Stories of Light - Faith in Business, Christian Coaching

16 | Breaking through Limiting Beliefs with Candi Williams

When you feel like your call in life shifts in a way you didn’t expect, it can be easy for it to get into your head that makes you think, “I can’t do this. I can’t grow this way.” But God always equips us with the call. Belief and behavior are the foundation of faith, and when we lean into that, He can help equip us with the skills we need to succeed.

Joining me this week is Candi Williams, Associate Director of Paid Media at Ramsey Solutions. I’m so excited for you all to hear from her because that company helped me so much from when I used to be deep in debt to now debt-free. She’ll share her own financial experiences working with the company, and how its mission has given her the opportunity to remove herself from a place of self-doubt to grow into a position that better serves others.

So long as you’re hungry to learn and willing to humble yourself, you can open yourself up to doing things you never thought you could before. Learn more by tuning into this episode!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Candi’s relationship with her faith growing up and its big turning point
• How getting started with Ramey Solutions helped her achieve financial peace
• Tools aspiring entrepreneurs can integrate into both their faith and business
• What she feels the Lord has put in her heart for her future
• How she finds time for herself despite her full-time job and two sons

 

Connect with Candi:

• Instagram | @candiwilliams
• Website | Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
• Check out the book "She Works His Way" by Somer Phoebus and Michelle Myers on Amazon!

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you in our next episode!

15 | Rediscovering Our True Path with Dara LaPorta

“Whether you are at the beginning of your journey in business or five to ten years in, you should be able to pull back on the reins.”

Those are the wise words of my next guest, and in a time where society allows this “hustle culture” to stay afloat, these words have never been more relevant. There’s this expectation that we need to have everything figured out almost immediately, to live up to certain expectations brought upon us that we end up losing sight of the Lord’s true mission for us.

 

I have the pleasure of introducing Dara LaPorta, health & fitness coach, wife, mother, and self-described Jesus lover. After losing herself on the road to motherhood, she realized that something needed to change and returned to her love for fitness, where she found a newly ignited purpose and discipline that has transformed her mind and body which she now uses to help others for His greater glory.

The Lord always has a plan for us, but it is when we allow ourselves to slow down and surrender ourselves to him, do we allow those seeds of opportunity to grow. So make sure to join us for this eye-opening conversation!

 

Episode Highlights:

• The loss and search for her identity after college
• Figuring out what her true mission is against what the rest of the world says it should be
• Walking is an act of faith and surrender to God
• Identify the few things you can commit to doing consistently for your business
• What’s in store for her as she enters a new season

 

Connect with Dara:

• Instagram | @daralaporta
• Check out the books “Invitation to Solitude and Silence” by Ruth Haley Barton and “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer on Amazon!

 

Scriptures Mentioned:

• Hebrews 12
• James 1:5

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you in our next episode!

 

14 | Open Ourselves to New Seasons of Growth with Stefanie Gass

Have you ever struggled to find your calling or you felt as if your life lacked meaning? I’ve been there as well. Even when things are good, life can always pull the rug out from underneath us unexpectedly. But even in the face of uncertainty, we shouldn’t be afraid of surrendering ourselves to the Lord. 

This week, I have the pleasure of interviewing Stefanie Gass, host of her very own show, The Stefanie Gass show, and my podcast coach. She is someone very special to me and has been guiding me just as the Lord guided her when she found herself at rock bottom many years ago. She shares with us how she managed to rebuild herself upon a foundation of newfound faith and purpose to use her gifts to bless others.

She has so many other wonderful insights to share not only as someone who has successfully integrated faith and business together but also as someone who experienced failure. So tune in and enjoy the show!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Stefanie’s initial workaholic lifestyle and reaching her major breaking point
• The aftermath and the moment God turned into her new source of strength
• Use your gift of discernment to open yourself up to opportunities for growth 
• Rebuilding her toxic relationship with social media
• Your business can still grow outside of social media  

 

Connect with Stefanie:

• Website | Stefanie Gass
• Instagram | @stefaniegass
• YouTube | Stefanie Gass
• Facebook | Stefanie Gass & Team 

 

Scriptures Mentioned:

• James 4:3

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

13 | Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity Through Faith with Brock Johnson

The only thing that’s always certain about life is that nothing is ever certain. Uncertainty is an enemy for many, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. “God works in mysterious ways” is a saying many of us are familiar with during times of difficulty, and for my guest, this could not be any more true. 

Brock Johnson is an entrepreneur with a specialty in network marketing that helps small owners achieve organic growth on Instagram. He’ll be sharing with us how his unexpected connection with God led him down a different path and created it into an opportunity to give back to others. Additionally, he’ll share his insights for those unsure of taking that first step into business and the importance of being compassionate to yourself.

Don’t forget to tune into this week’s episode! Remember, whatever the hardships and disappointments, God’s plan will always be greater than all of it.

 

Episode Highlights:

• How Brock’s childhood sparked his entrepreneurial spirit
• The beginning of Brock’s faith journey and where it’s led him
• How he grew a business working alongside his mom
• His insights on integrating faith with business
• God’s plan for him: from football player to entrepreneur
• Rejecting the idea of perfection and confronting fears

 

Connect with Brock:

• Instagram | Brock Johnson
• Website | Instaclubhub 

 

Scriptures Mentioned:

• Romans 8:28

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

12 | Achieving Success Through Genuine Service with JoDee Watkins

When getting into business, we end up mostly thinking of what we want for ourselves-- how is it going to benefit me? What do I get out of this? It’s not inherently wrong to look after one’s wellbeing, but we can forget that business is also a form of service to others in itself. 

For this episode, I am joined by JoDee Watkins, an avid listener of the podcast and a top leader at her company, Rodan + Fields. She will be sharing with us her personal journey into the world of business, how it’s changed her as a person and allowed her to create new opportunities for others. Despite the trials and tribulations, her faith and trust in our Lord gave her the strength to succeed. 

Join us for this episode as we re-evaluate what it means to be truly successful.

 

Episode Highlights:

• JoDee’s childhood and the beginning of her relationship with God
• Her marriage and family
• How her trust in God led her to join Rodan + Fields
• Her trials and experiences while building her business
• The people who inspire her 
• What she learned and her advice for others in the business

 

Connect with Rachel:

• Instagram | JoDee Watkins
• Facebook | Jonathan and JoDee Watkins
• Website | Rodan + Fields
• Website | Pet Commander Kennels
• Website | Given Wings, Inc.

 

Scriptures Mentioned:

• Romans 8:28

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

11 | Integrating Faith and Business with Sara Davies

Faith in God is perhaps something that is being heavily neglected nowadays, especially in the world of business. As long as you get your cash then nothing else really matters, but my guest here thinks differently on the matter.

For today’s episode I would like to introduce you all to Sara Davies, she is actually my mentor in the company I work for, but more importantly she has shown me how to integrate faith into business. She will be sharing with us how her faith in God has helped her with her business, as well as the struggles she’s had to deal with. 

If you’ve been feeling stuck with the work that you’ve been doing, then this episode might just be for you. So tune in, listen up, and enjoy the show. 

 

Episode Highlights:

• Sara’s early life and relationship 
• Sara’s relationship with God 
• How Sara’s faith with God helps her lead her organization 
• How Sara deals with faith, family and business 
• The obstacles Sara faced in building her business 
• Sara’s missionary experience in Arizona
• Sara’s vision for the future 

 

Connect with Sara Davies 

• Instagram | Sara Davies
• LinkTree | Sara Davies 

 

Scriptures Mentioned 

• Matthew 11: 28-30
• James 1:2

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

10 | The Lord’s Timing is Always Perfect with Kelly Nordfelt

Reaching out is advice we give quite often when we hear about people going through something tough in their lives-- but do we actually do it as often as we should? Today I really wanted to focus on Kelly’s story, a dear friend of mine that found success in Network Marketing which then supported her in providing adequate help for her and her family.

In this truly emotional episode, Kelly shares with us what she and her family have been through-- from fighting multi-generational depression, to building that financial support network for her and her family.

Be sure to listen into this episode and find out just how Kelly powered through!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Kelly’s college years, meeting her husband and starting a family
• How she felt about and started in network marketing
• Having Christ at the center of her life, her source of motivation to keep going
• Kelly’s moments of heavy depression, and getting the help she needed
• Substance abuse in their family
• Giving her daughter the help she needed, even if it meant a lot of money
• Finding solace in her community, raising Suicide Prevention and Awareness

 

Connect with Kelly Nordfelt:

• LinkTr.ee | Kelly Nordfelt
• Facebook | Kelly Nordfelt

 

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

 

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

There was only one set of footprints.

 

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

There was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

 

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

9 | Timeless Lessons Learned with Nell Patten Roquemore

Today is a very special and personal episode to me. For our session today, I’ve invited over my grandmother to share with us a whole bunch of important life lessons she’s accumulated and learned throughout her 97 years on God’s green earth. From growing up with a love for music, to taking inspiration from her husband and dedicating her life in service of others-- all for the glory of God.

Be sure to listen in as this episode features her commencement speech for the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, sprinkled with little inspiring stories from her life!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Nell’s childhood, growing up in the arts-- particularly music
• Her marriage and meeting her husband, Bill
• Getting involved with her community, becoming a community leader
• The Milltown Murals and “Lila”
• Her message for people contemplating marriage, the 3 A’s and 3 C’s
• It is never too late for change

 

Lessons I Have Learned Through the Years by Nell Patten Roquemore

 

Through the years, I have learned a few valuable lessons that I want to share with you. Hopefully, you graduating students may find them helpful in starting out your adult life. 

I was born in 1924 in Milltown, before it became Lakeland. As a child, I was painfully shy. As a teenager, I was still very shy, especially with boys. Had it not been for a boy named Bill Roquemore, I probably would have ended up an old maid. Bill and I had a blessed marriage, although it was not perfect, and we added considerably to the population of Georgia and South Carolina.

Music has always been an important element of my life. My mother started me in piano lessons when I was about six years old. When I was ten she decided I should learn to play the violin. At age twelve I played at my first wedding. At about thirteen I played at my second wedding: Ellene Jones and Monroe Atkinson. Sixty-five years later I played at Monroe’s funeral. I am still playing at church every Sunday, and occasionally at weddings and funerals. 

I have enjoyed attending the ABAC Concert Band performances for the past several years, and am impressed with the quality of your music program. I hope that those of you who have performed in the various ABAC musical events will keep your talent alive throughout your life. Music provides a constant joy to your everyday existence.

One lesson I have learned is that big things can happen where there is encouragement and cooperation. 

Getting back to Bill Roquemore: He was my devoted husband as well as my mentor. As a World War II B-26 pilot, he had assumed great responsibility while still a teenager. He became a citizen of Lakeland a few years after we married, became editor of the Lanier County News, and turned into an outstanding community leader. He encouraged me to take part in community and civic affairs, while raising our five children and working full-time.

My first effort, at Bill’s suggestion, was to organize a county-wide cleanup campaign. Under the auspices of the Lanier County Garden Club, county agent John Strickland and I co-chaired an organization that came to be known as “Lila”, standing for “Let’s Improve Lanier’s Appearance.” John was the husband of ABAC’s beloved journalism professor Helen Strickland.  We recruited a representative of each target area, such as churches, cemeteries, old abandoned cars, roadsides, schools, etc. The committee met regularly and scheduled a certain week to concentrate on each phase of the campaign. Because of the enthusiasm of the committee and profuse publicity in the Lanier County News, the campaign was hugely successful and won state and national awards.

Although “Lila” is now forty-eight years old, her very small committee still meets monthly. You may have seen our “Milltown Murals” in Lakeland. That project was initiated by “Lila”, who continues to grow, maintain, and underwrite the murals.

My employment history included school teacher, clerk of the draft board, medical secretary at Moody Air Force Base, and Lakeland postmaster.  After my retirement as Postmaster, Bill decided I should run for city councilman, which I did, serving two years as chairman of the sanitation committee.

I have learned that preserving family history is extremely important. One of the most rewarding projects of my life was compiling a family history, “Roots, Rocks and Recollections.” That led to compiling a county history, “Lanier County: The Land and Its People.”  These two books have proven to be well worth the nineteen years I spent working on them.

I have learned that golf is an important sport. Bill and I had thought, like many non-golfers, that chasing a little white ball around for half a day was a foolish waste of time. Bill was forced to take up the game when he started building golf courses. It was not long before he was hooked. Soon, I took up the game, and we played regularly for many years. Through golf, we renewed old friendships and gained new friends who enriched the rest of our lives. Incidentally, it’s pretty good exercise if you walk a lot.

Some of you in this graduating class will soon be contemplating marriage. There is a wonderful rule for a successful marriage that I learned too late to apply to my own marriage but I urge you to make a note of it: The three A’s: Affection, Admiration, and Appreciation.

And then there are the three C’s, which I learned from my son Jim, who had taken the Dale Carnegie Course as a young man and found it of great benefit in his life and career. The three C’s are: Don’t Criticize, Don’t Condemn, and Don’t Complain.

Two important lessons I have learned through the years are easy:  Smile at people and always say “Thank you” when it is deserved.

It is never too late to change your direction. I had joined the Baptist Church at age 11 at a revival, along with my sister and brother and 13 others, mostly children. Bro. Johnny Harrell baptized us in the southeast corner of Lake Irma. I have gone to Sunday school and church for many years. But something was lacking in my spiritual life. Three and a half years ago, at age 89, I asked the Lord to come into my heart and take complete charge of my life. I wish I had done that a long time ago.

I like Dr. Wayne Hanna’s favorite scripture: Psalm 37: 4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

8 | Entrusting The Lord in Business and Life with Heather Shriver Burns

After being surprisingly connected by a mutual friend, today I’m joined by Heather Shriver Burns, host of the Garden of Favor podcast which focuses on women living a Christ-centered life!

In this episode, Heather shares with me her backstory and how she found God-- but prioritized being spiritual in nature over being religious. Network marketing isn’t always easy, and Heather definitely ran into her obstacles trying to balance out her networking, family, and eventually her own businesses and coaching programs.

Be sure to listen in as she shares with us her story of triumph powered by her belief in Christ!

 

Episode Highlights:

• How Heather and I met
• Heather’s backstory
• Why spirituality should be prioritized over religiousness
• Building her network and eventually her businesses
• Keeping the Lord in her mind through the dark days of her life

 

Scriptures Mentioned:

• Romans 8:28
• 2 Corinthians 3:17
• Jeremiah 3:33
• Ecclesiastes 3

 

Connect with Heather Shriver Burns:

• Heather Shriver Burns | Website
• Garden of Favor | Podcast

 

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!

7 | Breaking the Barriers of Circumstance with Alex McMillan

Years ago, I met an inspiring man named Alex McMillan at a conference of ours in Las Vegas, one who has faced and seen a lot of social injustice in this world.

In this episode, Alex shares with us his childhood and upbringing, and how he never let the barriers of circumstance and adversity dampen his drive to be an entrepreneur. He retells the story of finding the lord at such a young age, where despite all temptation around him, he stuck to the path and found himself.

Be sure to tune in and hear his story!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up mixed race
• Alex’s experience in the school system
• His childhood environment
• Finding the Lord and his service in work
• Taking circumstance into his control, making it work in his favor

 

Connect with Alex McMillan:

• ALOS | Website
• Alex McMillan | Website

Thank you so much for listening! See you on our next episode!