One of the biggest life questions we have (especially in our teens) is, what do you want to be when you get older?
Sometimes we feel under pressure to work it all out super quickly and we often look to our natural skills and talents to work out what vocation might suit us best, but if you don’t have an obvious gift like singing, you may begin to doubt if God has given you any talents at all, but that’s totally not true!
I got the pleasure to meet some of the UK’s most innovative entrepreneurs. From all walks of life, they have proven by waiting on God’s guidance, they are living out a bigger purpose, wilder than any of their dreams.
‘God is your guide, let Him navigate your craft’ are just a few wise words from Tracy, a graduate and founder of Feed’Em Music Group.
Having launched Feed’Em Sessions, a platform that promotes emerging Christian artists on a secular radio station, his path to the industry has been far from glamorous. As a troubled child, an opportunity to participate in a NEET (young people Not in Education Employment or Training) music course propelled his desire to work in music management, much to the dismay of his traditionalist parents, who had dreamed of their son becoming an engineer.
Immersing himself in the industry at every work opportunity, the loss of his Mother in 2012 prompted Tracy to give his life to God a year later. “I lived a life of emptiness. I was digging my own grave and genuinely believe I was supposed to die that night I gave my life to Christ.” says Tracy. His life now has one purpose – to serve the Kingdom of God.
Drawing from Matthew 4:4 as his business vision, the Feed’Em Movement is growing, innovating and touching lives each week reaching listeners as far as South America. Despite the success, Tracy’s feet are firmly on the ground “I’m in business for a purpose that’s greater than a price.’’
Once a raving nightclub promoter and trendy clothing brand owner, serial entrepreneur Jay Richards’ new social enterprise, Broken Chain couldn’t be a further departure from his previous endeavours. Stumbling down a virtual rabbit hole for hours on end led Jay to find Charity:Water’s moving story. “I saw a need, I saw people living around the world without such a simple resource and I couldn’t sit back and do nothing.” says Jay.
Feeling empowered, Jay started the thriving jewellery brand which donates 20% of each item sold to Charity:Water, which provides clean water to children living in poverty. “Being able to provide 1300 years worth of clean water since December 2016 has been amazing. It’s such an honour to help others to help others!” Says Jay.
Staying rooted in God’s Word, Jay draws everything from creative inspiration to overcoming difficult times to the Bible. Whilst he continues to juggle full time work, his conviction for his business is breaking every chain of opposition. Jay’s advice to others is simple: “By being ourselves, the world doesn’t need more carbon copies of Jay Richards. It needs you to be you, to be who God intrinsically created you to be. If we can each run our own race and solve the problems that Jesus highlights to us, then we can collectively make a difference in the business industry.”
If you told the founders of BeLifted back in 2016 that they would be fitness pioneers, they may have not believed you. “I admired entrepreneurs for their boldness and fearlessness. I never thought that I would one day attempt to do it. It’s been a unique experience.” declares Maame-esi, property consultant and one half of the dynamic duo. Their passion for helping others and shared dissatisfaction over ‘monotonous’ gym music, led to a blossoming friendship and the idea of incorporating gospel music into group fitness classes.
For the women, BeLifted is more than your typical circuit training class, ’It’s about the power of the Word of God in fitness and how that doesn’t just keep your body fit but also exercises your mind. “When God transforms your mind with the Word, you are an unstoppable force in the Kingdom. But you have to get your mind right.” maintains Jenny, a TV producer by day and the other half of the fitness dream team. As this innovative company continues to flourish, at the core of their success is acting with purpose. Jenny notes “Psalm 46:10 is one of my favourite passages. Sometimes you have to be still, and considered. Not jumping into things for the sake of it.”
After those 3 stories we feel super inspired, and hope you do too!
