Hey Sis, Take a journey with me into the Bible and discover these Biblical Pro Tips for Solopreneurs! Yes, it’s absolutely true the Bible teaches you how to be successful in your ministry. The Bible is where you will find everything you need to be a successful solopreneur or entrepreneur.
In Exodus 40, God gives specific directions for building the tabernacle to tradespeople, business owners, and skilled workers; today we’d call them entrepreneurs. Bold statement alert:
Your Godly entrepreneurial journey is infused in your DNAIt’s up to you to unlock the hidden potential and rise to the invitation that God is gifting you.
I’ve never really built anything that hasn’t come out with extra pieces, wobbly parts, or pieces that don’t line up correctly. Building the tabernacle took great leadership on Mosses’ part and detailed execution from the people building it. Mosses, one of the first successful entrepreneurs, instructed a team of entrepreneurs; who worked together to get the job done. They were diligent in their work. The people were obedient to God and showed they had the ability to persevere to reach their desired result. Building the tabernacle was one of God’s early tests for following directions.
Drum roll for….the top 3Biblical Pro Tips for Solopreneurs:
Pro Tip # 1 Teamwork Mentality
Currently, I am an intern with Kathi Lipp. She is a successful entrepreneur who has a thriving ministry of decluttering Clutter Free and helping writers grow at Writing at the Red House. Her ministry is large and growing and she needs a lot of hands to help the vision God put in her heart to thrive. Like Mosses, Kathi Lipp knows light hands make less work. By working smarter, not harder we can see God’s vision come to life.
God gives us the desires of our hearts so that, He is glorified. When Mosses said yes to God; jobs opened up, and skills were sharpened. Do you see how when Mosses partnered with God everything worked out for His glory and the people of Bible times were able to partake in the fruit they all helped to produce in the tabernacle?
Pro Tip # 2 The Ability to Persevere
As a solopreneur or entrepreneur, oftentimes I feel God calling me to just keep going. A lot of times in building my writing career I wanted to give up. I wonder if it was the same back in bible times. The tradesmen were given a task to help with the tabernacle. They were told to trust God. The Bible never tells us these things but I imagine that humans over time have similar concerns…
Is my family ok?
Will things work out?
Should I move forward with this decision?
It’s no different for you and me today. I can remember the days of asking God, If I take this leap of faith will I fail? The thing He keeps reminding me is that when He is in control He will work things out. We don’t need to worry about the how or when just that it will because; He loves us so much. Start believing in God’s ability to provide, and your ability to persevere; and don’t forget to give yourself grace through it all.
Pro Tip # 3 Give God the Glory
When you want to rip your hair out on your entrepreneurial endeavors, try following the details that God lays before you. First, take a step back, pray; and think about the tabernacle. Everyone had to follow directions down to precise detail in order for the vision to be realized. It’s no different than the structure you are building with God whether it be your business, ministry, or family; every detail matters to God. Moreover, because it matters to God it should matter to you too. Let God guide you through the details like He did when commissioning the tabernacle. When you submit the details to Him He will meet you right where you are. He will ease your burden and set you on His path.
At the beginning of my Christian entrepreneurial journey, I wasn’t sure how to use affiliate marketing as a Christian. Did you know, making money and serving God can be simultaneous? A lot of us Christians have had issues with making money on a craft that serves God. However, I have come to realize, if we disregard God in the process of making money, then we have put the service of money over God. Ultimately. God will guide the path He wants for you.
One way God has guided my path as a Christian entrepreneur is through affiliate marketing. Wondering what affiliate marketing is? or How to use it as a Christian entrepreneur?
Here are a 5 ways to use affiliate marketing as a Christian to help your Christian Biz grow.
Affiliate marking is when you refer someone to a product or service; upon purchase, you earn a commission. Essentially, by becoming an affiliate, you are referring people to things that add value to their life. Here are five easy ways to use affiliate marketing as a Christian.
1. Make a list
List out all the sites you like or frequent. Lists help you visualize the services you use. Use paper, a google document, or a spreadsheet. Not sure where to start? Try my free Mega List for Christian entrepreneurs to get you started.
2. Get Your Ask On
Using affiliate marking as a Christian does not have to be scary. It just involves you being able to refer someone to a product or service you like.
Here is the tech side of using affiliate marketing as a Christian:
Step 1. Take the list you created in step 1 then, do a google search for specific companies that you would like to start to earn a commission from. For example, use a company from your list or my Mega List and add the word affiliate behind it.
So, in a google search, enter the words amazon affiliates or WordPress affiliates.
Remember, each company has its policy and directions on becoming an affiliate.
Step 2. Once the company has accepted you as an affiliate, you will be able to post your unique referral code to your social media, website, or email lists.
Thus, asking people to take a peek at something that can add value to their lives. When the customer buys the product or service that you have referred them to, you earn a commission on that sale.
3. Plan Ahead
Planning is important. It helps make everything run smoothly. Having a plan for which affiliates you will promote when is key in not bombarding your audience with so many sales. You want to give your audience meaningful content that serves them and keeps them coming back. Your goal in all this should be prayerfully serving your audience.
4. Keep searching
Once you have your base list of affiliates and you incorporate them into your workflow, be on the hunt for other services, conferences, and products you can promote.
5. Be Relatable
Let your audience know why they need this service. Relate to your audience why you started using the product and how it helped you. Of course, you will always want to try the product before you recommend it (so you can honestly refer to it).
In conclusion, here are five ways to help you use affiliate marketing as a Christian. Make a list, ask, plan ahead, keep searching, and be relatable are ways to help your Christian biz grow, thus helping His kingdom. I can not wait to see what affiliates you come up with to start serving others. If you need help at any time, drop me an email or connect with me about coaching services tailored to you!
Sara is a dark-chocolate, beach lover, wife, and mom of two. She believes every woman CAN live the life God designed you for. Sara is a Christian author, blogger, teacher, and speaker. As a woman of color, she has worked to grow diversity in the Christian writing community. Sara believes we are stronger together in Christ. Through her own personal struggle with self-limiting beliefs, Sara established Faithful Life Ministries in 2016, where she empowers you to live boldly for Christ to live your Godly purpose. You can read her wide range of books, devotionals, and resources on her blog sarachinakwe.com
To my fellow multiple hat-wearing readers to the rest of the world, we are known as entrepreneurs. But we know within the word “entrepreneur” we hold the keys to our future. But what do you do when you are sitting in the driver’s seat, all ready to go and no GPS telling you where to go?
Your frustration might come when you drive around aimlessly or are in the desert for far too long.
When God’s chosen people, the Israelite’s were looking for a new home, they walked around aimlessly in the desert for 40 years. Generations were lost, not listening to God’s plan, which told them how to reach their destiny.
As a result, the fire the people once had when they started on the journey was gone. They started doing things their way.
Have you experienced some of the same things the Israelites did? Are you walking around aimlessly trying to get to the destiny God has for you?
Here are 8 God-leading ways entrepreneurs reach their destiny
A New Day
We are so blessed that every day God renews our graces. It is because God does this with us that we need to do it with ourselves.
Every day is a new opportunity to be more intentional than the day before.
Don’t get discouraged about yesterday, instead focus on the day in front of you.
Are you running from the call?
So many entrepreneurs have given up on their God’s desires a long time ago. It is far easier to walk around aimlessly, even though you know God is calling you to do something else.
God calls each one of us to a life He has chosen for us. For some of us, it’s Christian entrepreneurship. Often, a profession that requires full submission to God.
There are usually two reasons Christian entrepreneurs don’t even start
God is calling you to something so big and scary that you freeze with fear
You don’t know what steps to take to take to reach your destiny
When I first started praying, God, give me the path you want me to follow; He started showing me things that scared me. I tried to erase the visions and tell God this isn’t for me, but in true God fashion, He kept pursuing me.
I was trying to run away from God’s call because I was scared.
Do the Deep Work
After I finally came to terms with what God had for me, I had to do the deep work to get there. I had to shed negativity that was holding me back from who God was calling me to be.
Subscribe to this Faithful Life Ministries website site to start to shed the lies that are holding you back from reaching your destiny.
Looking at yourself in the mirror and taking action is difficult; yet rewarding work. However, if you never start to shed the lies you are holding onto, you will never be able to live in the truth God has planned for you.
Submerse yourself in where you are going
To reach the destiny God has for you, give up the notion that you know everything.
Ask any successful person, and they will have a few things in common
1. Reading to gain knowledge of where they want to go. There is a phrase that says readers are leaders. So pick up a book to help you overcome or gain insight into something they are going through.
3. Success is earned with hard work and dedication. The more you put into something, the more you get out of it. God doesn’t say reaching your destiny is easy instead, He says to submit to Him, and He will show you the way.
Redefine Success for Yourself
Often we get wrapped up in other people’s success for our lives.
When God is calling you to be who He created you to be. God is asking you to rise to your full potential.
So, ask yourself what success look like
For me, it’s helping women to shed the lies to live out God’s truth.
If I have helped just one person rise to success, then I am successful.
Practice Self Care
To get to your destiny, you are going to need to practice self-care. You can’t take care of others if you aren’t taking care of yourself. It’s like when you eat an excess of junk food. As a result, you are either doing things while not feeling good or stuck on the couch. Either way, you can’t take care of anyone effectively at that point.
For many years I thought self-care was selfish. I had a notion that with little kids at home, I should be the only one taking care of them. I would rarely get time by myself. Even though my husband encouraged me otherwise. I finally reached a season of burnout as a result; I had to redefine my me time.
The very reason you need to take care of yourself is so you can take care of others. As Christian entrepreneurs, you play a role in the formation of others’ ability to thrive.
Help Others Along the Way
As a Christian entrepreneur, how can you lead in a way that honors God, yourself, and the people you serve?
By helping others along the way!
When you help, encourage, or teach others how to do the very thing you are striving to accomplish, you build up yourself while building up others around you. What better way to reach your destiny than leaving a dynamic trail for others to follow?
The business of raising people while you accomplish God’s plan for your life speaks volumes to others that will follow in your footsteps.
All great leaders (entrepreneurs or not) have paved the way for others to follow. It reminds me of a line from Maya Angelo’s poem, “I come as one but stand as ten thousand.”
It is going to be hard, but
You must realize being an entrepreneur is going to be hard to get to your destiny. Life often gets in the way. It is normal to feel like giving up and going for easy.
BUT…
When you feel discouraged, remember this is what God wants for you. Who He designed you to be, and because of that, He will always guide you.
When you surround yourself in Him, the once hazy path is clear.
Always remember you are never in this alone.
So Christian entrepreneur, are you ready to reach your destiny? Just remember that every day is a new day for God to give you new graces, don’t run from the call, and let go of the baggage that hinders you from moving forward. Also, submerse yourself in knowledge from others on where you are going, redefine your success, not compared to anyone else. Then, with a healthy self-care system in place, you will be able to take care of yourself and help others along the way. Lastly, realize the journey will be hard at times, but you are not alone.
Sara Chinakwe is a Christian writer who believes every woman has the power to live out God’s plan for their lives. She enjoys helping other women shed the negative lies they think about themselves in order to live out God’s truth. Sara resides in Sacramento California with her husband and two kids. You can subscribe and read more on her blogLivingafaithfullife.com
Ever wonder how some mamas handle the demands of raising kids and venturing out on their own to start a business?
The mompreneur/work-life balance series is all about learning how moms just like you find the time, energy and grace to handle the demands of both roles and more!
This is me
I am a Christian blogger/mompreneur here at sarachinakwe.com who believes every woman has the power to live out God’s plan for her life. I enjoy helping women shed the negative lies we think about ourselves in order to live out Gods truth.
What I really want mompreneurs to know
I am realizing
work+life+business is a balance. It requires focus, planning, structure and
giving yourself lots and lots of grace.
My business is important to me because
I realize my business as a calling from God to serve others, but also to grow into the person God wants me to become.
Systems that equal success
I plan every Sunday
for the week ahead, I write down all that I have to do for the upcoming week
and reassess goals for the previous week. I not only include my time with God
but business and writing goals, I calendar in date nights, appointments, home
repairs, people I want to talk to or catch up with. I am intentional with this
time because I want the connections and things I do outside of planning to be
intentional too.
The best and worst parts of mompreneurship
Sometimes it is hard to stay balanced. The rhythms of life will never be exactly the same so for that, I have to give myself grace every day. Some days I may not meet the goal I set for myself, due to unforeseen circumstances. It is hard for me to stay in the moment when I have a lot going on.
Prayer and quiet time
Prayer in my life and business is everything. Without Gods hand in my life, I would be so confused about the direction to go. He guides me steadily every day and helps prepare the way for me.
Advice for future mompreneurs
I would tell her to pray for Gods timing. If you feel lead to start something do your research, and then prayerfully start! There are so many Christian women in ministry and starting businesses that it is easy to get advice on what steps to take for starting the thing you are called to! Don’t forget to check out the other amazing women featured in the work-life mompreneur round-up post series
Ever wonder how other busy Christian mama’s handle work-life balance?
I’m doing a round-up post series with some amazing women about work-life balance.
I asked Candis from SmartMomBlogger.com these questions about work-life balance as a Christian mom this is what she said…
Candis is a stay-at-home bloggin’ wife & mama of four.
who teaches teach strategic blogging advice to help busy mamas like you grow your blog impact + income.
she also features other successful mom bloggers across all different niches, and have them share their detailed success strategies with you as well!
That’s what SmartMomBlogger.com is all about: making the most of our “blogging time” by focusing on productive and profitable tasks so that we can have the freedom to work from home without stressing about money.
Advice for mom bloggers
Working from home while running a family can be extremely overwhelming if boundaries and priorities aren’t identified and adhered to. Here’s the process I recommend everyone go through:
1. Get clear on your BIG VISION and WHY you want it. What, exactly, do you want out of your business and why? This might seem like an unnecessary step that you can easily skip past to get to work, but if you don’t start with these then it will be way too easy to procrastinate or quit when you’re tired or Netflix is calling.
2. Schedule NON-NEGOTIABLE working hours into your calendar. This might mean you have to wake up earlier or go to bed later. If you miss a work session, you have to make it up that same week. When you work for yourself, it’s easy to make excuses and say you’ll do it later. You won’t. There will always be something else vying for your attention. You have to take your work time seriously.
3. Schedule in regular LEARNING time. When you’re an entrepreneur, you are constantly having to figure out things for yourself. Researching, figuring things out and learning new things can easily take over your entire schedule and keep you stagnant and frustrated. To make sure this doesn’t happen, schedule in research/learning time (eg. taking a course, researching Google, watching a webinar, etc.) into your calendar SEPARATE from your work time. Make your work schedule is dedicated to taking ACTION (writing a blog post, creating a Facebook ad, writing an ebook, etc.).
I love blogging because…
I love being “wife and mom”, so much so that I got lost in those roles for many years when my first babies came along. As time went on, I realized I had a deep desire for pursuing something outside those roles, to challenge myself and make a difference in others’ lives as well. My business fulfills that need.
The Systems
I use many systems to help me manage but the one that I feel is MOST important is compartmentalization of my time. Making sure my work time is work time, family time is family time, and home management time is just that too. When you work from home, it is so easy to just work the day away and ignore everything else that needs to be done. If you don’t compartmentalize your time than soon enough your home and family will become 2nd and 3rd priorities without you even realizing it.
The best and worst parts of work-life balance?
Hmmm, I’ve always thought this phrase was misleading. I think the whole idea of “balance” is somewhat of a myth. I mean, surely you want to make time for it all and fit it all in. But that’s not the same thing as balance. I think it really comes down to identifying your priorities – in writing – and making sure your calendar and schedule reflect those priorities. If you tell yourself that family is your #1 priority, but you’re letting your work spill over into all your family time, then something’s off and it’s time to reflect and reset.
God and prayer time
A must, every morning and throughout the day. I love my work, I love pursuing my passions, but at the end of the day, if God’s not in it then I’m chasing the wrong things. Continual prayer is my way of making sure I’m still on the right track.
Lasting advice for a fellow entrepreneur
Start with your VISION and your WHY. Get crystal clear on what those are. Do your research into what kind of business you’d like to start, pray about it, then take the first step. START. You don’t have to have it all figured out before your start (otherwise you never will!). Everything can be figured out given enough patience, prayer, and grit. So just go for it, mama!
Aha’s from a smart mom blogger
Candis has been an inspiration to me over the years, with wonderful ways mama bloggers can handle work-life balance. She practices what she preaches and moves forward in her life never giving up her dreams. My favorite tip aside from quiet time is the way she schedules NON-NEGOTIABLE working hours into your calendar. This tip has helped me so much with my own blogging, not to flake on myself, cuz I matter! Don’t forget to check Candis out for more great tips at SmartMomBlogger.com.
Sara Chinakwe is a Christian writer who believes every woman has the power to live out God’s plan for their lives. She enjoys helping other women shed the negative lies they think about themselves in order to live out Gods truth. Sara resides in Sacramento California with her husband and two kids. You can subscribe to her blog and learn more about living out God’s truth for your life by subscribing here
Hey sis, have you got the working-life balance thing down?
I’m shaking my head no.
I Feel the balance between working and life is hard!
Here at sarachinakwe.com, there are women just like you who offer support to the working mom, stay-at-home mom and entrepreneurial mom.
I asked Kaylee from mamaandmore.com to explain what work-life balance as a Christian woman means to her…
Meet Kaylee a Jesus follower, mama, freelance writer, DIY addict, and so much more. You’ll find DIY tutorials, totally honest reviews, and lots of tips for making your home fit YOU. Find her at mamaandmore.com
Tell me about your business
I blog at mamaandmore.com, but my primary business is freelance writing. I just started freelancing at the beginning of May, and it’s grown very quickly.
Why is a balanced business so important to you?
When life Happens
I came out of college with a massive amount of debt and a degree I ended up hating. I had no clue what I wanted in a career, but I had just paid 6 figures for the wrong thing. When I had my first baby, it was undeniably more important for me to stay home with her. I am still SO thankful that I made that choice, even though it was hard. A few years later, I started struggling as a stay at home mom for the first time. I now had 2 under 2 and was itching for something outside of motherhood… but I honestly didn’t know what or didn’t understand it. I started my blog, hoping it would help us generate a little extra money to throw towards our debt. I had always loved writing, so it seemed like an exciting project.
The month before I went for it, about 10 different people told me “You should start a blog!” To this day, I have no idea why so many random people told me that. But I believed God wanted me to start it, so I did.
The Blogging world
I ended up absolutely loving the blogging world. However, our family went through some huge challenges and the blog absolutely fell on the backburner over the next year. Actually, the burner was full, and the blog wasn’t even on it. Then, when my husband got hired by Youversion, we moved across the country and an amazing opportunity for childcare fell in our lap. At this point my stay at home motherhood was really not working for me, we were ready to get rid of our debt, and I saw an amazing opportunity in the freelance writing/digital marketing world. I really, really struggled with this decision, but it was crazy how everything fell into place. I really didn’t know if freelance writing or having my kids in daycare would last more than a week, but I trusted what God was showing me and went for it.
This business has changed my life
It’s been 4 months, and it’s undeniably clear that this is what God wanted for us. We are working hard to pay off our debt and set ourselves and our kids up for a financially strong future. My kids are thriving. And I have found what I want to do for the rest of my life. I wasn’t sure this would ever happen! I love what I do every day, and it gives me the flexibility to be there for my family whenever they need it. We also believe God is leading us to start a ministry.
What systems do you have in place for work-life balance…
The most important “system” I have is my time with Christ every single day. I have noticed that if I miss a day, I am significantly less productive. I also had to learn the best way to organize and schedule my day. In the beginning, I would spend every single moment until 5 pm on my computer, pushing myself. As time went on, I found that I was actually more productive if I scheduled breaks and made my workday shorter. My mind needs the rest, and I can get my home ready so that all my time with my kids is quality time.
Best and worst parts of work-life balance?
The best part is the flexibility. I don’t have to ask for time off! I also love working with business owners and solving problems. Now that God has called me back to the workforce, I definitely see how spending time on my abilities to contribute to the world has actually made me a better mom. The worst part about owning a business or working online is that there is no “clock out” button. I sometimes feel like I have tasks to do at every moment, even if I worked all day. Working on my own is hard, too. While it’s great to be my own boss, that also means I am the one responsible for my schedule, goals, deadlines, budget, and management. I have to be really disciplined–which is hard when you’re on your own!
How important is prayer and time for God in your work-life balance?
Absolutely non-negotiable. After my husband takes the kids, the first thing I do is spend time reading and praying. I would have never gotten here without God leading me and providing for me every step of the way, and I need Him at every moment.
Advice for women who wants to start a business…
Make sure it’s the right choice for you, your kids, and your family. Starting a business is no small thing–it will affect everything and everyone! But when God calls you to something, do it. Even though there are ups and downs, He can do more than you could ever imagine!
Kaylee offers us some awesome advice in balancing the art of working and being a Christian woman. My favorite part when she explained that she needs her time with God!
Take the time to check Kaylee out at mamaandmore.com you can find everything from DIY projects and saving money as a mama!
