Featured Member: Jory H. Fisher

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Who are you? Where are you from? I am Jory H. Fisher, JD, ACC, of  www.WomenFindPurpose.com. I am a host of the popular internet radio show Heart & Soul for Women of Faith, and help Christian women entrepreneurs integrate calling, confidence, and clarity into their business so they serve the people they’re meant to serve, make the difference they’re meant to make, and glorify God through success. I reside in Lynchburg, VA, am married to Dave, have 3 daughters, 3 stepdaughters, and 1 stepson.

What do you love about being a female entrepreneur? I’m able to serve God, family, clients, and colleagues from home rather than from an office on the other side of town. I’m also free to create as I feel led.

When and why was your business started? My business started in August 2008. God called me to this work. Although I didn’t grow up with any desire to be an entrepreneur, I responded to this call out of obedience and curiosity.

How did you launch your business and/or dream? After researching several models, I decided to launch my business as an S Corp for credibility purposes, as well as for the tax advantages. I didn’t launch with any fanfare whatsoever. I was still in the process of becoming certified as a Life Coach when I left my position as an associate dean of a law school. I “launched” without a single client.

What is your mission statement? I help Christian, mission-minded women build successful, God-guided businesses so they’ll serve the people they’re meant to serve; make the difference they’re meant to make; and develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God.

How do you stay inspired? I speak regularly with God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); I read uplifting, challenging devotionals and books; I reach out to my husband, friends, and colleagues; and I laugh a lot.

Why do you feel Inspired Women Succeed? Inspiration breeds creativity, competence, and commitment without which success would be elusive.

What are the biggest challenges you have overcome as a female entrepreneur? My three biggest challenges have been (1) Feeling that I’m truly ready to guide my clients to success. Shouldn’t I acquire another certification first? (2) Overcoming the fear of asking clients to pay me what I’m worth. What AM I worth anyway?  (3) Being clear on my purpose…who am I meant to serve and how exactly do I serve them? (4) Selecting the Marketing Musts that work best for me and sticking to them. (5) Maintaining a healthy Money Mindset.

What is your BIG DREAM for your business – what do you hope will happen? I will reach all of the people I’m meant to serve and serve them with humility, competence, distinction, and grace.

How do you incorporate your faith into your business? Faith & Purpose are the linchpin of my business. They charge me up and keep me going. They are why I do what I do and how I guide Christian Women Entrepreneurs to find, follow, and fulfill their own divine calling.

What are your favorite biblical parallels and verses that encourage you? Why?

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Proverbs 3:5-6  ~ “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowedge Him, and He will direct thy paths.”

These verses encourage me to continue discerning God’s plans for my life and to help others do the same for theirs.

How do you promote/market your business? (1) My website, www.WomenFindPurpose.com (2) internet radio show Heart & Soul for Women of Faith: Reflections on Purpose, Passion & Prosperity, (3) weekly ezine, (4) social media, (5) being interviewed on radio shows such as Diane’s,( 6) article writing, (7) speaking engagements, (8) guest blogging, (9) networking, (10) reaching out to people one-on-one.

What is the biggest risk that you have taken in your business? Has it paid off? My biggest risk was joining a high-end Mastermind Group in January 2011. I am totally confident that it was the right choice for me, even though I haven’t yet seen a 100% return on my investment.

What risk do you need to take now? Arranging more speaking engagements, attending more networking events, and trusting that the time spent on these activities will pay off.

What media opportunities have you had? I’ve been interviewed by radio show hosts several times, but I’d mostly like to direct people to my website www.WomenFindPurpose.com, where two years’ worth of weekly Heart & Soul interviews are archived.

What one woman epitomizes (for you) a model of Christian entrepreneurial leadership? Why? I don’t have any one woman in mind. I admire several, including those whom I met at the NACWE Inspired Women Event in Dallas.

What 3 tips would you share with a friend setting out on her own entrepreneurial adventure? (1) Be clear on your calling. Whom are you called to serve? What problem are you meant to solve? What’s the advantage of your solution? (2) Overcome your fears and limiting beliefs. Your ego can sabotage the desires of your heart and soul. (3) Get and keep your finances in order.

What resources and books would you recommend—the ones which have best helped you? Courage & Calling by Gordon Smith; The Call by Os Guinness; True Purpose by Tim Kelley; events, teleseminars, and books by Brendon Burchard

What do you have coming up? Events? Book Signings? Moving!!!!

Tell us about your family and your support group? My husband is Dave, and our children are daughters Becca, Jana, and Brett; stepdaughters Katherine, Amanda, and Elizabeth; and stepson Benjamin. All are absolutely amazing.

Who were/are your mentors? Tim Kelley, Susan Whitcomb, Chris McCluskey, Brian Stark, Paige Stapleton, Brendon Burchard.

What else would you like to share with us? “Faith and purpose constitute the motive power of life. There is nothing that a strong faith and an unflinching purpose may not accomplish. By the daily exercise of silent faith, the thought-forces are gathered together, and by the daily strengthening of silent purpose, those forces are directed toward the object of accomplishment.” ~James Allen (Poverty to Power)

Jory H. Fisher, JD, ACC, of www.WomenFindPurpose.com is host of the popular internet radio show Heart & Soul for Women of Faith. She specializes in helping Christian women entrepreneurs integrate calling, confidence, and clarity into their business so they serve the people they’re meant to serve, make the difference they’re meant to make, and glorify God through success. She has served as Executive Director of a Youth For Christ ministry in Reston, VA and of the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Lynchburg, VA; as a founding faculty member and associate dean of Liberty University School of Law; and as an attorney for over 15 years specializing in family, juvenile, and criminal law. Jory holds professional certifications from the International Coach Federation, the Institute for Life Coach Training, the Career Coach Academy, the Christian Coaches Network, and the True Purpose™ Institute, and she serves as a faculty member of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute.