your business? Before long, your routine is off, your vision is off, your resolve and drive is off, the influences of the world grow and you, and your ability to say “no” to temptation, weakens. In the book of Proverbs 29:18, the author writes: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Here’s the deal: Reading the Bible every morning REVEALS to me things I need to be reminded of that helps me stay in check. That’s the simple truth. The Godpreneur is building their business under the CEO directive of God. That means the first email you have to read every morning is the memo God sends you. That memo is going to come from the bible reading. Many times we want to experience God’s power in our business without investing the time to build a relationship with Him through Bible study and prayer. It is easy to postpone these things because of our busy entrepreneurial schedules, and then wonder why our business and personal lives feel out of control and chaotic. The truth is we make time for the things that are important to us. No matter how busy we are, let's make our relationship with God our top priority. Maybe you’re not there yet. Maybe you haven’t incorporated Bible reading into your morning routine. Do you have a morning routine? That’s the theme of a whole different blog... For now, nurture your relationship with God by starting your morning off with reading….your daily memo from your CEO…God. #LaunchingMyBusiness #StrengthenIntegrity

I witnessed a lot of miracles in my business. I could write blog posts for days on this, but the best ones I remember came in the area of finances in my business. There would be times when we needed to make payroll and by some miraculous way, a client that owed money for a long time ends up paying the day we needed it. This happened a lot! I understand that it's difficult to think straight with looming bills and uncertainty. We all have a tendency to forget the miraculous ways God has worked in our businesses. In the midst of difficult circumstances, we doubt Him instead of focusing on His faithfulness in the past. Ultimately, this lack of trust could potentially cost us the privilege of leading a team and having a successful business. God can shut us down unless we learn to trust God. Do you really trust God? Most of us find it much easier to trust when things are going well, but when things are difficult, our faith in Him can be tested. In these times, it is important to remember when God sustained your business through difficulties. I think about the times sitting down with the accountant who is trying to figure out where monies will come from. My faith was strong, and I would tell them that my God comes through for me. The next week I’m smiling at the meeting because God came through. Psalms 143:5 says “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Remembering those faith stories will help your business maintain an attitude towards God that is positive and anticipatory. #GainConfidence

When I first started my company in 2005, I had no experience with building a solid team. I had read it in books, taken a couple of organizational behavior classes at Cornell, but I was pretty much starting from scratch. 10 years later, I’m asking myself what would I have done differently knowing what I know today. For one, the first 4 years of my business I didn’t believe in God. The business life of the unbeliever is futile because I lacked eternal significance. I was motivated by selfish desires and self indulgence, which eventually led to my hardened heart. The basis of my thinking was “others exist for me.” In 2008 I began my walk with God again and learned that, as believers, we are called to show our love for God by selflessly loving others. While this is contrary to our sinful nature, it is the very thing that began to distinguish the seasons of my business. It has taken me years to shed off selfishness, and I still work at it daily. It’s easy to love clients because they pay the bills. Its tough to love employees that are seen as a cost of goods sold. We have many opportunities (and a responsibility) to demonstrate this principle of selfless love to the people closest to us – our employees. Unfortunately, we often use our business knowledge to manipulate each other, pursuing what we want rather than showing God’s character through us. Businesses should have a poster of Ephesians 4:25 in the employee areas that remind us that “we are all members of one body” and that unity is promoted when we think more of our business family than of ourselves. Stay connected to your employees by loving selflessly and having a servant’s heart. This is a regret of mine that I didn’t learn early on, but I leaned through painful errors. #SharpenLeadership

My graphic design company used to do flyer designs for strip clubs. Hey, they need to promote too! And business was good. They spent a bunch of money. But as I began to walk in my faith, I felt a conviction about doing work for gentlemen’s clubs. Not so much my own conviction, but the example I was setting for my team. Your team, customers, vendors or contractors will learn more from our actions than they do from our words. It shouldn’t surprise us that this is a biblical concept. James said, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (Jas. 1:22 NIV). And although nothing in the bible says don’t do graphics for strip clubs, I felt that by taking a hard stance against having them as clients, I was letting my team (and the client) know that my business didn’t need that money to continue to succeed. This applies to how you speak and act towards others. Are you a jerk? Do you lose your patience easily? Do you curse a lot? Yet you go to church on Sundays and want to invite your team with you?! Our actions demonstrate what we really believe and our team looks at our example when weighing the truth of our words. Model godliness for your employees, vendors, contractors and clients. #FindMyCalling #AttractingRightClients

Being an entrepreneur is akin to a roller coaster ride. When times are good, you’re on top of the world. The ride up is exciting! Success feels so great at the top. But when the drop comes, and as sure as the day is long it will come, hold on tight. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this rollercoaster is THANKFULNESS. It is so easy to take credit for the big sale, the huge contract, the amazing new partnership, the hot shot acquisition. But, we must not forget (or let our employees forget) that all of our business successes are blessings that God, in His grace, allowed us to have. And I’m THANKFUL for that, when times are good, bad, happy or sad. But you’re too successful when you forget to give credit where credit is due. We have to learn to put a filter through the good and bad things that happen in our business. If we see it all as a blessing from God, we protect ourselves of the pride of ownership that can come when you’re an entrepreneur. Deuteronomy 6:12 says “be careful that you do not forget the Lord , who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” On Instagram I read a lot of memes that have awesome “success” quotes. Most are very inspiring. But despite what these quotes may make us think, we have not earned our entrepreneurial blessings. There are other small business owners in less fortunate parts of the world who are far more deserving, but God did not choose to bless them as abundantly as me and you. Others have worked harder for less, yet still humbly accept the blessings God gives them as more than they deserve. When on the roller coaster of business life, remember always to humble yourself and thank God for the blessings He gives you and your business to continue growing to accomplish your mission. #EnhanceFocus