Tyora Moody - When Women Become Business Owners

This book is dedicated to my mother. She was the first female entrepreneur I was ever exposed to in my life. Her thirty years as a beauty salon owner and her loyal clientele have been my inspiration to pursue entrepreneurship since I was twelve years old.

All books start as an idea. The idea behind the Stepping Into Victory compilations seemed a bit strange to me at first, but I couldnt let go of creating a platform for a nonfiction series as a spin-off to a fiction series. I just felt like there were real stories to be told. That there were real women who have learned victory comes in developing a deep trust in God especially when it came to running a business.

I want to thank Robin Caldwell who was the first person to hear me talk about this idea. I had no idea how to pull together an anthology, but her guidance and assistance with recruiting talent was invaluable to me.

This anthology would not exist without the contributions of the following: Dr. Linda D. Beed, Dr. Monica Moe Anderson, Robin Caldwell, Rochelle Carter, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, Sha-Shana Crichton, Melina Druga, Shanequa Gay, Naa Harper, LaShanda Henry, Jeanette W. Hill, LaShaunda Hoffman, Leah Hubbard, Sarah Keeva (K. Harris), Yolanda Johnson-Bryant, Tamika Nicole, Savai Smith, Renee Spivey, Tabitha Vinson, Jamillah Warner, Angelia White and Renee Wiggins. The transparency and willingness to share your entrepreneurial journeys has inspired me and I pray it will inspire the readers of this book.

I cant remember just exactly when I met Tyora Moody. What I can say is that Im glad that I did; because her presence in my life has truly been a blessing. If asked to describe her, Id say, Tyora Moody is one I consider a slow-walker. That definition by no means refers to her as being slow. I use those words to reference the fact that this accomplished and humble woman just slow-walked her way to the top.

Her fount of knowledge about technology and willingness to share what she knows with others has made her input and services a much sought-after commodity. Like Lydia of Thyatira, Ms. Moody has proven to be a diligent business woman who is enthusiastic about her gifts. Her skill set is varied and her thirst for knowledge keeps her seeking opportunities that benefit her and others. That multiple gifting consumes much of her time, but she has not allowed business to interfere with her lifestyle of worship.

As an author Tyora has poured her heart and soul into the craft. The results of those efforts are stories that entertain and provoke conversation regarding the subject matter. Her abilities and caring for others are such that Im not surprised that she would reach out to others to compile this work.

This work is one that is long overdue and sheds more light on the growing arena of women-owned businesses. As a female business owner I can empathize with the challenges that come with trying to balance the running of a business with family and ministry obligations. Within these pages the authors share a bit of the same as they become transparent. That transparency allowed them to share their experiences of being religious, financially challenged, facing opposition from male counterparts and having the faith to step into businesses they had no knowledge of. In their own way I believe that these stories will be inspirational and in some cases, become a call-to-action or the ember that will burst into a flame to reignite smoldering dreams.

Each story, although different, have a common thread. It is that thread that seams together a blanket of hope for anyone who takes the time to read and embrace what can be achieved When Women Become Business Owners.

Dr. Linda F. Beed
President/On Assignment Publications
Founder/Its In Your Hand Foundation

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

On New Years Eve in 2005, I sensed I had reached a crossroads in my life. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, I scribbled down my reflections of the past year and asked God for a new direction creatively. You see I live and breathe creativity. I get bored easily and I have found those sparks of creativity re-ignite me when Im at my lowest points. It might have been a few days later, but vivid scenes showed up in my mind. The concept wasnt foreign to me, as a child, and then as teenager I loved making up stories. But like a lot of us, as we grow older, I buried the joy of storytelling.

So from 2006 to 2008, I wrote and re-wrote the first book in a trilogy called The Victory Gospel Series. It was my first attempt at writing Christian Fiction. It wasnt until 2013, when I was editing the third and final book in this series that I noticed a few things. Each one of the main characters in the books, Candace When Rain Falls, Angel When Memories Fade and Lenora When Perfection Fails were female entrepreneurs. Now oftentimes writers receive advice from other writers to write what you know. It wasnt intentional on my part to make these women entrepreneurs, but it served as an example of how real life can be woven into fiction.

I have been an entrepreneur for over fifteen years. There are many life experiences and events that shape a persons faith. For me the many, many moments of helping clients achieve their vision without a doubt have shaped my faith. My skill level has grown, my business sense has matured and my discernment has sharpened. Thats after countless times of flat out getting it wrong.

How often have you been in a situation when you realized, painfully afterwards, that you and a client are not a good fit? How often have you felt overwhelmed as you burned the midnight oil to get a project completed on time? Have you ever wanted to throw your hands up in the air when yet another client decides they dont have the funds to pay for a project you have been diligently working on?

When you decide to start your own business, thats a walk of faith. When you decide to walk away from your full-time, very stable job, thats a walk of faith. When youre laid off from your job or your financial circumstances changes drastically, its a walk of faith as you seek to earn the only income you can with the skills you possess. Being an entrepreneur is truly a walk on water and if youre not careful you will find yourself sinking like Peter when he took his eyes of Jesus (Matthew 14:29-30). Because there is no doubt the winds will blow to distract you and cause you to stumble. At that moment fear may try to take over your thoughts, but you have to remember Jesus already gave you the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).