Today, my wife Kristy and I went to another McKenzie Homes “house blessing.” Just over a year ago, our friend Stacy McKenzie remodeled a house into a home – her first flip after leaving a corporate position for an entrepreneurial venture. Now she celebrates taking a broken down dwelling and transforming it into live-in art. What a difference…
BEFORE
AFTER
Last month I received a copy of the Charlotte Business Journal Book of Lists and was stunned by its cover. I immediately turned the page to see the artist and was stunned again! It was our friend, Nancy Allan, who started her business about the same time as Stacy.
Both Nancy and Stacy were featured last year in our article: Ladies, Start Your Business.
Keys to Success
According to Forbes, there are five reasons 8 of 10 businesses fail within the first 18 months. Why did these two women get a great start in their first year? Because both are…
Doing what they do best.
- Stacy: Creating homes.
- Nancy: Painting with passion.
Communicating their meaningful differences.
- Stacy: The heart and soul of home – Renovate, Build, Decorate.
- Nancy: Painting and teaching – Art that Captures the Moment.
Engaging their customers.
- Stacy: Knowing families want things done right.
- Nancy: Touching her clients with colors, design, and life.
Knowing their dollars and cents.
- Stacy: Buying right from the start.
- Nancy: Knowing what she needs.
Walking more by faith, and less by sight.
- Stacy: Looks to God first.
- Nancy: Ditto!
Help for Women Owning Business
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers the Office of Women’s Business Ownership with the mission to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support.
- The SBA offers a variety of loan programs for specific purposes. See which programs you qualify for. Learn More
- SBA’s national network of over 100 educational centers assist women in starting and growing small businesses. Find One Near You
- SBA’s Women’s Owned Federal Contract Program levels the playing field for women competing for federal contracting opportunities. Learn More.
Draw Upon a Higher Power
Another woman suddenly became a widow with children and needed a miracle. Her story from the Bible illustrates that need can breed help from a much higher power…
One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”
Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
Then he said, “Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side.” So she left.
After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring. When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped.
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.” (2 Kings 4:1-7)
All three women illustrate that you will go further if you walk more by faith, and less by sight.
Crossroads in Your Career?
God not only made you as His workmanship, but He also prepared good works for you.
You can learn how to walk through crossroads in your career to get a good job, maximize your career, or start your own business.
- Signup for our free career dashboard with job postings, resume builder, and 200 resources.
- Buy a copy of the Crossroads Career Workbook for only $15 including shipping.
As you start your career exploration, consider this thought: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Hebrews 3:4 NIV
