Dear Woman in Business,
Let’s begin with what no one tells you enough: You’re doing an amazing job. It’s not just about the meetings you strive to attend, the money you make, the boldness it takes to register a name, draft a proposal or even pitch your ideas. It’s about the courage it takes to keep going when doors close, invoices delay, your confidence is literally hanging by a thread, and the integrity you show up with when no one is watching.
Maybe you’re still at the initial phase where you’re a one-woman-team. You’re the woman behind the brand, the face behind the storefront, the strategy behind the sales, the hand signing the cheques and still doing the manual labor. Whew! We rarely speak about how lonely it can be, especially when you’re building from scratch. No one tells you how you’ll sometimes look at your account balance and wonder if you made a mistake. Or how friends and family might not understand your drive. How they’ll see you “working for yourself” and assume you have all the time in the world, not knowing that in reality, “self-employed” means “always working.” You’re trying to find the balance between pricing and affordability, and between visibility and values. Some months look great on paper. Others barely make payroll. You wonder if you’ll ever break even or break through. On top of all that, social media has you questioning if you’re too slow, too old, too quiet or too different. By now, you would agree that this isn’t as glamorous as it seemed.
Your spreadsheets may not show it but beyond creating revenue, you’re sowing seeds of eternal consequence. The woman you encouraged, the young girl who’s watching how you practice stewardship and believes she can, the employee whose self-esteem is restored because you spoke life, the sales-girl whose rent has been sorted, these things don’t reflect on graphs but heaven has taken note of them. Maybe this month didn’t meet your expectations. Maybe you’re wondering if you misheard God. Maybe you’re considering going back to a “safe” job, giving up on the vision or settling for something more predictable. Please don’t make permanent decisions from temporary exhaustion. Seek for counsel. Get perspective. Develop a strategy and structure to work with. You’ll find a way. You’ll see. Sometimes, success starts by staying faithful to five clients who eventually make referral to fifty then five hundred and on it goes. Sometimes, it also looks like shutting down for three months to restructure. So don’t give up too soon. Your current phase is part of the story.
In the business world, there’s the value/product and there’s the structure that sustains the business. Some people are more gifted in strategizing to promote sales and some are more gifted in enhancing the value or product. Whichever the case for you, wisdom is crucial to master both areas. You’re not just building a business, you’re stewarding your calling. And callings are costly. Budget. Plan. Pay your taxes. Let your backend be as clean as your branding. Whether you’re a caterer or a creative, a consultant or a content creator, let your values preach louder than your logo. Create systems that honor your clients and as much as possible, respect your time. You are not running a charity unless that’s your actual business model so don’t let emotional manipulation or the fear of being misunderstood keep you from charging what your product or service is worth. It’s not humility to undervalue and undercharge for the work you’ve invested time and resources into, it’s mismanagement. And that’s what God frowned at in the story of the talents. He will bless what you manage, not just what you pray over.
It’s scriptural to be prosperous so prepare to walk through multiple blessings and enjoy the fruit of your labor. But in your pursuit or wealth, don’t forget that not every open door is of God. Some doors are distractions presented as opportunity. Some are shortcuts that bypass due processes and tarnish your name eventually. Your name is a seed, don’t spend it cheaply. It’s your currency and credibility. It can give you access to rooms where you know no one. That’s why the Bible says “a good name is better than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). Don’t lend your name to just anything. Pray, discern and do your research before you accept collaborations. When you’re presented with deals, invitations, partnerships or job offers, ask yourself:
Will this cost me my peace, my integrity or my witness?
Am I compromising my convictions to gain this?
One way to know it’s a trap is when it makes you shrink your faith and silence your voice just to be accepted. And in those moments, may you have the courage to say No.
There are women like you quietly building and generously pouring out to others in the process. Find them and build a community with them so that you can strengthen yourselves and empower others in the process. Find mentors who won’t just show you how to scale but how to stay in faith and in alignment with God even as you do so. Let the Holy Spirit be your business partner, not just your emergency contact for when you’re in crisis.
In all you do, may your hands be blessed beyond measure. May your discernment stay sharp. May your business outlive trends and timelines. May you build empires and dominate your industry. May your name be known not just for success but for substance. And may you always remember that your worth is not in the work of your own hands but in the God who gave you those hands.
With strength and solidarity,
Women of Purple
