How to Follow Your Big Dreams Even If You Have to Start Small (Interview with Nedra Womble, CEO of Then What, LLC)
If God has given you a desire or dream, He’s also given you the ability to bring it forth! You only need to push past your fears and self-doubt into the land of “get started.”
Hey Fam!
Welcome to the 36th issue of The Aim and Soar Life, a weekly Christian personal growth and lifestyle newsletter that provides actionable, relatable, biblically rooted content to help you live abundantly and GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
November is upon us already! I can’t believe it!
The theme for the month is DREAM BIG! Yes! In our 19th issue, “Five Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Give Up on Your Dreams (No Matter What Age You Are)” I noted a few reasons why giving up on your dreams is not an option. Check out the post if you haven’t already or re-read it for inspiration.
I’m SUPER EXCITED about today’s post because it includes a special interview with Nedra Womble, my dear friend (actually she’s my bestie), and owner of Then What, LLC, a spiritual sportswear company.
What’s in Your Heart?
Do you have a business or ministry idea in your heart, but don’t know where to start? That alone can be overwhelming, but don’t let it keep you from moving forward. I’m a firm believer that God often puts dreams in our hearts because they are a part of His purpose for our lives.
Our dreams and desires can be the very tools God uses to enable us to bless others.
Are You Dreaming Scared?
Have you given up on your dreams by convincing yourself you don’t have the time, skills, or resources to pursue them? Trying to follow your Big Dreams can be scary and intimidating. But don’t fret. I’ve got great news for you!
If God has given you a desire or dream, He’s also given you the ability to bring it forth! You only need to push past your fears and self-doubt into the land of “get started.”
Let’s dust off those ideas and start Dreaming BIG with Nedra Womble, CEO of Then What, LLC, a spiritual sportswear company.
Nedra, what led you to start your business?
Truthfully, the pandemic changed my life. At the beginning of the pandemic, I could no longer work at the job I’d had for over 15 years due to health concerns about contracting Covid. I worked in a medical setting, and I was not allowed to work from home like some others. The problem was, I have a pre-existing medical condition that would have made contracting Covid even more dangerous for me. At the time for me, it boiled down to life and death, so I made the decision to resign. This was before there were any vaccines. I made the decision with much prayer and felt that God had given me peace about the decision.
While at home, I kept feeling that there was something more I should be doing for Christ. I wanted to start a business, but I wanted it to honor God.
What was it like starting a business at that time, with the uncertainty of Covid? We hardly knew anything about it then, just that it was responsible for the deaths of so many people.
It was scary! I felt stupid. I second-guessed myself so many times—about quitting my job, about everything. But when I prayed and received wise counsel from others, I felt God was giving me a green light.
How did you actually get started? Explain how you went from having an idea to creating a business.
(Laughs). I didn’t know what I was doing! I asked questions and enlisted the help of those who already had businesses like you and others.
Based on the information I received, the first thing I did was establish an LLC. I love fashion and I wanted something that would represent my faith and serve as a message to others, so I decided on the name Then What, LLC.
Wow. Share with us the significance of your business name and sportswear line.
The name Then What comes from a question I asked myself one day when I thought about how we treat God. I wondered what life would be like if God treated us the same way we treat Him. For example, what if God gave us the same amount of time and attention we give Him? What would that look like? It would be terrible.
We get busy in life and forget all about God, making Him second, or giving Him no place in our lives at all. I thank God that He is faithful even when we aren’t. Then What is a reminder to consider God in all you do.
Since we are talking about following big dreams by starting small, share a step-by-step guide on how someone would go about establishing a business.
A person wishing to start a business must first register the business name with their state commerce office for a fee. In Michigan, it costs about $50. After that, you need to obtain a tax ID number from the federal government by going to the irs.gov site. Use the link: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers. This is a FREE service.
Next, you would establish a business bank account. This will keep your personal and business records separate which makes for good stewardship and easier accounting at tax time. Also, this will help you to write off legitimate expenses for your business. For example, when you pay for marketing or business supplies, you can write these things off as expenses and hopefully reduce your tax liability.
Afterward, you should trademark your business name as well. This can be done through the USPTO.
Sounds good. What if someone reads this and says, I really want to start a business or ministry but I don’t have any resources?
Well, I didn’t have a lot of resources either. I understand that. Times are hard right now. But we all have some resources available to us, and they are not always monetary. You can fundraise and seek investors if necessary. Pray about your vision or dream and share with those whom God leads you to share with. Others may be able to assist you in getting your dream off the ground.
This is true. I assisted quite a few people with setting up businesses or websites during the pandemic. Bartering for service may be a good idea. How did you come up with capital for your business?
I used my savings, which was not an enormous amount. However, it was enough to get me started and tide me over for a few months. I continually invest back into my business. The first few years of a business are the toughest. You have to be dedicated and keep at it. Don’t give up.
Nedra, What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with your business?
My big dream is to be able to create generational wealth for my family and leave a legacy for my kids and grandkids. Most of all, I hope when people see my brand it will start conversations about God and faith. Someone usually asks, “What does Then What mean?” This allows me to talk to them about Jesus and the purpose of my sportswear brand! I create sportswear for children thru adult sizes. There is something for everyone!
What advice would you give to others who have dreams in their hearts?
Pray about your dreams and ask God to direct you
Keep a journal of your ideas
Make a plan
Get help from others
Seek out training (YouTube videos, online courses)
GET STARTED!!!
THANKS, NEDRA! How can people purchase Then What apparel or connect with you?
My website is: Thenwhat.shop
Instagram: @thenwhatllc
Facebook: Then What Spiritual Sportswear
I hope you have been inspired by Nedra’s story. Getting started is half the battle. You will never get your BIG dreams off the ground if you don’t get started. Through prayer and hard work, you can start moving that mountain.
Remember Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, NIV
1 Ship your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3 If clouds are full of water,
they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed[a] in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.
Until Next Time,
GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.
Sherrhonda
P.S.
I’d LOVE for you to meet me on the web: