How do you know if God has called you into business

How do you know if God has called you into business?

There are so many articles written about the 5 steps, the 7 signs  or about how to know if God is calling you into business. All agree that it will always feel bigger than you can handle (so you will need God), it will never contradict Bible teaching (it will actually make you dig more into the Word), and you will have fears and doubts (but you also feel satisfaction in the work.

This is my story about my calling into business and three lessons I have learned from the last ten years, specifically, that have confirmed God’s calling for me into business. I hope it inspires you to get moving with the calling He has given you.

Lesson #1- He doesn’t give you the whole vision all at once.

I always say I started in business back in 2010 when I began in a direct selling business. This is not true.

I had been teaching Spanish as enrichment classes and to homeschoolers all throughout my daughters’ upbringing, so, I’ve been in some type of business for more than 20 years.

But when God called me into direct sales, that felt like business because it was SALES. I learned everything I could about how to do this correctly. I was successful in that I rose to the top of my company by being the top leader in MI. I was also on a council to provide ideas and discussion to improve the company.

In fact, I found my Ideal Client when I wanted to find women who had their own money. That led me to Christian Businesswomen. BUT God didn’t stop there. Very quickly I moved into wanting to start a networking group for Christian Businesswomen so I could connect with more customers. 😊 Yes, it was all for my DS business, so I thought.

I remember having this feeling back in those early days of networking and masterminding that I was standing on the edge of a cliff and that a huge canyon was open in front of me. This was so scary! I was not sure what God wanted from me. But, He had everything planned and I just had to take the step.

Very quickly, the DS company sales through parties, shifted to creating workshops around the products so I could help women grow their faith. As I grew and my group grew, I also acquired a brick and mortar, The GFYO Business and Educational Center. Within two short years I went from selling products to knowing these were the women I was suppose to serve.

You see, once I took that first step off the side of cliff and realized God was providing the steppingstones for me to cross, I got bolder and bolder in what He was asking me to do. As I listened to my ideal clients, I realized what they needed from me and how I could solve their problem of connecting faith and business.

If He had not opened the plan to me as slowly as He did, I would have run. I would not have thought I could do any of it. He used my love for learning, my experiences in teaching, and my Spiritual gifts of administration and creativity to propel me to the next thing. And, I was willing to take the next step each time.

Lesson #2- Some things do not go as you planned

My first website was a work of art. I was so excited to have worked with a branding coach and have a product that everyone would want. Not true. Though the Personalized Faith Plan is something I believe every businesswoman I work with ‘needs’, it is not something she wants.
This was the first thing that did not go as planned. And, now I teach others that just because you build it, does not mean they will come. It is part of what I teach when I work inside my Calling Clarity program. AND, the PFP is also in the program.

Remember the Business and Educational Center I referred to earlier? It closed after only 18 months. I knew God wanted me to open it, but it did not go the way I planned.

I was devastated for a couple of months. I had worked so hard to make it a great place for Christian businesswomen to come together. I had workshops, guest speakers, space to rent for groups, etc. It was fabulous.

You do know that the entrepreneur’s journey is never a straight line, right? The closing of the center gave rise to me writing a book. It also allowed me to focus more online where I could have a bigger audience.

Was it wrong to be local? Did I misunderstand God? No, He wanted my obedience. Will everything always go as I plan? No. Will I trust God with the results? Yes.

It goes back to #1, if God gave you the entire plan at first, you would freak out and you wouldn’t have to rely on Him every step of the way.

Lesson #3- God brings resources into your life at the exact moment you need them

I am a big believer that if God has called you then you are equipped. My entire coaching business is about helping women see just HOW He has equipped them to show up uniquely in their businesses. BUT, we just don’t know everything about all the nuances of business, from networking, to branding, to website design.

When I began to see my ideal client as Christian businesswomen, it opened a new world for me. I met my first coach via networking, she helped me create my brand. I felt like the business books at my local library just jumped off the shelf to me with the subjects I needed, and I have now found a group of women who are my forever friends because they ‘get me’.

I have invested money in coaches for business growth, social media planning, YouTube success and mindset. Each time I needed to know the next thing; God provided the opportunity. I just needed to trust Him to take the step.

Resources come in many shapes and forms: books, podcasts, courses, programs, coaches, etc. A true entrepreneur is always learning and improving in their craft; that part never stops.

So, what has God put on your heart to do? What is it you cannot get out of your head? What keeps coming up again and again in your prayer time? If God is calling you into business . . .

You will not have the entire picture – just get started with something small.

It will not be all smooth sailing – you will need to learn many lessons.
He has equipped you, but you may need some help coaxing your brilliance out. You will need to invest in yourself and your business.

These three lessons have confirmed I am called into business. As I sit with God each day, I am inspired to keep going, to figure it out, to learn more, and to serve Christian businesswomen so they can do more for God through their work. What are God’s lessons confirming for you?