Remember Who You Are: William Van de Planque and the Business of IdentityLike many of us, William Van de Planque was working a regular, secular job when he knew he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to work somewhere and in a way that would keep Jesus at the center of everything he did. As he discerned his path to his current position as a ghostwriter for Christian coaches, he perceived that ‘who’ we are goes deeper than our ‘why,’ contrary to frequent business advice. Keeping grounded in our identity is an undervalued virtue today. But William shared how it can inform our mindset to proper relationship building as business owners. Mindset 1: We Are God’s Beloved Children“This is the core of our identity, the deepest part of our identity. And I really believe that everything else should flow from that.” The name of his business speaks to this mindset: “Beloved Son.” If we can’t understand our value as humans, nothing else can ground us. We risk getting swept away by worldly attitudes if we don’t keep our eyes, and our selves, centered in God. Mindset 2: The World (& Other Christians) Will Think We’re CrazyStaying grounded in God sounds easier, but it isn’t just the world doubting you. Even friends and families – even other Christians – can think you’re crazy. “When the world thinks you're crazy, you probably may be doing something right,” William shares, but it is also one of his greatest challenges as a Christian business owner. It is a struggle when people close to you doubt the choices you’re making. “Money is not the captain of [his] ship,” and buzzwords like scalability aren’t his ultimate goal. Even in the realm of Christian business owners, profit can outweigh Jesus, and William recognizes that being seen as crazy is a risk worth taking. Mindset 3: Allow the Holy Spirit to WorkBusiness founders are motivated people. They like to do things their own way. They like to be in charge.
But there is one person in charge – or rather one being in three persons. And if we stay grounded in our identity as the Creator’s beloved child, it’s easier to recognize His authority and our place in his plan. Rather than trying to do everything ourselves, William recommends we discern and let the Spirit lead. “I feel like the Holy Spirit can work so much faster, and he can just kind of do his work when we just get out of the way and let him.” And those mindsets should serve Christian entrepreneurs, no matter where they are on their journey. If you’re a Christian life coach looking to gain more traction on LinkedIn, or just someone who wants to stay grounded in who they are, connect with William. It was a pleasure to speak with him as he launches his new business.
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The Journey is the Business: Brad Utpadel and Continual DiscernmentHaving a successful business isn't the goal. I was recently joined in conversation with lifelong learner Brad Utpadel to speak about his insights from his life, and I was impressed by his mindset of perpetual change. A self-described autodidact, Brad shared the connection between faith, family, and work. Here are some lessons I took away: 1) It's Easier to See God After the FactAround the age of 40, Brad started to meaningfully reflect on his life and relationships. How important was religion to him? Where was God? But through the reflection of God's role in his life up to that point, it became easier for Brad to let God incorporate him into His mission and invite God into his continual discernment. "We need more sacred in the secular," Brad encouraged, and faith is strengthened when we have spent time in honest reflection. 2) You Can't Control Your LegacyAs reflection shows us more about God, our legacy will also be up to the future. But he looks to his grandchildren and tries to model a life of someone who tries to walk with God. The virtue of not being able to control your legacy is that it keeps you humble. God's hand is always in our story, and leaving the ending of our story to Him keeps us humble, human, and trusting in God. 3) The Place Where God Calls You is the Place Where Your Deep Gladness and the World's Deep Hunger MeetBrad has his hands in many projects. Always curious, he enjoys thinking deeply about life's questions and relationships. But what matters more than any particular role he's had is his family. It's his family that has kept him grounded and motivated to try new things in the economy. And it's the journey with his family that really is the business: not a particular job, but THE economic activity of entrepreneurship. Courage, curiosity, and the willingness to go to unexpected places.
And one day, you will hopefully find the place where God calls you, what we're all looking for. A conversation with Brad is a great way to share where we’re at and where we’re going. If you also enjoy animated conversations, be sure to get to know Brad. Where can you find him? Connect with him on LinkedIn or follow his Substack at https://www.fontsandpints.com/ Joy in Business: Brigid Tebaldi & EntrepreneurshipHow can we work from a place of Christian joy in the day-to-day grind of business? I recently spoke with Brigid Tebaldi, owner of Five Fillies Farm and Loreto Wellness, about her path, and the mindset that struck me was joy. Not happiness, a temporary feeling, but a real state of being. She shared honestly about several different stages in her life and career, and each one demonstrates how to stay grounded in our faith. The Discernment StruggleBefore starting her businesses, Brigid had what seemed like a doable, concrete goal: becoming a vet. But what seemed like a good career path and a rewarding life was blocked off. There were closed doors to every opportunity. At the time, it was confusing. In retrospect, it was a huge blessing. Getting married and raising the children the way that she wants, with the values that she wants, wouldn't have been possible with that lifestyle. What feels like failure is disheartening at the time, but it forces us to trust in God's bigger picture for us and for our businesses. Finding Joy in God's Bigger PictureWhen business and careers are uncertain (Is this the right plan? Will I get this job interview?), and we are forced to trust only in God, Brigid reminds us that we still have value. We have worthiness from God, and if Christ is the foundation of all that we do, we can manage life and business better. Joyfully, even. She shares, "If you cannot be joyful, you cannot be authentically you." And if you can't be authentically you, your business will suffer. Agreeing to work but bearing resentment about clients or projects will wear you down. She recommends setting a standard agreement that is thorough and clear, so that you can work with joy and not annoyance at the details. Building Your Business for God's Glory"God never wastes anything."
Whether we are struggling to discern the path for our business, or struggling with a particular customer, Brigid encourages us to trust in what we're doing. God can use it for good. All glory of our work goes to God, and we have to trust that He will tend the soil and reap the rewards. If you're a female entrepreneur and you're struggling with finding this joy, you're not the only one. Brigid's coaching business Loreto Wellness combines faith and biology to help nervous systems relearn how to regulate. Follow her on LinkedIn for more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigidtebaldi/ Other useful content from her: Podcast: The Discerning Mother: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-discerning-mother/id1800017587 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Brigid.tebaldi Website: https://www.loretowellness.com/ And Pittsburgh-area locals can rent her farm for special occasions! Brigid’s positive, grounded outlook can help all business owners remember what really matters. Memento Mori for the Christian Business LeaderSitting down with Joe Coleman made one thing clear: being a Christian business leader brings moral responsibility. Founder of Saint Kolbe Studios and Quill & Wave, Joe has worked in broadcast radio, marketing, and sales, but he determined that some people are wired to work for themselves. With a mix of faith, confidence, and maybe just a little hubris, he founded Saint Kolbe Studios to let faith-driven business owners increase their reach using their own voice. And making a place for dignified work in the economy comes with responsibility. Or as Joe says, “Be better.” The Road to Hell is Paved with the Skulls of Business LeadersChristian business leaders realize that their choices matter, but Joe is willing to speak clearly about what that really means: the things you do can send you to Hell. Perhaps you're considering starting a new business, launching a new product, or hiring a new position. We have to avoid the fear that may arise as well as grey moral areas. Joe admitted that without morals, it would likely be a lot easier to make a lot of money. Put the shareholders (and yourself) first, maximize profit, and minimize concern for consequences. Better for bank accounts, but not for your soul. Measure Choices Against Eternal JudgmentBut sometimes, the choices are less obvious. “You can get into this consequentialist mindframe that allows you to exist in this greyer area than you should probably be in.” Joe admits that the hard thing often isn't avoiding evil, but giving up a good to do something right. But we earn far more eternal rewards when we use what we've been given for good. When we use our talents poorly, there are consequences, even if we don't do anything obviously wrong. Primary Goal is Dignified WorkThis is the mindset that motivates Joe in his podcasting work. The ultimate goal for all of us is the spreading of the Gospel and attaining Heaven. But the primary good for business is its role in dignified work. He offers his clients an opportunity to speak to their audience and do more work. Work itself is a tangible good for humanity. So what's good for work is good for Joe. Make Your Voice HeardBe sure to listen to our full conversation on YouTube to learn more about Joe's journey and advice to other Christian business leaders. As he sums up: you're never more tolerant to risk than you are earlier in your journey. Prudence doesn't mean letting fear decide for you.
And if you've had an itch to start a podcast? Be sure to contact Joe Coleman or visit Saint Kolbe Studios. He's an absolute pro to work with. Build My Church: Roger Vasko, the Guild, and Catholic FamiliesFor many Catholic workers in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, the St. Joseph Business Guild and Roger Vasko are synonymous with the Catholic economy. It was my pleasure to talk with him recently as he prepares for the Guild’s big event. And what inspired him to start the Guild? During his retirement, Roger was drawn by the phrase "faith-filled holy marriages" in his daily prayer, and after contemplation, formed a vision for the Guild. It was a rare, immediate insight, and he sees how God has provided for the Guild and Catholic workers since this inception. As we prepare for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which the Guild is celebrating with a huge fair, Roger shares some tips for Christian business owners and making the most of the Guild. Tip #1: Stay Close to the Lord"God works in ways you don't fathom," he observes. A business endeavor may not go the way that you expect. Nevertheless, if you are open to God's ways and God's time, Roger has found that you will get what you need. For the Guild, that means that donations will come at the last moment. Volunteers step up to help. Someone is there to keep the mission going. And the best way to stay close to the Lord, especially when you feel stressed and busy, is daily prayer. One of the struggles as a leader is that there is so much to do, but it doesn't pay to put off time with God to get more work done. (Roger’s routine is Adoration and Mass!) Tip #2: Guild Influence Can Reach To All LevelsAt the upcoming St. Joseph's Day Fair, Roger hopes to see the Guild get put on the map in a bigger way -- among all Catholic workers, among the Church members, and among larger, Catholic-owned businesses. The latter especially will help elevate the Guild's influence. Roger's tip for Catholics who own larger businesses is for them to remember that they have the hiring power. Entrepreneurs are currently the backbone of the Guild, but the real impact will come when organizations of all levels support Catholic workers with meaningful employment. Tip #3: Wealth is Not Your OwnRoger's final tip is a reminder to all Christian business owners: the business and wealth are not your own, but are to be used to build the Kingdom. By building our families and our economy, we can build the Church. Local Community Matters: See For Yourself at the FairTo all those who live in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area, now is the time to see for yourself. All Catholic workers, religious, students - anyone who participates in the economy - is invited to the St. Joseph's Fair.
Come away to strengthen, and be strengthened by, the great work being done in our Archdiocese! And support the work the Guild is doing! Ticket includes vendor market, breakout sessions, speakers, lunch, and admission to "Saintly Ventures!" Ite Ad Joseph. And follow the St. Joseph Business Guild on LinkedIn! Meeting Pedro Cadena: A Catholic Business Owner's TestimonyThere is a rich difference among Christian business owner testimonies: people of all ages and backgrounds pursuing holy entrepreneurship. But there's something special about the testimony of a seminarian turned international business recruiter. Recently I was able to speak with Pedro Cadena Díaz, co-founder of Servorum, on his background and journey. And what ties his testimony together is the deep obedience to God's call for his life, moment to moment. He recently shared a summary on LinkedIn:  It's all part of God's plan, and Pedro's testimony shows God's foresight. Following God's CallThe willingness to give God everything has marked much of Pedro's journey. Pedro has a long relationship with the Legionaries of Christ in Mexico, and after high school, was admitted into the novitiate. And it wasn't just idle chance that he was accepted and was assigned work in Germany. "The pool of volunteers was small, and I turned out to have the necessary qualifications, which were a high capability for adaptation and a high capability for learning languages fast and efficiently. And also, the emotional capability of being away from the family for long periods of time. So I turned out to be the ideal candidate." So began years of discernment and growth. He worked in Germany, the U.S., and Italy. He studied, taught, and served many families in his time with the Legionaries. But eventually, something changed. He discerned out of seminary and followed another passion. A Passion for Teaching"I got my teaching degree in educational sciences, and also started a master's in language pedagogics, which was very interesting, too. I really enjoy languages, apparently, and teaching them, but also being in contact with young people and helping them figure out how to do things in life, how to study, how to recognize real friends, how to face frustration, how to cope with the big emotions and things like that. So I enjoyed my time as a teacher a lot." His background with the Legionaries helped his skills with languages and relationships flourish. God equipped him for this stage, and he enjoyed it. But when faced with the reality of supporting a future family, he had to make a decision: teaching with low salary, or more financial security. Entrepreneurship and FamilyHe has continued to see God's work as he transitioned through several entrepreneurial attempts to his current blossoming business: Servorum.
His younger brother once shared with Pedro this belief: everything is going to be taken care of, because you can't outdo God in generosity, and you gave him your entire life honestly, with your whole heart, so he can't be outdone, outmatched, so he's going to give you more than that back. Pedro's willingness to give his life to a religious order laid a foundation of extreme trust in God and prudence in life decisions. A skill for travel and adaptability has led to a career of helping business owners and workers find a good fit all around the world, with a goal to support families, the economy, and ultimately demonstrate the Incarnation in every facet of daily life. Big goals, but Pedro sees the talents God has given him. What does it mean for him to be a Catholic Christian business owner? "It means my standard and final judgment is higher than it was before. That's what it means. It means that I'm supposed to be an example for people who work under me, and for my clients, and for everyone." And, maybe, one day, he'll go back to teaching philosophy. Be sure to follow him on LinkedIn and ask him about epistemology and happiness. Faith and Mission in the Christian Business Owner Journey: An Interview with Brooke JoinerThe Christian business owner journey can be a lonely one, but not if you walk it with your spouse. I recently sat down with Brooke Joiner, Co-Founder and CEO of Catholic Owned®, a Catholic business directory available online or via iOS & Android apps. Founded with the mission to regain the culture for Christ, Catholic Owned® "connects faithful Catholics with businesses they can trust" across the United States. Joiner's path serves as a powerful example to Christian entrepreneurs. It's a story of extreme trust in the Lord and provides encouragement to entrepreneurs of all levels. You can listen to the full interview on my YouTube channel, but here are some of my takeaways to business owners. The Role of Trust in the JourneyThe idea came to her husband, Matteo, while they were working in a job that was misaligned with their faith. They initially worked on the idea part-time and were focused on Christian businesses generally. Then two things changed. They needed to work on it full-time to make it work, so they took an amazing leap of faith when their fourth child was a newborn: they quit their other job, they sold their house, and they went entirely in on the mission of growing the reach of values-based businesses. Secondly, when asked to identify Catholic businesses in their directory, they realized they had around 5 out of the 150. They felt conflicted, and they turned it into conviction. "We've given up our home, our careers, we have four children, and yet we cannot even help our own people," Joiner shares. They did about 87 interviews with Catholic businesses over the next 8 days before a pilgrimage/family trip which renewed their mission for the Church. And they've been building it, together, ever since. Serving the Family as a Christian Business OwnerJoiner is especially passionate about working together with her spouse. She views business as a vocation, after marriage and motherhood, and one she personally wouldn't trade for anything: "for all of those [vocations], God has given me the graces and the skills to do those things. So I view it as a responsibility, almost like an obligatory duty to make the most of all the skills and resources that he has given to me. And so that is how I think about it." And when she works with her family, surrounded by her children at home, she sees it as a way to build stronger families. "When we started Catholic Owned® way back when, a really important piece of our story is, 'okay, the job that we have now is not putting the family first. And so we're starting, we're building our own thing and we have to get the family right first and foremost and you build around that.' And a stay-at-home mom with a husband that's out 15 hours a day is not built for the family. So there's not putting a family first there." The Journey to Build the ChurchIt's a natural conclusion to Joiner that when we have stronger families and stronger businesses, we'll have a stronger Church. "Catholic Owned® being successful means that there's never an Archbishop’s Appeal that is unfunded. Parishes are not closing. Schools are not scrambling or closing, right? A lot of Catholic schools consolidating. Catholic families are not struggling because they have, you know, work that pays them enough for them to live according to how they feel called to live. " Businesses thriving means people intentionally purchasing, which drives the economic engine to change the culture. And that alleviates the loneliness of the business owner journey, too: we're all in the mission together of bringing the world to Christ. Joiner offers one final challenge and note of advice: don't overscrutinize fellow Christians and Catholics. There are liturgy wars. There are judgments about women working or school choice. But there is a larger spiritual battle to remember. "Who is the real enemy in this world? It is not our fellow Catholics and our fellow Christians. Working together, we are truly stronger. That is how our beliefs can take root in the culture and we can have the impact that we desire." Join Other Christian Business Leaders on Catholic Owned®Are you another Catholic business on the journey? Consider getting a listing on Catholic Owned® and intentionally Building the New Catholic Economy®.
Continue the conversation with Brooke Joiner on LinkedIn. Thank you for your time, Brooke! Have someone you'd like to see interviewed? Reach out to me with their name! "Fervent in Business": Advice from 3x AI founder, Arturo Del Rio Jr."Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord" - Romans 12:11 Founding businesses with AI-powered solutions for almost a decade (long before it became daily conversation), Arturo Del Rio Jr. is at once intimidating and personable, which in my mind makes him a perfect candidate for a series on being a Christian business leader. Although he hopes to go into ministry full-time by 2027, for now, he is deeply entrenched in sales, technology, and entrepreneurship. He's currently CEO & Founder of Lakeside Growth, creating enterprise-level AI solutions, and TheGroundwork.ai. He’s affiliated with the AI Core Institute, SEOMarketing.com, Buzz, and Pro-Life Payments. But to him, this enterprise level, secular work doesn't mean a separation in identity. "I know the Lord loves me more [than I love my son] and has done more for me. And my motivation has to come from that place." I recently sat down to let Arturo share his mindset on being a Christian Business owner and bring real glory to God in this world's economy. 1) It's never just a business decision"Yeah, Jesus is over here on Sundays, you know what I'm saying? But on Monday, you know, I got to do what I got to do because I'm making decisions based on the knowledge that has come from me in this world. We are not making decisions out of the doctrine that explicitly has told us how to interact all the time, including in business." Arturo highlights an issue that many leaders face, and he says it clearly: God is the God of all things, and He's our master. Our business decisions, interactions, and strategies need to be rooted in the clarity that God is present at all times. He knows he hasn't been perfect on this point. We're surrounded by a world that wants to train us to live without God. Even Christian business owners are often guilty of neglecting Christian values once they leave Sunday service. But as we all hopefully grow in grace and wisdom as we age, the Gospel should be lived in our actions, too. 2) Excellence, not Christianity, is the selling pointAlthough our business decisions align with our values, that isn't the end point. Arturo cautions against using Christianity as the only selling-point for your business. Lower quality services and products don't get a "pass" just because you're religious--especially if you want to have an impact on the wider world. "...this concept that we should be browbeating people because 'I'm a team Jesus guy, you should buy from me.' Are we striving for excellence? How does that [give] glory to our Father? How does that put the life of Christ on display?" Our real motivations matter. 3) Prayer isn't God's to-do listTo Arturo, our effort matters, too. As St. Paul wrote to the Romans in the quotation above, we are supposed to be "not slothful in business." God gave us intelligence, talents, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Christian entrepreneurship should be a journey of multiplying those talents, rather than hoping God will do all the hard work for you. "I would hope that if there's any takeaway from this is, you know, let's really think about who we have been designed to be, and all of those, you know, gifts that we have been given for a reason, and what does that really mean? "Because I think sometimes people say they believe stuff, but if you watch what they do, there's often disparity from what they say. "And maybe intellectually they believe it, and they've gotten so sucked into the world. Myself being one of those guys historically where you've been trained to, you know, live without God. [...]That's what the entire course of this world is about, and Satan's done a great job setting that out. "And this is why most of us in the Christian world, I think, really do compartmentalize things that should not be that way." 4) Avoid fear-based decisionsOne final action point every business leader can put into practice? Avoid fear-based decisions.
Arturo noticed that some of the disconnect, especially when it comes to AI adoption (and AI adoption failures) is that leaders are making poor decisions because of external pressure and fear. We have to change our minds to be focused on doctrine, and then better decisions can be made. "The actions come from first renewing my mind by the understanding of the doctrine. Because if we don't change our minds, we can never change behaviors. "And that's the first step, is truly that understanding. And then we try to filter everything we do from there. [...] "When you act that way, even when things may go wrong, and they will, right? You know what? Your remediation is different because I'm not trying to keep this customer." When serving God and acting well, even when something goes astray, we'll be able to show up at work better than if we see it all about "how many customers can I get?" This attitude seems to have served Arturo well, and may God bless him, his family, his ministry, and his businesses. Be sure to follow him on LinkedIn. |
Christian Entrepreneurship: Working with Faith and LeadershipFaith can significantly influence business strategy. When faced with challenging choices, Christian entrepreneurs often turn to prayer and scripture for guidance. This reliance on faith can lead to more ethical decisions that prioritize the well-being of all stakeholders and building a better economy.
Ethical marketing practices are essential for building a reputable brand that resonates with consumers. Christian business owners can adopt marketing strategies that reflect their values, ensuring that their messaging is truthful and respectful. On this page, you will find real stories, insights, tips, and struggles of Christian business owners leading their organizations with courage. Lisa TheusHelping small businesses market the right way. Archives
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