Look, it’s me seven years ago submitting the business application and claiming the name “Mercy Creates.” 🥹
Younger Rachel’s jaw would have been on the floor and two rooms away if I told her all that happened in seven years—from a licensing deal with her artwork in Barnes & Noble to spending two hours throwing away hundreds of dollars of product and materials because of rain at an outdoor market… It’s been a lot.
As business owners, I know you know there are no shortages of highs and lows—much like a rollercoaster. And as Christian business owners, we’re seen as unbuckling the seat belt on that rollercoaster because God told us to.
If I could sit down with Younger Rachel, I would share with her these seven pieces of advice that God has taught me through the thick of it all—lessons learned from the trenches of creativity, faith, and entrepreneurship. Luck for you, you don’t have to feel like you’re eavesdropping on a conversation 😉
1. Give up your expectations.
In serving a specific demographic with a specific style/product, the expectation of being the next big “Morgan Harper Nichols” or “Anne Neilson” has to die. It might not go viral… but it may make a difference in someone’s life. I don’t know the generational impact a print or painting will have, so it’s OK if it’s not viral or in every gift shop.
2. Time management is key.
I had to figure out a schedule and workflow that complimented my unmovable priorities: family, church, and job. I wasn’t dropping any of those commitments, so how would I add in a business?
This has worked best for my schedule: Monday–Friday is all computer work. I answer emails, schedule emails and social media posts, pay bills, track stats, etc. Saturday and Sunday are studio days: packing and shipping orders, painting, trimming, leafing, or videoing for the week ahead. And in that mix… I try and take 1 evening and 1 weekend-day off of no (or very very limited) work.
3. DON’T jump.
There are a lot of coaches and business leaders who encourage you to jump and go all-in into the business early. HOWEVER, I think there’s a lot of biblical evidence for the opposite: go slow, go wisely, and trust the Lord. To this day, I’ll stop a podcast or YouTube video if I feel the pressure—it’s not healthy, and you should never make a massive decision out of fear or desperation. God has you where He wants you, having you influence the people around you, for the duration He sees fit.
(This is definitely different for every individual and how the Lord is leading you, so please be conscious of your situation and what God wants for you.)
4. Have community.
There’s a group of people who will pray for me and the business without me asking, and I wouldn’t trade that for 3 paychecks. Their support is immeasurable to me, and it humbles me every time when they ask God to bless me and the business. These women understand that Mercy Creates was given to me, and they pray for my physical, emotional, and mental health as well as the health of the business. Their prayer support and care is invaluable
5. Not every opportunity is the right opportunity.
I’ve said “No” to people and businesses even though they were “shiny” and could create more exposure, and in hindsight, I’m glad that I did. In sticking to the business core values, analyzing the opportunities, and pausing to answer, I’ve avoided a lot of messy and costly situations.
6. Keep a list of how God is working in the business.
Things will happen when God wants them to happen—no matter how much (or little) effort I put towards it. He’s ultimately in control. It’s so amazing to me to look over the list from a previous year, and see the markers and opportunities that God gave me—applications accepted, donations given, large orders placed, conversations, goals met… When you surrender the business to Him, He does amazing things.
7. Do what God tells you to do.
The Holy Spirit will give you insight in what to pursue and what to say no to. He’ll also tell you when to move, send an email, purchase a product, give money, invest in an organization, start a project … The Psalms Project NEVER would have happened had I continued to ignore His leading, and it’s the signature product of Mercy Creates. Whatever He tells you to do, do it.
Whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in the hustle, remember this: God has you doing what He wants you to be doing, and He will make sure it will happen.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:10
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 1:6
The business adventure God is leading you through won’t look like anyone else’s … because it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison—it never is. It’s YOU to JESUS CHRIST.
He will stretch you, love you, guide you, teach you, discipline you, grow you, care for you, provide for you, and mold you more and more into the image of His Son through the business He has given you.
Friend, I hope this has been encouraging to read, and I hope you are more excited to steward what God has given you.
And if you want to read more of God’s provisions in Mercy Creates, put your name on the VIP list and get the newsletter delivered to your inbox each week.
God is so good, and we’re excited to share His work. Until next time!
Thank you – lovely post with sound guidance.