People Who Inspire

Christian Women Living Magazine caught-up with a wonderful Christian couple who inspires on the screen and on the pages of a book. From creating a film that explores faith to creating a network geared to impact women in business, Skyler and Natalie Lawson reach out and inspire people to utilize the gifts that God has given them in order to not only create a beautiful life for themselves, but to also have an impact on the Kingdom of God and the communities around them. Join us as we get to know this couple and hear how they hope to make a difference by walking out their purpose.

Stephanie Kelley: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Skyler & Natalie Lawson:

We are Skyler and Natalie Lawson living in Indiana. Natalie is a teacher and also co-founder of the global company, Victorious Entrepreneurs Rising. She and her sister work together to help women of faith in Network and online marketing build a business that works for them through operating in rest and creating Kingdom impact. Together they mentor and support their members through their Purpose Partner community, Rise to Your Purpose Program, Podcast, and devotional. 

Skyler Lawson is a multi talented artist who got his start in painting and then moved into advertising and visual communications out of college. He began shooting commercials which then led him to pursue narrative filmmaking. Five years later, he is the founder of Endrow Pictures and has released his first feature film, Whelm, which he wrote, produced, and directed.  

SK: Please share your testimony.

Natalie Lawson: I have been blessed to know the Lord all of my life being raised in a Christian home and in the church. My mom was always such a great example to us. The challenge I faced was developing that intimate relationship with Him because I went through some challenging times as a child where I really struggled with my emotions and coping. I often blamed God and would be angry with him for allowing things to happen. But looking back, I can see how much my heavenly father loved me and was always there for me. He planted people in my life always when I needed them and opportunities that have allowed me to grow deeper in my faith. I was always afraid of doing the wrong thing or making the wrong decision that God would be angry with me. The Lord showed me that there is “therefore no shame or condemnation” Now, I have a heart burning for Jesus. There is more that God has for me and has for you. I see how He has always covered me with provision and protection. The obstacles and challenges in the past have become a way for Him to lead and develop me for something greater and higher. Overall, the Lord continues to reveal his character to me, and I am working on trusting Him in each moment. I’ve seen the Lord answer many prayers, though not always in my timing or in the way I expected. For example, with Skyler’s movie career, I can see how he has divinely orchestrated events and people into our lives to provide every step of the way. I prayed fervently and specifically over who Skyler would be partnered with in this industry, and the Lord has been faithful!

SK: Natalie, you describe yourself as “Business Strategist•Filmmaker’s Wife•Jesus Loving Boss Babe helping women Rise to Your Purpose.” Tell us about how you are able to balance so many different aspects of your life.

NL: I don’t necessarily believe in balance, but it’s more about synergy. I used to glorify multitasking, but realized that mostly just leads to burn out and resistance when you’re trying to do everything on your own. I believe God has given me giftings, skills, and desires that I am meant to use. I am in a season of life where I have the capacity and willpower to lead in multiple ways. Therefore, being intentional with my time through time blocking and learning to operate in flow with the spirit has been what makes it possible. Not every day is perfect and there are days I find myself weary. That’s when I know I’m out of alignment, and I need to pause, reflect, and realign with my core values. 

SK: What is the best advice you have ever been given and do you regularly pass that along to your clients?

NL: One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is “done is better than perfect.” There were so many times, I held myself back because I was trying to make everything look and sound just right, or I thought it wouldn’t be enough; and therefore, I couldn’t be successful. I see a lot of my clients trying to wait for things to be perfect or afraid to share something they’ve created. That’s why done is always better than perfect. God doesn’t require perfection or effort. Just walk in obedience, take actions of faith, and evolve along the way.  Proverbs 4:12 promises, “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”

Alongside of all you do, be authentically you and choose to live in your identity as a daughter of Christ so you can walk confidently in your purpose while partnering with Him in your faith and business. 

SK: What is the most common mistake that your clients make that is preventing them from succeeding?

The biggest mistake I see clients making is not properly branding yourself or curating your social media in a way that you get to be a light to others and have a way to build that know-like-trust quickly. Once you get these pieces together, the other parts can start to flow. I believe we have a chance to use social media to create impact. I’m all about the marketplace ministry, and social media can be a part of your mission field when you’re in ministry. You have a voice and a message that only you can share. However, without getting clear on your brand and who you want to serve, you might find your passion slowly fade and you’ll have moments where you feel like quitting. Developing your mission driven brand is an intrical part in being able to rise to your purpose.

SK: Skyler, when did you first become interested in film? Was this a lifelong passion or a relatively new interest?

Skyler Lawson: I’ve always loved movies, but it was after college that I began pursuing knowledge about the craft of filmmaking. I became engrossed by it and knew I had to pursue it. So I started out with short films as a way to explore the craft and figure out what would make my voice unique in the marketplace as an artist.

SK: Tell us about Whelm and how it was “born.”

SL:

Whelm is a mind-bending odyssey of two estranged brothers who get tangled in a rivalry between a legendary bank robber and an eccentric rival at the height of the Great Depression before finding they are a part of a larger historic scheme.

I wrote the Whelm specifically for my hometown where I was raised. I made a list of the assets that the town and surrounding area had to offer and began to solve the puzzle, while interweaving unique local legends of the area and a deeply personal narrative.

SK: Is Whelm a true story, based on true events or fictional? And though it is not an overtly “Christian” film, are there any faith-based elements to the show?

SL: Whelm is loosely based on historic events in part but the story is fictional in almost every way. There is in fact a deeper layer to the movie that the audience will have to grapple with. There are spiritual undertones to how the film concludes, but that is for the audience to decipher for themselves.

SK: Can you share some “God moments” that have occurred during the making/development of the film?

SL:

The road to making my first movie is a series of God moments! From the one in a million shot at meeting some of the greatest collaborators on earth, who shared the same vision as me, all the way to the town of Wabash, Indiana’s support in making the picture. The film was fully financed at the last second, days before we started shooting. And when the first teaser trailer came out, I was contacted by some folks at Skywalker Sound who wanted to help get the movie to its finished form which is what can be watched today. These kinds of things simply don’t happen often. I have been extremely blessed.

I would also encounter God when filming through His creation. A lot of scenes were shot outside on location. At times, we would be getting ready for the next scene or even thinking about stopping for the day when the sunset would be just amazing, so we would immediately begin filming again. In one of the scenes, even an orange butterfly is seen flying off over the water as we flew a drone hundreds of feet up. It made the shot even more astounding. Only God can do that. 

SK: You’re both very busy people. How did you manage to spend time together during the making of Whelm and what helpful hints can you share with other busy couples who wish to stay connected?

NL: It was challenging at times for sure because when Skyler is in the writing stages, he’s very much in the world he’s creating. I had to learn this other side of him because we dated for 8 years prior to getting married at a time when being a movie director wasn’t much of an idea yet, let alone a full time job. So this was new for both of us. We had to learn to communicate well with each other and set boundaries for prioritizing our relationship. I (Natalie) am definitely more of the planner between the two of us, so I would plan for date nights or weekends where we could spend time together and see family. Some days, we might just take a couple hour break and go hiking or get ice cream. We would also go on walks around a neighborhood to give us 15 minute breaks together in the middle of working. We usually try to have a cut off time in the evenings so we can spend time hanging out. Sundays are usually kept for church and spending time together as a refreshing way to start our week ahead. But, as I mentioned before, life isn’t about balance. It’s about synergy and working in flow. Skyler and I have to be flexible with our schedules while also committing to that time together knowing that not everyday will look the same. 

SK: Anything else you would like to tell us about?

SL & NL:

We are running a campaign for Charity Water-an organization that gives 100% of its donations to building clean water wells for communities in 3rd world countries. You can learn about the charity water story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdBG5VO01e0

If you’d like to give, you can go to this link. The goal is $4000 by the end of the year with a total of $30,000 for our campaign team goal. https://www.charitywater.org/natalie-lawson-2/thirsty-for-impact

Clean water changes everything. charity: water brings clean and safe drinking water to people in need around the world, improving health, education, and opportunity – especially for women and children. 100% of public donations go directly to clean water projects.

SK: How can our readers get in touch with you?

SL & NL:

You can get connected with Natalie and Victorious Entrepreneurs Rising communities here: 

https://bit.ly/Victoriousentrepreneursrising

https://linktr.ee/natalielawson

Skyler:

Social media:

Instagram

@skyler_j_lawson 

Twitter

@skyler_j_lawson

You can now  purchase Whlem on Blu ray or rent on Amazon Prime and Itunes.