What is your story?

I grew up on a sixth generation family farm where faith, family, and farming were the center of our lives. I learned the importance of hard work, never leaving a job until it is finished, and being patient when working with other people. I grew up as the middle child of five and absolutely loved it. Having siblings both older and younger taught me a lot about responsibility and considering others as better than myself. Ultimately, I desire to use my passions and abilities to help others wherever my entrepreneurial journey takes me. I plan to manage a company called Creative Encouragers that my mom started 20 years ago, but has not been active in for several years. Many people can relate to the thousands of prayers, requests, and thoughts that run through their minds during their personal prayer time that make prayer overwhelming, bringing stress to the beauty of prayer. Creative Encouragers is a business that seeks to streamline personal prayer life. The main products of this company are Prayer Organizers; a portable binder filled with dividers, day-of-the-week tabs, and prayer pages for various topics and scripture study. I want to revitalize personal prayer in the lives of anyone from a farmer to a politician. "Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers." Colossians 4:2 I also plan to return to a rural community and marry a man who has a passion for both God and agriculture, run a family owned farming operation and invest in young individuals' lives in my future community because human capital is the greatest investment I can ever make.

What is your business?

Re-establishing a business her mother founded called Creative Encouragers Prayer Organizer.

Who is your entrepreneurial inspiration OR biggest hero?

My dad had the traits of an entrepreneur to go against the grain and to create jobs in his rural community that he returned home to after earning a college degree. He expanded a family farm from no employees to four full time and three part-time, plus five hard working kids. Over the years, he instilled new farming practices, including raising and contracting all natural beef. The way he operates our family business alongside my mom and continues to trust wholeheartedly in God amidst drought, hail, adverse commodity prices, and unfair regulations makes me feel that fire in the belly to take on the challenge of entrepreneurship. His character as a businessman is admirable and rare; he is patient and slow to anger in all circumstances (even when I damage the combine auger!). He is an entrepreneurial inspiration and I desire to have the same Christ-like characteristics as he does.

If your story were made into a movie, what actor/actress would portray you and why?

Reese Witherspoon because in her movie Legally Blonde she breaks the stereotypes of blondes and demonstrates that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve your goals. She also encourages and builds others up to become better versions of themselves and I desire to do the same along my entrepreneurial journey.

What advice would you give to a student starting their entrepreneurial journey?

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that God has a specific purpose on this Earth for each of us that He planned before we were even born, which is so exciting! We are a unique masterpiece, with specific talents and abilities that we can either bury or let shine. Use that as motivation to intensely follow your passions. No matter what obstacles come your way, remember, 1 John 4:4 says "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."