In April, I decided to take a day off from my corporate job and make it a day on for my faith, finances, future and BLB! I joined hundreds of current and aspiring female entrepreneurs (and a few males as well!) at Christy Wright’s Business Boutique 1-Day Event in San Antonio!

Earlier this year, I rediscovered my Total Money Makeover book that was gifted to me several years ago by my Aunt Ethel. I quickly read it and committed to paying off all of my consumer debt in the next two years. Since then, I religiously listen to Dave Ramsey’s podcast and over a dozen others on financial literacy, investing and debt freedom, and paid off $20,000 of credit card debt in 6 months! Dave has literally changed my life and I’m well on my way to being completely debt-free.

I was introduced to Christy Wright through the Dave Ramsey Show. Like Rachel Cruze and Chris Hogan, Christy is one of Dave's personalities that would co-host the show from time to time. She’d speak about her story as an entrepreneur and how she was creating a community of women to pursue their God-given talents as she and her mother did! That movement is called Business Boutique! I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. From there, I subscribed to Christy’s podcast and began following her on social media. She was a breath of fresh air and everything I needed when it came to staying focused on building BLB.

When I found out Christy’s Business Boutique 1-Day Event tour was coming to San Antonio, I knew I had to go! Sure, I'd already been in business and recently celebrated my one-year anniversary, but knowing I had yet to reach my full potential, this was an opportunity that I had to take advantage of. Besides, Dave was coming too! LOL I’m so happy I made that decision and could go on and on for days about all of the inspiration, hope, motivation, laughs, tears, thoughts and pure joy I experienced in eight hours on that gloomy Friday afternoon.

I’d like to introduce you to the remarkable woman behind the book and movement, Business Boutique. Meet Christy Wright!

BLB: For those not familiar with your story, tell BLB readers about Business Boutique and how it got its start!

Christy: How I got started is really the story of how my mom got started. My mom opened a little cake shop when I was just 6 months old to support me. Growing up in the cake shop (literally at times!) and watching my mom use her gifts and chase her dreams is what has inspired me my entire life to do the same.

I was 23 when I started my first side business. It started with something I had always loved: horses. I loved horses from as far back as I can remember and I always wanted to live on a farm “one day.” When I saw an ad in the paper for a 40-acre farm for rent, I saw it as a gateway to the life I had always wanted. It included an 11-stall barn where I knew I could start a business boarding horses. I didn’t have anyone to instruct or guide me. There were no books to read on the subject at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing, but like many of the women I now coach, I made it up as I went!

That’s why the Business Boutique is so important. I want to help women like me, women like my mom, and women like you. It’s a powerful thing to see women step into their God-given gifts. We are creating a movement of women making money doing what they love. And the best part is that this is just the beginning!

BLB: What impact has the Business Boutique movement made so far and what are your hopes for its future?

Christy: The top thing I have learned from watching this message connect is that this is about so much more than business. It’s about making money and running a business for sure, but more than that, it’s about women being set free to pursue their passions doing what they love. It’s been incredible to watch, and I am so grateful to get to have a front row seat. We measure success by how many businesses we help start or grow. For the future, we have a big goal to help start or grow 100,000 businesses in the next three years!  

BLB: As Christians, we believe in putting Christ at the center of everything we do. The same is true for your Business Boutique book and the Business Boutique One-Day Event, as there are biblical principles and scriptures weaved throughout each of them. Please share your reason for that.

Christy: Our gifts are not our own. They are given to us by God to be used for His glory and to bless others. In dismissing our gifts, we not only miss out on the joy we experience from using them, but others miss out, as well. I think using our gifts is an act of worship, and is a way to show God to the world. I think God has big plans for the dreams He puts in our hearts and the gifts He creates us with. I want to help women see that and step into that.

BLB: Dave Ramsey offers a wealth of knowledge and advice on his radio show and during speaking events across the country. As a Dave Ramsey personality, what's the best piece of advice he has given to you?

Christy: “Work like it all depends on you but pray like it all depends on God.” Dave also teaches the importance of being grateful. He models that so well, and there are so many other amazing qualities that you cultivate as a result of that one quality. Gratitude produces kindness, empathy, humility, generosity, happiness, better relationships, and contentment to name a few!

BLB: What would you say to the women out there with God-given gifts that are struggling to find the courage to start their own business?

Christy: Research shows that as early as age 6, girls are more risk averse than boys and this trait continues throughout adulthood. Being afraid of taking risks can hold women back in business and moving ahead in their careers. But here are some tips to help women overcome fear and put themselves out there:

• Take comfort in the fact that fear is normal. Researchers believe up to 70 percent of people (women, more often than men) suffer from the Imposter Syndrome – from the fear of not deserving your achievements or being “found out.” Even very successful people suffer from it. For example, Maya Angelou is quoted as saying, “I’ve written 11 books and each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now that I can’t do this.’” Fear isn’t a sign you're doing something bad, it’s a sign you’re doing something bold!
• Take the first step. For example, if you want to start a fitness coaching business, don’t get overwhelmed with everything you have to do to “launch” it. Just help one client. As you take one baby step after another, each step gives you confidence and fuels the next step. Eventually, one tiny step at a time, you have your business.
• Do it scared. Don’t wait until you’re ready, certain or perfect. Those feelings may never come. Put yourself out there anyway. Don’t wait until you’re not scared to do the thing you want to do. Do it scared.

BLB: Bonus Question! It wouldn't be right to end this BLB interview without a home decor question! :-) What's your favorite decor item in your home and why do you love it?

Christy: I have so many! I think it’s actually a bench that sits in my foyer. It’s an old church pew that was taken out of the tabernacle in Indiana that my grandmother and grandfather attended as children, that they were married in, and that my mom attended growing up. My granddad and great-granddad built it. It’s old and rickety but it’s a family heirloom that represents my story and legacy so it’s definitely the most special piece I have in my house.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post on Business Boutique and exclusive interview with Christy Wright! Although this is not one of my typical design project posts, Blessed Little Bungalow is about a lot more than just bargain pillows and paint colors. It's also about faith and changing lives. With that said, I hope this post left you feeling inspired and wanting to share it, especially with other female entrepreneurs that you know.

And now for the sweet surprise… *throws confetti*

Christy and I have a treat for one of you! We are giving away a copy of Christy’s Business Boutique books to a lucky BLB follower to be announced next Monday, June 5th. Here are the rules:

1. Follow @blessedlittlebungalow and @christybwright on Instagram!
2. Subscribe to my newsletter on www.blessedlittlebungalow.com.
3. On today's Instagram post, tag an amazing female entrepreneur or woman-owned business and share why they inspire you!
4. Bonus Points: If you're an entrepreneur, tell us how you got started following your God-given gift!

That’s it! I’ll select a winner at random over the weekend and we’ll announce their name on my social media pages next week! (U.S. residents only. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administrated by Instagram or Facebook.)

Good luck with the contest! Whether you win or not, I hope you’ll check out Christy’s new book, Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide For Making Money Doing What She Loves. For more information, visit www.businessboutique.com.

Be blessed,

ACG