SELF-RELIANCE FAILS

I arrived at the office planning to write my usual blog post first thing, but I saw free furniture up for grabs. They were pieces I had on my wish list, so it felt like Christmas! I brought them into the loft and went into housekeeping mode for hours. I couldn't shift into writing mode. I then started processing the weight of the business I've been carrying. I am an optimist, but when too much piles up at once, I can feel crushed. But on Friday, I was alone in the quiet loft, and I could hear that still small voice that I needed like air in my lungs. 

After I rearranged the office, I was astonished to see the new fashion design section. Mixed emotions. Exuberant because it looked like the real corporate headquarters that I've dreamed about since I was in 8th grade. Sad because this reality is fleeting if we can't afford to resign our lease. 

The million dollar goal for this year is realistic if the right strategies are implemented and the cards are played right. So far though, it's felt impossible to even get in the boxing ring. 

A few weeks ago, I accepted that the goal will not be met with hard work and devotion. Last year I was working 70+ hours per week, but I recently stopped in order to be the mom they need at home. One of my children had been greatly affected by me being on my devices. I'm making the right choice to choose my child's needs, but doing so has made me unable to try to get orders in. How in the heck then can we exceed what we did in 2025, if I'm doing, well, less?

I've been thinking I just need the interns to take over the marketing. Delegate is my word of the year after all. Thankfully their return from winter break is soon, but what if the interns don't succeed enough to get the sales dollars we need? This is out of my control too.

After I had a cry, emotional reset, physical refresh, and the fear was cleaned out, I could hear a question I needed to hear. Am I running a ministry or a business? This is the question that God revealed to me.

When I see it as a ministry, I enter the ring being people-focused over results-focused. I'm reliant on God for financial resources instead of exhausting myself for them. Also the ministry-first focus means the rewards are greater, even if we don't reap them in this lifetime. 

This shifted my entire being into a state of full trust instead of full pressure. I still think the goal is important, but I can finally believe that things are not going to collapse if it doesn't happen. After all, it's a lofty goal. Divide one million by 12 and that $83,333 per month. We had an $80,000 month before—one time in 15 years that is! To average that every month in 2026? It's a goal, but I see now that a goal is just a goal. My optimism and security shouldn't be tied to if we are meeting the goal or not. 

Sure, we can approach each month with the question, “What to implement that could result in $83,000?” We also have two strategies to implement for January. The first one is a free tank promo starting tomorrow. You'll be able to get a free tank with a purchase! Later this month we're working with an affiliate that might bring in a surplus too. This is the best we can do this Jan. If we don't reach the goal, I will choose to trust anyway. It's good to have a plan though to try!

The nonprofit has been in the works for a while, but I've been so self-reliant because the nonprofit hasn't been able to help us yet. I just remembered yesterday that it'll be a game changer once we can shift the ministry costs to the nonprofit instead. Without having to squeeze the business to keep paying them, we won't need to fully meet the sales goal to still thrive.

The process for us to get the 501c3 status has been so long. This is something I'd like to ask your prayer in—for favor to get approved, and speedy processing of our ability to accept tax deductible donations.