Author: Rachel Derouen

Hello! My name is Rachel. I am from the friendly and cultural state of Louisiana. I am a Christian blogger, hair enthusiast, social worker, pastor's wife and mama to two boys. I have been on my natural hair journey for 10+ years and I have grown to embrace the beauty within this process. My new found passion is creating content for my blog and business to display my personal brand and express my authentic self.
Discernment/

Protecting Your Vision

Every year I look forward to creating my own vision board and even attending vision board parties if there are any. Those can be so much fun and enlightening to say the least. One year, I attended one of those parties. I was so excited to share with a small group of like-minded women of my short-term/long-term goals and hopes.

When it was my turn to share, you can tell the excitement of how big I smiled. I was so hopeful. You just had to be there.

After sharing with them my vision board, unexpectedly, I got a laugh and a scuff. Two reactions I did not see coming. I was told I was unrealistic, and my focus should be about my husband. Here is my disclaimer before I go any further. I love being married. My goals would include the one I love and those who mean so much to me. My goals also are about how I can obtain the purpose God has given to me. No paper or poster can really say that. Our purpose in life is like an unfolding mystery. God reveals this to us in due time. Relationship with God reveals purpose alone.

Back to my story. Doubt was cast and even the laughter made me feel pretty low. My hopes to become a mom and a social worker, among other aspirations, were somehow unattainable because of their doubt. But here’s what I gained from my experience:

1. Everyone cannot handle the vision God gave you.

2. Everyone is not for you.

3. The vision God gave you is for you, and doesn’t involve the haters, doubters and naysayers.

4. In this situation, it may have been premature to share what I have been praying for in private.

Although I felt the doubt temporarily, I prayed to God and also spoke to my husband about what I saw for my life. I knew my goals were not going to be achieved in a year. I have faith but I am also have wisdom. It came to a point where I had to decide between believing God or believing someone who isn’t omnipotent. To alleviate my fears and worries, I gave it back to Him; the Author and Finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2)

I share my story to say, know the difference between what is true and what is false. What God has showed you is what is true. Protect your vision.

Nehemiah also protected the vision God gave to him as he set off to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He told no one what God placed on his heart to do (Nehemiah 2:12). Sometimes we need to take a page from the prophet’s book and hold on to what God gave us. There is a season for everything and what God has plan to come to pass will happen in due time.

If God has given you a vision for your business, make a plan. Write it out. Pray to God first and then move accordingly.

Rachel

Self-Care/

What Does the Bible Say about Balance? And What Does It Mean for The Virtuous Creative?

Hello Virtuous Creatives! I’m back to share words of wisdom and encouragement as you journey in your business life, home life, and your spiritual life. We often try to compartmentalize them in their place (business, personal and spiritual) and sometimes forget to include God in all those areas. For entrepreneurs, there is often a struggle to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Working all day is somehow rewarded or seen as the goal. But what happens when it affects you physically and even spiritually?

Balance is the recurring theme that we speak on often on social media and in conversation with our girlfriends. Why? Because there is power in having balance. The art of balance ultimately falls on prioritizing and using wisdom. Creating balance in life can be challenging, but it is essential for spiritual growth and our overall well-being. God is concerned with you wholistically, for it says in 3 John 1:2 (ESV), “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. He’s concerned about us. God has already laid out plans for each of us specifically. We must hold fast to that truth.

When I think of the word balance, the pan balance comes to mind. Placing too much on one side can take you off balance, leaving the opposite end depleted. Someone once shared with me that ” Sometimes we think balance is categorizing and breaking things up when sometimes it’s getting rid of things”. There often come moments as an entrepreneur when you need to step back, evaluate the priorities that are pulling you in different directions, and determine if they align with your goals. Balance looks different in every season of our lives. What holds the most weight in terms of our priorities?

One of my favorite scriptures of the bible has to be Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV) I am so encouraged when I remember this scripture in moments of discouragement. It quickens my spirit instantly; As the Word should. It is so easy to apply this particular scripture to our many situations but in context, Paul is not saying that “Rachel can do all the things, she puts her mind to.” 

Empowering but not applicable.

We are not called to do “all the things” my dear sisters. We are called to do the thing He has assigned us to do. We all have a purpose and a calling. The work we do can also divinely intertwine with our calling. I discovered my spiritual gifts often overlap with my work as a social worker and an entrepreneur. There is a necessity to find a balance between the two. I cannot do all the things and expect to be successful. I can feel myself going off balance just thinking about it! We are called to seek His Kingdom first and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33) . For context, read the prior verse. And it says, “for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things”. Seek God’s wisdom first and ask Him to guide you as you prioritize in the season you are in.

Holding tight to that scripture, also consider these tips to create balance in your current season of life.

  • Prioritize your relationship with God: Spend time in prayer and Bible study to nurture your faith and stay connected to God.
  • Take care of your physical health: Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep to ensure your body is healthy and strong.
  • Build your community: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who share your values and beliefs.
  • Manage your time wisely: Set priorities, create schedules, and learn to say no to activities that don’t align with your values and goals.
  • Find joy in hobbies and interests: Pursue activities that bring you joy and help you relax, such as reading, gardening, or playing music.
  • Set boundaries: Create clear boundaries between work and personal time. Establish specific work hours and avoid checking emails or taking work calls outside of those hours.

Rachel 



Branding/

How to Create Content with Confidence

You’ve probably heard the marketing gurus talk on social media about the power of content creation – which is the behind the scenes work every entrepreneur or blogger does to help define who they are to what they do.

It’s all the rage these days, and for a good reason! But let’s be real, it can also feel super overwhelming with all the information out there.

I’m sure you even took a deep breath before clicking on this article. For one, deep down inside you know that you want to muster up the confidence to create compelling content for potential clients or customers.

Afterall, it’s part of the foundation that gives your brand a unique identity and voice. For instance, think about your favorite Instagram pages. What’s your immediate thought? How do the color schemes speak to you? Carousels? Reels? All of these were produced with intention though the creative process of content creation.

Now, although the process of creating is different for all of us, the methods are quite similar. I often think about ways to engage a potential customer/client, but I know that’s not all it is to it when creating content. Creating content with confidence goes beyond the end goal. There are the in between processes you have to take into consideration. I love being intentional about what I produce. Staying true to my faith is important so I’m mindful of trends as well.

And personally, I’m most authentic when I share details in content that’s encouraging or inspiring, entertaining and informational that will benefit one of my customers or followers. As for confidence? Well, my confidence to create content grew over time. Initially, I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. I know in my heart that I wanted to make sure whatever I shared on a social media platform wasn’t stuffy but relatable.

So, as a Virtuous Creative in business, how do you come to the place of creating content with confidence? Well for one, you should always be lead with prayer before action. And by the way, you don’t have to wait as long as I did to create content in your business.

Confidence comes from within. Know that God has equipped you with everything you need to succeed. So, trust in His plan, believe in yourself, and let that your confidence shine through in every piece of content you create.

Start with prayer. Once you take that first step, the Lord will guide you. In addition to prayer, consider the following tips that I’ve learn overtime from my own personal journey:

Know your brand identity – Your brand identity is the visible element of your business. This includes name, logo, colors and design. When you know your identity, the vision for your brand will come quite easy.

Make a plan – Schedule time to brainstorm and jot down ideas. Sometimes we find inspiration from other platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr. Make a plan to create content that will help convey your brand’s voice and vision.

Try it out – Use wisdom when trying out different methods. Every trend is not meant for you. If there is something that you have researched that sparks your interest and aligns with your vision, try it out. We sometimes receive good feedback but do not feel discouraged if you do not receive the outcome you hoped for. Do it scared and do it brave. Don’t be afraid to create your own trend.

Be consistent – Consistency goes hand and hand with making a plan. Scheduling time helps with being consistent also. The goal of consistency will show your community that you are trustworthy and you that you are serious about your brand and business.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take risks, try new things, and push those boundaries. Remember, growth happens when you dare to be bold. You never know what incredible opportunities might come your way!

Content creation is your labor, your work of heart that should not be in vain. Yes, it can feel overwhelming at times, but remember, each step you take is a seed planted in the fertile soil of your brand’s growth. Every piece of content you create is a testament to your journey, your faith, and your brand.

Look, the journey of content creation is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a process of discovery, of finding your voice in this noisy digital world and staying true to your faith. Like the Apostle Paul wrote in Corinthians, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

So, start now. Don’t wait another day to let your voice be heard. Your audience is waiting to connect with your brand’s amazing products or services. And guess what? The world needs the unique light that only you can shine.

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