Divinepreneur Set Free

Do you feel like God is calling you to a new thing?  A new direction?  To do something totally out of your comfort zone?  Maybe it's your business, or even your career? As we approach the end of 2019, take an inventory of the past months to see if God has been pushing you into new ground.   There are signs that God may be talking to you.  First, you don't have peace in your heart.  In the context of work, maybe you feel uneasy.  You are always thinking about that "other" thing.  Second, you may be feeling stagnant at your job, or in your business.  There's no growth.  You can't see beyond your current situation.  Third, others have been talking to you about new projects, a new career, or a new venture.  Fourth, are you struggling with your communication with God? If you fid yourself unable to focus on your time with God, then it may be a sign (combined with others discussed here) that you may be called to a new thing.  Fifth, are you daydreaming about something?  Something big? You then shrug it off as a "not gonna' happen?"  Well, again, the Grand Weaver may have grand things in stored for you! Now, there is no guarantee of course to any of this. Search your heart, and spirit.  Seek guidance and pray.  Don't ever underestimate your experience, talents, and gifts.  And don't ever write yourself off because you are a certain age (old or young).  Just remember, if God is calling you, he will prepare the way, and all the details.  Blessings, #shiuyaright

Do you get along with everyone?  Is there a co-worker, a colleague, or maybe your peer that you just can't click with? Is it you?  It is her?  Maybe both?  Well, understanding one's personality profile may just be the key in helping you and your team understand and work with each other in a smoother way. Recently, my wife and I took the DISC profile assessment. It's sort of a check up to where each other is at.  The goal is to learn about each other in a way where we understand the other's way of thinking. We are all wired a little differently.  I am a high D and C.  This just means I like data, details, and I am a typical hunter and gatherer. I like to execute; I value order, and parameters. By contrast, someone who is a high I and S, like my wife, she is more inclined to make peace, and talk about things. Now, this does not mean that I have none of the other traits, and same for my wife.  This just means that we come from two different viewpoints. Perhaps the most famous personality test is the Myers Briggs test.  Under the four categories (Extrovert v. Introvert; Intuitive v. Sensing; Feeling v. Thinking; Judging v. Perceiving) of the MB test, we can learn how someone operates.   For example, do you know people who can't stand large crowds for a long time?  That coworker that dislikes large parties?  Well, she may be an introvert.  This does not mean that she is shy; in fact, she is not.  She is quite social. It's just that she draws her energy from being in smaller crowds and more likely by herself.  In addition, she likely does not enjoy small talk.   With this understanding, this professional may market best in large parties.  She may be most effective at a small lunch or at a meetup one on one with a prospect.  Other personality tests/profiles are the Enneagram and Strengthsfinder.  Get to know yourself today! If you haven't already, take one of these tests to see where you are at.  I think with more data we can all lead ourselves better, and lead others better.  Blessings, #shiuyaright  

In this episode, I interview my good friend Sid Mofya.  Sid is the Director of Partnerships at Draper Venture Network by day; by night, he is a budding creative generating soulful/folk-inspired music. Sid shares with us that in his early days he had ambitions of becoming a doctor.  Born in Zambia, his dream was to study abroad.  While medicine was not the ultimate calling, Sid did land a full ride in the UK to study engineering.  He later pursued a business degree in Houston, Texas, but not before he got married to his lovely wife- Becky. Together, they traveled to Africa, UK, and the states, but eventually found the Bay Area as home.  Today, Sid is busy putting deals together, but he is also putting lyrics to paper.  He picked up the guitar and later piano no doubt due to his upbringing.  Sid was brought up pretty much Christian you could say.  He was exposed to music from family, and church early on.  Today, he writes his own songs.  The dream is to connect people with his music, but in a way that's customized and personalized.  Sid plans to create bespoke music for individuals who can "message" to loved ones.  Music has a way of speaking to people's hearts like no other vehicle.  This idea grew from his own experience from losing his beloved father, as he was on a plane traveling back to his home land to take care of family affairs.  Sid shares that the feeling on the plane was like no other.  He heard a song that touched him deeply.  By memorializing that moment with song, his vision is to do the same for others through his own lyrical chops.   Sid continues to write songs, and create soulful and folk-inspired tunes - mixing powerful African sounds with contemporary sounds.  Music truly transcends all boundaries.  Sid's experience is also a down to Earth testament to the fact that we can work and create for the glory of God.  You can hear Sid's music here.  Visit him at www.mofyamusic.com His Instagram is mofyamusic.  Check him out today!  Blessings,  #shiuyaright   

Do you suffer from Isolation-itis?  "Isolation is the enemy of excellence." (Aaron Walker; https://www.viewfromthetop.com) In this part two series on "Free The Dream Conference," we look at one of my big takeaways - upgrading your peer group. If you're like me, a proud introvert and type A personality, you may have a high tendency to seclude yourself in your work, projects, thinking, and problem solving? Why? It's likely largely rooted in hubris, and a sense of pride.  For me, I tend not want to bother anyone.  But there's a cost to this way of operation.  Isolation-itis, can cause us to think narrowly.  We may not appreciate all options that are available to us.   It can harbor a deeper sense of pride because we have "gone too far" so why ask for help now?    Upgrading our peer group, or creating one, such as a mastermind group, can provide many benefits.   First, it can provide us with community.  People are social beings.  To thrive in your business, ministry, or any endeavor building a community increases the probability of resources, and access.    Second, a pee group also provides us with perspective.  We can't see everything because we haven't been everywhere.  A related point is we don't see out blindspots (or we ignore them).  Third, and probably the most powerful benefit of a peer group is to be held accountable.  How many of us - if we're being honest - have quit something because we did not have to answer to anyone?  We were held to the fire.  A serious peer group is not just a gathering, a get-together, coffee talk, or jive talking. It is designed to be a serious group of people who are willing to be vulnerable, open, and transparent with each other with the end goal of improving our collective well being so we can win!  (NOTE: my goal is quarter and in Q4 is to find and participate in a mastermind group) Blessings, #shiuyaright

in this week's episode, part one, we talk about our dreams.  Almost all of us have a dream that we want to unleash. For some of you, you are already living your dream.  Congrats!  For the majority of us, however, I am guessing that we have something bottled within that we have been harboring for years, and at times, decades.  But it isn't going away.  At this year's Free the Dream conference (www.freethedreamconference.com), I was so blessed to have been able to attend the 2.5 days extravaganza.  The speaker all spoke against the theme that we can all free our dream.  But we have to be ultra-intentional.  One of the key reasons that we keep our dreams dormant is because of our belief system.  All beliefs have consequences. We have told ourselves (or have been conditioned to think) that we need be responsible, and go the straight and narrow.  That's fine.  But at what cost?  How many of our friends do we know who have great professions but who are miserable in their career?  Maybe that's you even.  When we examine our beliefs, and challenge them we can begin to chart out action steps to get closer to doing what God has called us to do. Maybe you're called to ministry; maybe it is to start a side business; or, maybe it is to leave your current job and work in and on your business altogether.  Whatever it is, we must examine deeply our limiting beliefs in order to launch out of the orbit of stagnation.   Blessings,  #shiuyaright

In this episode, we explore the three traits in an ideal team player in any organization.  Let's face it: Top talent is hard to find.  They are even harder to keep (that's for another episode).  In his famed work, "The Ideal Team Player," Patrick Lencioni argues convincingly three tops traits that an employer should identify in their team members.  In honor of this work, we dive into the three traits and discuss their implications when they are present, or missing (or a combination of them).  The three key traits that an employer would want in any team member are humility, hunger, and intelligence (including emotional intelligence.  Ideally, we want all three traits in any single team player. Some will have one while others will have two.   The combination of any two are important to look at.   For example, those who are humble and smart, but not hungry will be ones that typically slide on by.  They are under the radar.  They are often times pretty quiet. They will draw very little attention to themselves.  However, they can certainly do the job.  Next, there are team members who are both smart, and hungry, and are not humble.  These are likely the most dangerous type of employee.  Unfortunately, these team members can often times be prideful and likely are looking out for number one only - and not the team.  The close cousin to the one that we just mentioned is ones who are not humble, and not hungry, but are very smart.  They are the politicians likely.  They like themselves very much.  There are practical ways to identifying team members with these traits. One way is to break free from the traditional behind-the-desk interview ; take the candidate into a pressured setting.  Take him or her to a restaurant and see who they interact with the public, service people, and parking lot attendants.   In the end, we want a holistic member for our team so that we can add value to it, and ultimately to our customers.   Blessings,  #shiuyaright

Have you ever had a bad customer service experience?  If you have, did you ever tell someone about it?  Chance are the answer is a resounding yes!   So, how do we up our game when it comes to client relations and customer service? In this episode, we discuss five essential skills to serving customers, and doing authentically.  People are emotional beings.  That is why when we experience bad customer service we tend to tell our friends and neighbors; it hits a nerve.  We want to avoid that type of experience.  With this understanding, we can then construct a superior experience for our clients.  First, be empathetic.  There is a big difference between being empathetic and being sympathetic.  You can certainly be both. However, having empathy simply shows that we care about the customer predicament.  Customers don't want to talk to robots and people who read off scripts, which in turn come off as robots.  We've all experienced this before.   Second, avoid using negative language at all cost.  We must not confuse sugar-coding with avoiding using negative language.  We must still tell the truth. The trick here is to use positive language; avoid words like "unfortunately" and "yes, but..."  Third, practice active listening.  As the late Dr. S. Covey taught, "seek first to understand, then to be understood."  Make sure you practice both principles though! Many of us really have a hard time listening; instead of listening, we are, rather, preparing our reply.  To listen better, have a "you-mindset" and avoid interrupting the person.  Listen with intention.  Fourth, I think to serve clients authentically we need to practice patience.  When we think of God we may not mouth off "patience" as one of his key attributes.  But isn't it?  Think about how long he's waited for you, me, etc?  Similarly, some customers just need a lot more hand-holding than others.  Fifth, be "other-centered." There is nothing wrong with wanting the "sale." Serve first. With this mindset, we take the focus off of how the deal can benefit ourselves.  We instead focus on the client's needs. Maybe after  you have met with the client and gathered all the relevant data you come to the conclusion that your product or service is not the right fit for your prospect.  Disclosing this to the prospect can only increase your credibility (through the roof)! Or, you are wiling to share with the prospect some aspects of your service that may be better deployed later rather than now.  Again, when we think of our client's needs, at the risk of "not closing the deal", you'll likely end up with more business than you can handle!  Finally, what can be more authentic than owning our own mistakes that we have made when dealing with our clients. It's hard.  Really hard.  The natural human tendency is to hide, shift blame, or downplay the mistake.  When we reveal, admit, and apologize for our wrongdoing clients are much more receptive, and forgiving than if we were simply trying to act like it's not a big deal.  Clients are humans, too; they have made mistakes, too. Coming clean can only put yourself in an upright position.  I love to hear about your experience with providing awesome and authentic customer service.  Did it back fire? Or, did it win your client's heart? Email me at johnny@divinepreneursetfree.com! Blessings, #shiuyaright 

If you've purchased your favorite Iced Latte, or a Boba drink chances are you've used Fivestars (www.fivestars.com).  Why wouldn't you? In this episode, I got a chance to interview Matt Doka, CTO of Fivestars.  Matt is blessed with being an engineering wiz, and a financial ninja.  At McKinsey, he worked in the investment sector, where he would meet his co-founder and CEO, Vic Ho.  Both Christ followers, they capitalized on their youth, enthusiasm, and faith to give starting a company a shot.  Matt and Vic went through Y-Combinator.  With a little experimentation, and the expected pivoting, Matt and Vic set their sights on serving local and small businesses.  Through the customer loyalty framework, Fivestars' mission is to turn every transaction into a relationship! By offering a powerful marketing platform for businesses and rewards for their customers, it's a match made in business heaven.  Matt shared in this episode the influence he had while growing up in a mission-filled household.  At a young age, he got a front-row seat in witnessing how his parents dedicated their careers and skills in work and service.  So, when the opportunity came knocking, Matt shared that he jumped at it and did incredible work in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda where he helped dairy farmers to improve efficiency, and increase their return.  With this background, Matt (and Vic) accelerated their company, which now serves over 14,000 businesses. 

In this episode, we conclude our discussion of the employment relationship by focusing on what the Bible has to say about what a Christ following employee should consider when it comes to his or her interactions at the workplace.  First, I think it's important to be an exceptional worker and team member.  Focus on your internal brand so that people look to you for excellence.  Be mindful, project-oriented, and ready to help.  Col 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."  After all, we are working for God, and our workmanship should glorify God.  At some level, we are all artists or artisans in some way.  We should be proud of our work. When we work on a project, or a task we can think like an artist and be proud to "sign off" on our final product.  In that way, your company and co-workers will notice that you're someone who does great work and provides a unique proposition.  Second, we should respect authority meaning our superiors.  This does not mean that we subject ourselves to abusive or unethical behavior.  We need to be salt and light, and stand up for what is right without being self-righteous.  According to 1 Tim 6:1, 2  "All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves." Third, a Christian employee may want to be mindful of his or her personal finances.  You see, work can be stressful; when we are worried about debt or excessive financial burdens that can bleed into our work.  After all, most of us work the majority of our day and stress can affect our work, and work product.  So, it's important to consider one's own personal financial situation so it does not affect work in a negative way.  Blessings to all! #shiuyaright

Aloha! In this Maui edition of the Divinepreneur Set Free podcast, I am super thrilled to be recording from the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii.  This week, my fam' and I are with the kiddos vacationing.  We are so blessed and ever GRATEFUL to God for the opportunity.  This week, I didn't want to pass up the chance to record from this awesome place - bringing you guys some island love.  And appropriately, this week's episode is about rest and relaxation.  Many of us have a hard time truly resting and relaxing.  Yes, a lot of us take vacation. But guess what, a lot of us don't.   I never used to take a vacation.  NEVER.  I didn't grow up with that brand of experience so it was never on my radar.  As an adult, I think that mindset carried over (well into adulthood). I remember I would work years without taking a real vacation.   Today, I have learned that we all must break from our hustle.  Even those who are in ministry, and certainly those who are in business.   Psalm 116:7 says "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."  Mark 6:31 reminds us that Jesus said "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." You know anyone who pulls all nighters?  King David wrote "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for what to eat for Go gives rest to his loved ones."  (Psalm 127:2) Even God rested on the seventh day.  However, we may have a tendency to forget.  And even if we do take time off, our minds are wandering about.  For many, our thought life is the real battleground. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 says "What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?  All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless."  Do you have a hard time calming your mind?  Does it race a thousand thoughts a minute? Here are three things to combat that today. 1. Deconstruct your work/worries/issues.  Break them down.  Delegate, push back, and act now.  Don't let it linger.  2. Destroy.  Destroy those "old" thoughts that says "I have to be there...nothing will get done..."; "Will so and so actually follow through on my portion of the project while I am on vacation?"  Take EVERY though captive and claim your place in the Kingdom.  God has got you.  3. Develop "new" and more healthy thoughts (replacing the old ones).  Remind yourself that in Christ you can rest.  You have the right to rest.  You must rest. Shut the enemy's lies that you don't have the luxury to relax.  Set yourself FREE from the enemy's lies with God's truth.  He said "come unto me all ye who labor, and I will give your rest."  (Matt. 11:28) You have the right to rest and relax from your work. Take your mind back.  You have the power and the right to claim your thoughts and turn them from unhealthy to healthy-Kingdom thoughts!  Rest up, my friends!  Mahalo and e-malama pono (take care)!  Blessings, Shiuyaright

In this week's episode, we dive into one of a two-part series about how God expects us, the Christian Entrepreneur, to carry ourselves as an employer/manager.  Business is a full contact sport. Many issues arise, and in multiple areas.  We look at just five areas where God has something to say in terms of how we may show up in the world as an employer-divinepreneur.  In the area of employee relation, we are charged in 1. Cor 9 to pay our employees fairly.  In a highly competitive marketplace, we must not only pay fairly but likely more than fairly to entire, and keep talent.   Col. 4: 1 says, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." We should aim for holiness in every business transaction. Business is hard enough.  But we must separate ourselves from any wrongdoing, sneakiness, or malfeasance, or even the appearance of such because we work for an awesome God! Ultimately, we are a testimony through our labor.  And people can tell.  2 Cor. 7:1 says, "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."  When it comes to communications, we should do so graciously and truthfully.  Col. 4:  6 -  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Prov. 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. In employee conflict resolution, communication is crucial.  In investigating any allegation of employee misconduct, we must verify accusations (1 Tm 5:19 - Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.) We must also listen to all sides.  (James 1: 19  - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry)  Running a business also requires keeping up with our financial and legal obligations.  Rom 13:6-8 reminds us that "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." The Word of God also addresses the employer's responsibility to care for his/her own family as well as for the poor and weak.  Rom 12:13 - Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Gal. 2: 10  - All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. 1 Tim. 5:8 - Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Finally, we would do well to be reminded that we are managing our business for God.  We should be mindful of the long term implications of our decisions.  Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Prov. 29:18) Blessings, Shiuyaright

In this episode, we dive right into the meaning of leadership and why it's important to increase our leadership ability.  Every organization needs leadership.  Leadership, according John Maxwell, is influence (Law of Influence).  Influence just means the ability to cause people to do things. In a business setting, we of course want to influence people in a positive way and through positivity, encouragement, and empowerment.  When we show people we care, we slowly earn loyalty.  When we, as Christian Entrepreneur leaders, show that we have been through the fire, or are willing to go through the fire, we gain legitimacy among our team members, industry, and peers.  As Christian leaders in the marketplace, I argue that we have to be even more mindful than our counterparts because we have the honor of displaying Christ and glorifying God in all that we do.  We can't all be great leaders. But, the good news is that we can work on it.  Maxwell's "Law of the Lid" stands for the proposition that each leader has a lid, and the higher the lid the more effective that leader will be. The converse would be true.  In the end, when an organization fails, or sustains systemic and chronic problems it is ultimately the leader's responsibility to fix it.  It behooves the leader to be able to identify those blindspots, or at least seek wise counsel, and recommendations to offset his/her inability to see through a situation. Again, the good news is that a leader can work on his/her "lid" factor through self development and mindfulness.  Blessings, Shiuyaright

What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?  This famed line is from the 80's sitcom, Different Strokes.  We talk every single day (most of us), and when we do we are communicating.  When we email we are of course doing the same thing.  We all communicate differently.  Do you have people tell you that you’re “easy” to talk to?  Or, do people always ask you to clarify what you just said. In this week’s episode, we dive into learning our communication style and how to improve our communication.  The world knows what we are the minute we speak.  So, it's important to sharpen our communication skills. Communication can be a superpower.  That’s good news!   In Sally Hogshead’s “How to fascinate?” at www.howtofascinate.com she teaches that we all have a style of communicating (or advantage).  Some may have the advantage of “Trust” while others come across with “Power.”  Check out her website to take a brief and free survey to learn your advantage.   Whatever you style is, we can all improve our speaking and writing.  Have you ever reread your own email only to be puzzled by the very words that you yourself typed?  Have you ever read a reply to your communication and it made no sense? We can all fall into this trap from time to time.  But don’t be discouraged, there are ways to improve our communication right now.  Here are some tips you can practice today:  Be a listener Be aware of personal bias Ask questions first; ask for more data BEFORE you answer Know your audience  Break down what you are trying to say…. Be BRIEF and SPECIFIC  Be more explanatory Wait and think over your response (if possible) before you get back to the other person Word the same concept in two different ways to ensure that the OTHER person knows what you mean Be clear To avoid misunderstanding, and confusion, it is best to repeat and confirm that has been discussed.  In high stakes communication, this is crucial to the final deal.   How we come across, and what we say are so important as Divinepreneurs.  People are constantly observing us and watching our acts, and speech.  We have every opportunity to communicate effectively and for the Kingdom of God.  Blessings, shiuyaright 

In this episode, I am thrilled to interview my good friend, and life coach Jedi, Cliff Ravenscraft (www.mindsetanswerman.com).   In case you have not heard of Cliff, he's a down to Earth Brother in Christ who started out as an employee in the marketplace and evolved (not without pain) to being 100% self employed in the on-line space.  Formerly known around the world as "The Podcast Answerman" God has opened door after door for him and now, rebranded as the Mindset Answerman, Cliff coaches individuals and small businesses to living the life they are most called to live.  Cliff sits down with me in this episode as he explains his origin.  Cliff started in the insurance business and was super successful. But then he got hooked on Podcasting. In the early days, there were but a handful of podcasts.  Cliff saw a niche and because of his love fo the craft excelled in the technical and art of delivering content through this medium.  He would offer multiple online courses teaching folks how to podcast.  Today, he bravely left that aspect of podcasting (and the secure income that it brought) and leapt again to coach individuals who may or may not have their own podcast in their online business.  Cliff offers one-on-one coaching, as well as a group Mastermind.  Check it all out at the URL above.  In this episode, Cliff also shares his struggles during his evolution, but which ultimately culminated in a desire in him to hold stadium sized conferences.  It's not a dream no more!  In 2018, Cliff and his awesome wife, Stephanie, launched "Free the Dream 2018!"  IN 2019, yours truly is flying to Franklin, Tennessee to be a part of "Free the Dream 2019!"  In episode 24, I talked about the importance of personal development.  And to walk the talk, I will be a willing student (as always) to learn new things and execute them to keep improving. You should, too!  Don't hesitate.  If you can save 10  years, 5 years or 1 month of work/time, by learning even one truth, would you do it? What dream are you trying unlock inside of you?  Go to www.freethedreamconference.com today and register.  Invest in yourself because you are worth it.   Blessings,  #shiuyaright

in today's world, business and life are accelerating at a rapid rate. Can we as Christian Entrepreneurs benefit from personal development? Or do just simply rely on God for "everything?" There are multiple benefits for Christian Entrepreneurs to develop continuously and better ourselves.  Throughout scripture, God allows and even waits for man to act.  For example, God asked Adam to name the animals.  It's not as if God got tired or couldn't come up with names; rather, God wanted man to act and partner with God. In the same way, we are to act to "work out our own salvation" we are told Philippians 2:12.  And throughout scripture, we see the men and women of God working. We have to keep moving forward.  Personal development starts with Self awareness - designing the life  you are meant to have.  What are your gifts?  What are you good at? Through personal development, we can gain a sense of direction. We all need a tune-up from time to time.  We may have blind spots that we have either developed unknowingly or that were never addressed.   It can be a time to refresh and renew.  Personal development can also be rocket fuel that boosts you into the next level.  Maybe you hit a plateau. You need a break-through!  Don't forget that developing yourself can improve focus and effectiveness in your work.  We are distracted constantly.  There is so much noise in the marketplace.  But the proper information can put us on track to a single focus so we can move forward with our work. When we invest in ourselves with updated information, we can increase our resilience.  Storms will come.  Can we withstand the winds of change? We need to develop our adaptive muscles also.  The ability to ADAPT to evolving situations is a skill, and an art.   Finally, when we develop others we can develop others.  We can pay it forward; mixing your experience with learning, which is wisdom that can be priceless.

Knowing our true identity as a Christian Entrepreneur is not necessarily an easy thing.  We are constantly under attack by the enemy who seeks to destroy us.  The enemy has been at this for a long time.  He knows our pain points and our weaknesses.  He can question our abilities, our heart, and our motives.  He accuses us day and night before God of all our shortcomings.  And he does. But we can equip ourselves with a daily practice of digesting the Word of God.   Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 5:1 - For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. We can be sure in our identity in Christ (not our success, failure, or any other thing).  We are simply sons and daughters of the Living God who has given us favor.   There are other practical things we can do to ensure that we aren't blown off course by the enemy's tactics.  Check in with like-minded Christian Entrepreneurs whom you can share you issues with and air your concerns.  Join a mastermind group where these issues can be honestly dealt with.  We can also consume nourishing content daily during down time such as podcasts, videos, and other media to help strengthen our understanding and core in Christ.  Make no mistake, the enemy is at this game day and night. He does not take a holiday. And we can't either.  The good news is that we have God on our side.  Be bold and take hold of your rightful place and identity, firmly planted in Christ.  Blessings, #shiuyaright

As Divinepreneurs, how we show up in the marketplace is so crucial because it is an opportunity to be a witness to Christ and a testimony for his grace, love, and overall sovereignty.  In business, we are constantly bombarded with different types of pressures and demands.  The enemy knows exactly how to hit us and try to derail our efforts in serving our team members, and customers.  One of the central areas where the enemy can attack is our finances. Our financial health is an integral part of so much of what we do both personally and in business. Personally, if we don't have our own financial house in order, it is likely to bleed over to our business (or our attempt to launch a business).  To realign our personal finance, we should audit our own views about money.  Do we submit our finances to God or do we still play Lord? On a practical level, we should rid all unsecured debt, i.e., credit cards, car payments, student loans, so that we have the margin (as opposed to paying everyone else) in our lives. Debt is not a sin; however, debt is unwise as Proverbs teaches us.  Imagine if you had no car payment, or a Visa payment.  The money you would have could be better used and stewarded.  After all, we are all stewards of God's money and resources.   And when we are financially responsible personally we will be better equipped to launch our business.  You will be able to save more cash with no debt in order to bootstrap your business. Remember, if you can't service that small business loan we can act in desperate ways in our business just to meet those financial obligations but which are unsound for our business. In both personal and business finance, it is crucial to do a budget.  I, personally, do one every 2 weeks.  I know where everything is going and what is coming in.  When we take control of the income that God has blessed us with he will bless us (not necessarily financially but in all aspects of life).  Take control, and set yourself free with God's principles in your finances so that you can do the redemptive work that you are called to do!  Blessings,  #shiuyaright 

Being a Dad is a joy but it's hard work.  There are a handful of Dad traits I think that apply directly to running a business.   In today's episode, we explore a handful of these traits: being patient, resourceful, emotionally fit, coachable, and communicating effectively.  Our kids sometimes test our patience; but so do clients and team members.  Sometimes, we run short on this resource because maybe we are not organized, or are not clear on our own time management. Carving out blocks of time and reworking our own organizational system may reduce stress, and hence increase patience when dealing with both child and business.  An entrepreneur is born to be resourceful typically. No one can ever have all the resources she needs, but we can be resourceFUL. Making things work and using what you've got are age-old edicts but they ring true.  Fathering children also takes a lot of emotional energy. Being emotionally fit may be the next craze.  With super busy lives, ew are constantly on the move, and trying to launch that next product.  Hence, emotions run hot.  How do we manage our emotions? Everyone needs a coach.  As I mention in this episode, I recently got some coaching from my good friend Kris Pavone (www.krispavone.com)  No one is exempt. We all need a tune up and have someone objective call out our blind spots.  And being a Dad can certainly hone in our communication skills. When our kids are small, we talked to them in "baby" language or in ways that are simple and clear.  We don't talk "baby" to our team members or clients. But, there's a lesson.  Writing and speaking clearly with logical and coherent thoughts remain coveted skills.  Think about all the times that an email did not sound clear to you.  Exactly!  We hope you enjoy this episode.  Email me at johnny@divinepreneursetfree.com with your thoughts on the Big Box retailer issue!  Blessings, #shiuyaright 

Have you ever gotten stuck on making a decision? I've been there; I think we all have experienced it.  Maybe you are stuck now! Well, don't miss this episode as we deconstruct ways to make informed decisions and go over pitfalls to avoid.  We humans make a ton of decisions every day.  Some studies suggest that we make as many as 35,000 decisions a day (2,000 per hour) (https://go.roberts.edu/leadingedge/the-great-choices-of-strategic-leaders) In making any decision, we of course need first to know what we want.  We must then also count the cost first.  (Luke 14: 28-34)  This necessarily means that we need to accumulate as much relevant data as possible before deciding.  Sometimes, it helps to visualize the decision we want to make by making a decision tree. Check out this article in this link to learn more  (https://medium.com/greyatom/decision-trees-a-simple-way-to-visualize-a-decision-dc506a403aeb) We should also avoid making decisions for the wrong reason, i.e., emotions, keeping up with the Joneses, avoiding embarrassment, etc. Above all, we should seek counsel so that we can become more wise so that we can improve on our decision making skills.   Thank you for listening!  As always, I want to hear from you.  Email me at Johnny@divinepreneursetfree.com and share your hack on dinner!  Or, just email me about the episode!  Check us out at www.divinepreneursetfree.com Check out my drawing on Instagram of Captain Picard )(https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOEiICDQVP/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Blessings! 

Do you practice compassionate leadership in the marketplace?  How do we do it? In this episode, I get to interview an HR Professional of over 20 years specializing in mindfulness, compassionate leadership, and emotional intelligence.  Jennie Hoady-Shiu, my wife, gives us four practical ways that we can implement today so that we can be salt and light at work.  We get into the mind, subconsciousness, intentionality, and conflict resolution.  [Shout out to my friend and a leader himself, Cliff Ravenscraft (www.cliffravenscraft.com), on his teaching on the subconscious mind.]  At the heart of it, it's about being an intentional leader with an open heart and mind ready to connect with team members in an authentic way.  Don't miss this episode!  Subscribe, like and share this podcast.   As promised, feel free to reach out to Jennie directly at JHoady@yahoo.com for more free resources on what we'v covered.  And you can always email me at johnny@divinepreneursetfree.com Blessings!

In today's episode, we examine the three characteristics that can supercharge your influence over people.  As a business leader, entrepreneur, or influencer, we deal with people constantly.  It's a necessary part of redemptive work on doubt! While there is a constellation of tools, tips, and self-help literature in the marketplace, we focus on three traits that I think will extreme dividends.  And we can put them into practice right now! One, be relevant. Two, be relational. And three, be relatable.  Sound simple?  Well, it may be simple, but it's not easy!  To fully coopt and love on our team members, we need to harness all of our emotional fitness to connect with those whom we "serve/lead."  Jesus no doubt was the ultimate master in the business of people. We'll draw from the best playbook ever written (the Bible of course)!  You won't want to miss this episode!   So, are you relevant relational, and relatable?  

In part two and conclusion of my chat with Doug Cho, a local leader in the mental health space, Doug shares practical tips on how to deal with depression and anxiety. While we are not mental health professionals, suffering from depression often isolates himself. The enemy's tactics is to pin us down, so he can turn up his voice.  To combat that, we need to hear other voices.  After all, we know that in the Book of Ephesians, Paul tells us that our fight is not of flesh and blood, but with the prince and principalities.  This means we are engaged in spiritual warfare. In war, we must find an ally.  In practical terms, connecting with a mature individual in your circle is a step that you should consider.  For more practical tools, listen now to this encouraging and informative conclusion of my talk with Doug Cho.    Disclaimer: Neither Doug Cho nor Johnny Shiu are mental professionals.  The content offered on this podcast and this episode is strictly anecdotal. If you are suffering from mental illness, seek a professional for help.   

This week I sit down with Scott Wong, CEO and Founder of Detail Innovations (https://www.detailinnovations.com).  Scott, a detailing extraordinaire, chats with us on his love for all things cars. Having paid his dues in the Silicon Valley at various Fortune 500s, the itch had to scratched.  In October 2016, Scott launched DN and never looked back. Through God's grace, Scott and team was one of a handful selected detailing teams who serviced Air Force One, and other historical airplanes, and now artifacts!  Scott explains that detailing is not what mainstream customers are accustomed to. No....In fact, Scott graduated from a prestigious detailing academy to ensure that he and team are at the top of their game. This is why he continues to service high end sports cars (Porsches), and gets to wax on/was off those McLarens!  Check out Scott's Instagram page at 993Cahrera (not a misspelling) for the latest pics!  Listen to how God has used Scott through this platform for the Kingdom.  Scott's an OG for the G-O-D.  You won't want to miss this episode! 

In part one of this two part interview, I get the awesome opportunity to talk to Doug Cho, a local leader, who literally took a leap of faith to go from a lucrative career in the marketplace and into ministry. And it wasn't to start any ministry. Doug, led by God, launched a ministry to help those who are dealing with depression.  Depression is highly stigmatized and never romanticized. It's hard enough to talk about it in general but it is arguably even more taboo in church circles. Doug brings his unique perspective because he's been dealing with depression most of his own life.   Depression is prevalent not only among the general workforce, but it is also front and center for many faith based entrepreneurs, ministers of Christ, leaders, and influencers.  Join us as Doug candidly shares his experience and how he has navigated the tough terrain of anxiety, depression, isolation, and how God has walked with him every step of the way!   PS: Below is some help that you can tap into.   1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET. Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-TALK (8255) Disclaimer: Neither Doug Cho nor Johnny Shiu are mental professionals.  The content offered on this podcast and this episode is strictly anecdotal. If you are suffering from mental illness, seek a professional for help.   

No doubt your "Why" is very important when it comes to your brand and business.  As popularized by Simon Sinek defining one's why is an exercise that we all must go through. However, don't let defining your WHY paralyze you from executing your business idea.  In this episode, we go over why selling first trumps pontificating the reason why your business exists.  Sure, we have to come to grips at some point; as your business matures your WHY will evolve and crystallize. The goal of launching your business of course is to generate revenue and turn a profit. When you do so, your customers will inform you on why they patronized your business.  You will learn their pain points and continuously improve the customer experience.  As a result, your WHY will mushroom organically  If you enjoy the content please share and comment.  I look forward to hearing from you at agapecaz@yahoo.com.  Blessings! 

Have you ever been in a rut?  Ever feel like you have no hope?  Have you ever felt an overwhelming sense of despair?  You are not the only one! In this episode, we discuss the how to hold onto hope.  When left to our own devices we may spiral into negative thinking due to business problems, family issues, or challenges at church, it may be hard to see the forest from the trees. Our hope is in Jesus of course.  When we reconnect with God we feel a sense of peace.  We can attack our negative thinking by taking every thought captive. That means we have to recompose our negative thoughts and insert God's promises into our minds.  There are several actions we can take to get ourselves out of that feeling of hopelessness.  You won't want to miss this important episode!  Please share and comment to support this podcast!  Blessings! 

In this episode, we talk about the importance of focusing on our strengths and not our weaknesses.  Academia and culture have been leading forces in pointing out our shortcomings and weaknesses.  While we need to recognize them we must not dwell on them. Why? The reason is ultra important!  The more we focus on our strengths the better we do.  We do what comes naturally do us.  As a result, we should be more productive, and happier!  As for me, I tend to lean more towards the arts.  (Check out my art at johnnycaz360 on Instagram if you'd like).  When we try to improve on our weaknesses we divert valuable resources and time on what we are great at (not just good), while the competition (in business) is crushing it!  Instead, as business leaders, ministry leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers we need to learn to capitalize on what we are great at, and let others do what we are NOT great at. Basically, delegate, and attack.  With this mindset, you are "strength training."  When we delegate the side effect is that we empower those who are great at what we are are not great at.  They add more value, and you as the leader add more value.  Consequently, your customers become the direct beneficiaries of your overall leadership!  Business Women Media 2014 from which this episode was adapted.   https://www.thebusinesswomanmedia.com/focusing-on-your-strengths-important/  

In this episode, we celebrate the first dozen episodes by looking at 12 action steps to developing rock star team members.  As entrepreneurs, if you have team members you want them to be thoroughbreds!  The same would be true if you are a leader at a church, or an influencer at your organization.  It comes down to leading people to be the best that they can be. We find this in scripture where Jesus was straight, told the truth, but led the 12 to maturity (well 11:)).  In the ever competitive marketplace, how can we has faith based entrepreneurs cultivate, foster, and create a work environment where our team members thrive?  How can we help them say to themselves: "I can't wait to go to work (because it's not really work)!" As a hint, one of the action steps that we can implement immediately is to be a source and resource of encouragement!  Encourage, don't disparage!  Listen to this episode and see if any (or all) of the 12 steps resonate with you.   As always, email me at agapecaz@yahoo.com; I love to hear from you! Blessings. 

In this episode, I interview Jim Park a lifelong entrepreneur and recent purveyor of The Living Water Movement. After working in finance and mortgage industry, Jim garnered much success.  He had it all - the house, the cars, the wife, and the picket fence!  But in his own words, he wasn't happy.  He was saved and everything changed!  In fact, have you ever abandoned property?  Like millions of dollars worth of?  You'll have to listen to see what happened!  Next, Jim was set up and called to get into Social Media Marketing.  With no coding or digital chops to necessarily speak of, Jim dove head in and learned the craft on his own.  Like a true entrepreneur!   After some success, just as he had experienced in the mortgage industry, God pulled Jim into a different direction.  Knowing that we need only seek God's righteousness (Psalm 37:25), Jim knew that he wouldn't go hungry. After much prayer, and fellowship with his wife, Jim decided to get into the Living Water movement! (https://www.facebook.com/BettysLivingWater/) What can be more basic than water?  We all need it.  But not all water is created equal.  While Jim does not provide any medical advice, he has become a believer in Kangen water (www.enagic.com) Kangen Water® is delicious water created from Enagic's innovative water technology. Not only do these devices filter your tap water, but they also produce ionized alkaline and acidic waters through electrolysis. These waters can be used for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, beauty, and cleaning.  Jim himself uses the water as well as his family.  (www.thelivingwater.co) From countless testimonies across the country and the world, Kangen water seems to cleanse and revitalize our biology literally from the inside out.  Check it out for yourself.   Contact Jim!  Do your research, and pray to see if Kangen can rock your world! 

In this exciting conclusion of my interview with founder of DIVIN3KINGDOM, Choong Man, Kim, CMK gets personal and shares his struggles with addiction, and depression.  God frequently uses those who have gone through the valley of death so that we can be ambassadors for his cause.  The saying goes, "follow the General with most scars!" We all have collected our fair share of medals, and badges of honor, but what we do with them is key.  CMK introduces his team, many whom have also gone through their own trials and tribulations.  But together, they preach the Gospel through Christian hip hop, dance, and the spoken word to those in need.  (Check out their biographies in part one's show notes) CMK reminds us that it's easy to dine with those who look just like us.  And many times, that's what we do.  But as Jesus said in the Gospels, we should dine with those who look nothing like us.  It's a sober reminder that we should be open to connect with those who are hurting and seeking. And you can help CMK and crew at www.divin3kingdom.org by donating to the cause and the advancement of God's Kingdom! 

In part one of my interview with Choong Man Kim, Founder of Divine Kingdom (www.divin3kingdom.org), we chat candidly about his beginnings, upbringing, along with his struggles early in life.  CMK like many had his share of battles during childhood but he quickly found a gift in rhyme and wit.  Quick on his feet, and light on his toes, CMK was natural at battle rapping.  CMK was fierce in competition and would earn the respect of his friends and fellow battle rappers; soon, though, he discovered that in the heat of battle words can hurt.   God impressed upon CMK that he can use that same gift for good. How?  Through certain mentors in his high school and college days, he discovered that he can use his talent for the glory of God. After graduating from the prestigious Gateway Seminary earning his M. Div, CMK was led to rap for God. He launched Divine Kingdom, a creative Christian events ministry.  CMK, and his team travel the Bay Area and afar to preach the Word of God to the needy through music, rhyme, and impressive production.  Each of his team members are blessed in their own right as creatives.  But together, they form a core of artists, videographers, DJs, and Wordsmiths that touch people's hearts.  Debbie Ann Kim- http://www.divin3kingdom.org/koaladeb David Sundmand - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/liftid DJ Elyon - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/elyon Sean Choi - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/thejoonshk It's about connecting with people, and connecting with them on their turf.  Words are truly in the power of the tongue, and brother CMK and his multi-faceted team take their gifts to the trenches and front lines to save souls!   

In today's show, we take the opportunity in the midst of the biggest US College Admissions Scandal to discuss what is really important when it comes to hiring qualified team members.  In general, society puts a heavy premium on college, and especially name brand colleges and universities. Students and parents alike feel tremendous pressure in doing all that they can to gain an edge in the admissions process.  But as employers, and Divinepreneurs, what can we do to allay this overemphasis?  Are we occasionally biased towards someone who has the right pedigree even?  (line of engineers, having been groomed from the "big" companies, or having a certain legacy?) What may we look for in a team member that is beyond the four-year degree?  Of course, the team member should have the requisite qualifications and skillset but rarely does a BA degree tell all.  After all, college is not a barometer for grit, hunger, humility, or having the ability to deal with people.  Having a college degree in hand is awesome but someone with a chip on her shoulder may be that powerhouse you can nurture and grow.  As Divinepreneurs, we can learn much from Jesus who selected perhaps not necessarily the brightest - but ones who were willing to learn, and be trained. 

Money affects every part of our lives. Whether we like it or not, it's critical to have the right view of money.  There is only three things we can do with money: invest it, spend it, and give it away. But how we look at money will affect all three aspects.  As Christ followers, and business minded people we are only managers of God's resources.  And that includes the financial gains that he gives us.  By contrast, if we view that we are owners of our money we ultimately may fall into the trap of anxiety, feelings of lack, and discontentment.   Money is such an important topic that Jesus spoke of it a lot in the Bible.  Money mentioned in the Bible  800 times as a whole Money is such an important topic in the Bible that it is the main subject of nearly half of the parables that Jesus told. There are more than 2,000 verses on money. Help the Poor and Needy Jesus taught that we should use our financial resources to help the poor and needy through benevolence (Luke 10:29-37; 18:18-25; compare James 2:15-17) and missions/ministry support (Luke 8:1-3; 10:1-9). Meet needs of family Jesus taught that we should use our material possessions to meet essential family needs (Matthew 7:7-12; Mark 7:9-13; compare 1 Timothy 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10). Calculate Jesus taught that we should exercise careful money management and exercise wisdom prior to making any purchase (Luke 14:28-30). Stewards Jesus taught, particularly through his frequent illustrations of stewards (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1-13) and farming (Matthew 13:8, 23; John 4:34-38), that it is appropriate, and even expected by the Lord, to invest our resources for long-term gain and/or financial security. By great contrast, the world tends to tell us that we don't enough. We need more. Upgrade. Get the latest Jordans! (Oh, I do like the Js). There's nothing wrong with having stuff, but we should not let the stuff have us.   Getting our own financial engine tuned first will pay massive dividends in our personal lives and business dealings.  For example, being debt free, having an emergency fund, saving for those rainy days, and giving generously paves a healthy and Godly way to managing our business for the glory of God!   

In this week's episode, we discuss gratitude (gratefulness; appreciation). As leaders, faith based entrepreneurs, and Kingdom warriors, we should lead the charge in expressing gratitude.   Gratitude is not just a feeling; it is a practice.  I have started journaling again and I have found that starting off my day with introspecting on blessings, and simple things in life sets the tone for the entire day.  Am I perfect at it?  Oh, no way!  Check out in our favorite App store the 5mG App for a quick and easy way to journal about what you are grateful for. Or, you can use artifacts like pencil and paper!  As entrepreneurs and leaders, we need to realize that expressing gratitude can actually help the business's bottom line. When we appreciate team members it directly affects their mindset, and consequently work product.  Many employees feel under or unappreciated at the workplace.  See https://www.octanner.com/content/dam/oc-tanner/documents/global-research/White_Paper_Performance_Accelerated.pdf In fact, in an article published by HR Dive (Sept 11, 2018) (https://www.hrdive.com/news/words-of-affirmation-top-remote-and-onsite-workers-reward-preference/531896/), many workers prefer words of affirmation over monetary reward as a driver.  In a Harvard Health article published in November of 2011, “In Praise of Gratitude,” researchers found that “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” Of course, we are not saying that gratitude is a means to profit.  No. Gratitude is an end in and of itself.  Expressing gratitude actually meets several of the six human needs (you'll have to listen to check these out).  The net effect is happier employees and a healthier business.  Gratitude truly is a powerful virtue.  God has blessed us (and continues to bless) with life, and freedom.  When we realize that he is in control of all things we are truly set free!   

As faith based entrepreneurs we are far from being immune from fear.  While there is a healthy fear that protects us, we all experience more so the other type of fear. The type that can paralyze us.  Entrepreneurs are known to be action-oriented and maybe even "fearless?"   Well, the enemy is more subtle than we are and has been at this game for a long time.  From fear of failure, to fear of missing out (FOMO) the unhealthy types of fear often leads to anxiety - a natural byproduct.  Fear can stop us when we are "that" close to the finish line.  And when we are working for the glory of God you can be sure that the enemy will do anything to "steal, kill, and destroy" our efforts.  However, we can employ a playbook in how to deal with fear.  A type of advanced decision making process or ADM.  Equipped with God's Word as the first line of defense, there are steps and a "practice" that we can try out to kick fear in the face.   Join me for some practical real talk on this most important topic. 

As I get older I hear more voices! LOL! All joking aside isn't that true though? In such a noisy web 2.0 world, there are so many voices and outlets vying for our attention.  But God, if we listen closely, has always been the original voice in us. Yes, the enemy competes against this voice. As Christian entrepreneurs, influencers, and leaders we have a duty to listen and follow God's leading in business and life.  And when it comes to hearing what God wants us to do for our work/vocation there are ways to "know" what direction we should go. I believe that as free people we can integrate ministry, and business together. Whether God has called you to be an individual contributor or a founder of a company we can use the platform ultimately for the glory of God! 

In this episode, I share a little about myself and what I am about.  I think God uses many of us with humble beginnings to be his hands and feet.  It's important to reflect so we can move forward.  But it's equally important to not get stuck in the past.  The past should inform us, not constrain us. God has abundance for you my friends! 

Welcome to the Divinepreneur Set Free Podcast!  I am your host Johnny Shiu, aka #shiuyaright!  I am so thankful you found us and more thankful that you decided to give this a try.  In this podcast, we will focus on your dreams, needs, and challenges as faith based business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, and influencers.  It has to start somewhere.  And I have to start somewhere!  So, in this origin episode I lay out the basics.  Come on in!  Let's do business God's way!