Sometimes, when you say yes to the Lord’s invitation to walk out the dreams He put in your heart . . . the struggle is on!
At the same time – and this is exciting – the things you need are there all along, or they show up when the time is right.
Here’s my little story . . . starting on an ordinary day in June, 2018.
Just a few months before, we obtained our business license and LLC. This was the start our side-hustle. This was our dream. Our legacy to our family. My daughter Victoria is the other half of “we.” I get to call her my business partner as well as my beloved, beautiful daughter. Glory to God!
The pair of us dreamed for years of opening an organic tea boutique in our local town. Our dream was quite detailed. Even the location was picked out in our hearts. This dream of ours was always in the future. You know the kind: someday, when . . .
The problem was, there was always a mountain: “The mountain – it’s a big one!” “It takes a lot of capital to open a brick-and-mortar.”
We didn’t want to wait any longer. After all, it had been eight years of actively talking and planning our vision. So, we took one step at a time, our knees knocking.
The opportunity came for me to go part time in the 25-year (full time) career I had served in corporate America. In my mind, I had planned on working full time for one more year, at least. The amount of courage I needed to go part time just then felt huge. See, I had known for a long time that I wanted to own my own business someday; I just did not know what it was going to look like and when – or even if.
Early on in my personal development journey, I learned that I like security. In this context, a paycheck every week. I’m here to tell you when God is ready, though, things change. The Lord had another plan. I still find myself taking deep breaths when I think of this season of my life.
“But God . . . !”
He is always faithful. He made the way for me, every single day, and He’ll do the same for you, whatever He is bringing you to. Whatever dreams He has put in your heart. My advice is, take the next step, with Him by your side.
What kept rising up in my heart was the Lord saying, “Lack ye anything?”
I would answer, “No, Lord.” I am still saying this every time that question rises up, and it has been more than three years. I am so thankful we didn’t wait any longer to start building our business and our brand, and that we took it online. I am now full time in our business . . . but let me take you back to complete my little story.
God is trustworthy. I discovered He will walk you to and through every step of the way, if you ask Him to. He brought tools to help me. Books to read or listen to. I learned a long time ago from Tony Robbins about what he calls N.E.T.: “No Extra Time.” That’s why I enjoy audiobooks and podcasts – even the new app Clubhouse. All these tools, I believe, can be life-changing. With the latter, real relationships can be created. Besides, we can listen while cleaning the house or doing laundry, commuting to work, taking a moment to ourselves, sipping a great cup of tea (wink, wink . . . we can help you with a super-fab and oh-so-delicious “cuppa,” or, if you’re like me, a pot of tea!)
So there I was, on this balmy day in June. My dream and vision was so big – dauntingly so, some days. I believe the book I was listening to was from God. It’s called Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley (2012). It’s been a lifeline to me. I was fully engaged, listening and walking our beautiful beagle Izzy. I was also taking notes in my phone app and building up the courage and mindset that I needed, as well as devising part of our business model. Had I not had these tools, I would have given up before we even started. I would have been defeated in my mind. But I relate to underdogs, which, I am learning, makes me resourceful.
So, on this day – June 7th, 2018. I know the exact day because I wrote down something from Daniel Priestley’s book in my phone app. Then, when I got home, I wrote it on a three-by-three piece of paper, dated it, and taped it to my bathroom mirror.
The book asked us to repeat certain phrases. They became a sort of confession for me. I am looking at them now. Here’s what they say:
“I am already standing on a mountain of value. My story is valuable. My experience is unique.”
“I am highly valuable as I am.”
“All of my future learnings will come from the process of creative output [in Jesus Name, amen].” (I added the bit in brackets.)
I cry sometimes when I read these words taped to my bathroom mirror. For so long, I have had a deep desire to give value through creative output. For the longest time, I did not even realize how important this was to me. It’s a battle: serving from creative expression versus left-brained business thinking. Both are important. But there’s something I say a lot, lately: “I finally feel I am at the right place at the right time, for the first time in my life.”
Now, you may ask me, why a tea boutique? There are three main reasons, but, primarily, Victoria has been studying teas and tinctures and how to help people remove toxins out of their bodies for years. We love to geek out on research. What is really big in our hearts, three years in, is creating a framework for our community. A place to jump in.
Our ideal customer wants to transform his or her life, starting with small tweaks. Not anything big or overwhelming. He or she wants not only to feel better, but also to have more energy. Having more sustainable energy in your day and solid sleep at night is top-of-the-list important, so we are putting together courses and webinars to help our customers create morning and evening routines that work for them, starting with tips and lesser-known techniques to properly and easily prepare leaf tea. Herbs can be blended together to help with specific things. We have created some amazing blends for our customers. Right from the beginning, it was imperative to Victoria and me that the blends we created help people – and taste really good. We’ve done it, too.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus. For your glory!
Lori Miller
Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur
Co-Owner of My Loyal Tea Company with my daughter, Victoria Ranes
GOODNESS STARTS HERE
Please reach out! Follow us over on Instagram @myloyalteacompany. We are very active on social media. Come say hi, and DM us if you have any questions. You are important to us. Let us help.
Want to know the other two reasons why we love tea? We’ll share them on our new podcast called A Tea & A Talk with Lori and Victoria ( https://anchor.fm/ateaandatalk ). At the time of writing, we have released our introductory episode, but Victoria and I have some great content recorded.
Pop over to the website, look at the beautiful teas we have in our boutique of premium blends. All of our ingredients are sourced from certified organic farmers. Your health is important to us. One small decision is all it takes to start to feel better. You’re invited to come along on this journey with us. Take our hands.
Another pioneering venture entitled ‘But God’ and He will continue to open up lives over a cuppa and a chat. Awesome Lori x x
Your story is an inspiration!
So full of encouragement and excitement for creatives, customers, entrepreneurs and everyone! You bring value to the table from the worth and faith that you carry and you are always someone that says I’ve got your back’. Great stuff 👏🏻🥰 x