Latest / Cultivator Podcast / Episode 8 - Cultivator Interview - Kinsey Tolley of Clothed in Grace

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Episode 8 - Cultivator Interview - Kinsey Tolley of Clothed in Grace · Cultivator Podcast

• Justin Stice: Yeah. Hey, welcome to this Cultivator Podcast, man. I'm so excited you guys are tuned in. I I'm excited to introduce to you ⁓ Kinzie Toly. and she's excited just to have kind of conversation about some really cool stuff that that God's been up to in her life. ⁓ but before we get into that, Kinzie, I just want to hear your story. Kind of like all about you, ⁓ who you are, your family, all the things, and then we'll dive into more. I was born and raised in Lubbock. I have been here my whole life, and I graduated for from Coronado in 07 and ⁓ I went to tech and I got my degree in fashion design. And so I met my husband at tech whenever I was 18. We actually grew up down the street from each other. That's awesome. And met on a blind date at tech. So ⁓ we had been together for 18 years since we were 18 and 19. And ⁓ so after I graduated From tech, I started a children's clothing line and I had that for a couple of years. I did all of it myself, did the patterns, the sourcing. I sewed everything. I did everything. I went to Austin Fashion Week with that. And then ⁓ after a while, I changed gears and I started designing something completely different. And it was right after we got married. And ⁓ I told my husband, I was like, I went to design a line and mass produce it and sell it across the United States and Canada. We have been married for like three months. Okay. And he was like, okay, let's do it. That's awesome. Let's do it. And so I mean, I don't think I've ever had an idea in which my husband has ever faltered in his faith in me for it. So that's amazing. He supports me in every idea I've had. And I'm so grateful. But ⁓ I did that for a few years and went to market. It I sourced all the fabric. I found the manufacturers and then I did the marketing and I did all the lookbooks and everything. So I did it was 12 hour days all day, every day of just me. Dang. And I loved every moment of it. Yeah. And then whenever I had my son, ⁓ I realized that I would not be able to devote that kind of time to it anymore. Yeah. And so I started working at my sister's dance studio and her office. And it was just the most beautiful balance of work and getting to be a mom. So I did her graphic design for and all of her office work for 10 years. Okay. And in May of what was that? 2024. I was asked, Tech asked me to come back and be one of the to do critiques for the fashion show for their seniors before they graduate. Yeah. And it reminded me of how much I loved the fashion world and how much I wanted to get back into it. And ⁓ so I told my sister that May I broke her heart a little bit. Yeah. And I told her that I was gonna look for a job in the fashion world. Okay. And ⁓ so I did and I applied for remote jobs. And the whole time that I was applying for jobs, I was also, I was changing my relationship with God. Well, he was changing our relationship in the meantime. And you know, now I look back and know why. And ⁓ he deepened it on another level. And so the whole time I was applying for jobs, I was praying That I would have a Christian-based job in the fashion world. Cause the fashion world and the Christian world are two very, very different places. And the fashion world is usually there's not a lot of Christian things about it for the most part. So I was very specific in my prayer. And it was nine months of praying and being patient. being really, really, really impatient. Yeah. ⁓ waiting on jobs. And ⁓ you know, I in the midst of all of that, ⁓ I I was on a walk and I was getting really impatient. And I was doubting myself. I was not doubting him, but I was doubting if I was on the right track. Did I hear you right? Am I supposed to be doing this? And ⁓ I was on a walk and I asked him You know, if and I don't know what made me think of it, but I said, if this is your will for me, put a butterfly in my path. Yeah. And I walked about two steps and a white butterfly flew right in front of me. And so then that became my pattern of whenever I would doubt myself, I would pray for butterflies and and it showed up in the most random ways. It was not always like there was one night that I was On a walk and I was praying for butterflies again. Yeah. And it didn't go in front of me. Yeah. So then I was like, maybe, maybe this isn't it. Yeah. And I got home and my husband and I watched our show and I was laying in bed and I got an on Instagram and I pulled up a video and it it was not an account that I follow. Yeah. Something very, very random. And it was a video of hundreds to thousands of butterflies. And the caption of it, like on the video, was like, this is for a mom who needs to know she just needs to keep going. ⁓ my goodness. So I was like, Okay. All right. And then the next time, and these were like months apart. I didn't pray for it every day. Yeah. Cause I wanted it to be. special and even after I prayed I would kind of forget about it and I wouldn't look for it. Yeah. And ⁓ my daughter one night we had gotten Chick-fil-A and we usually don't open Chick-fil-A's toys because they're not the the most fun. Yeah. If we're being honest. Chick-fil-A toys are kind of lame. They they really are. They really are. They they're not ones that my kids are super excited about. So one night she was like, did it come with a toy? And I was like Yeah, I think it came with a book and she was like, What book is it? And I opened the package and I took the book out. And it was a little girl with her arms up and there were butterflies all above her. And I had prayed for butterflies that day. And it was just about I think it was supposed to be a mother writing to her child. Yeah. Every page could have been applied to me from him. Like I read through that. I teared up. I still have that book because I was like, okay. You know, I mean, there were just so many, so many instances. Yeah. ⁓ where every time I would pray, because I'm I'm not a patient person at all, I have a lot of issues with patience and control. Yeah, me too. Yes. And and ⁓ you know, it was a nine month process from the time I told my sister that I was going to leave my job to him. placing stylish on my heart. And, you know, I told her the whole time, like, I'm gonna work for you until we either find somebody else or until, you know, I get a job. Yeah. And through a wonderful circumstance of random friends at coffee, I ended up talking to a woman that I did not know, that I had just met that day. And she asked me what I did. And I told her my situation, she was like, My daughter in law's been looking for a job at a dance studio. She grew up in a dance studio. She's done office work. She's done all of this. And she's been really, really wanting that kind of job. Yeah. And so I met with her and talked to her. My sister met with her, hired her pretty much on the spot. Yeah. And ⁓ within a couple days, God gave me the idea for my business. So the bit what was the business? So my business is stylish. Okay. And I want to back up a little bit. Yes. I want to because there's this theme of fashion running through here. When did you kind of fall in love or when did fashion become kind of a passion in clothing for you? Honestly, always like even in junior high and high school. Were you like the best dressed? I, you know, I I think that I was up there. I was somebody even in high school, like it was like around the times that. Like the oversized shirts and Nike shorts were like still they were like coming out, like being a thing. Yeah. And for me Adam Sandler vibe. It it really was. It really was. And I was still very much putting together outfits and getting ready. Like my best friend from second grade, who, you know, yeah, we've been friends forever. I was talking to her one day and she was like, Your business and like everything is just so perfect because it's who you've always been. Yeah. And that's the thing. I mean, I can't remember a time that I didn't love fashion. Like my sixth grade banquet dress. Yeah. The teachers were like, Where'd you get that dress? 'Cause it was so cute. That's amazing. I can still picture it. That's amazing. And that's the thing is that truly like, you know, even in college, like yeah, I got into I was in a sorority and I got into the t shirt and Nike short space. Yeah. But I still always got up and got ready and did my hair and makeup and all of that. And You know, I what's funny is that I was always very, very academically minded growing up. I was not my family is a very, very creative family. Like my dad invents industrial laundry equipment. ⁓ my mom is her degree's in advertising, but she's just she's I say that she was Pinterest before Pinterest was invented. Yeah. You know, I mean she like art. parties growing up. Like she's just so creative. Yes. ⁓ my brother is an amazing artist, a musician, and he he started the pie bar in Levee. Okay. So he had that for years. And then my sister owns a dance studio. Yeah. So we just like the creativity and arts and all those things are all around there. Yes. And then I was the black sheep and I was like not creative. But you were so like for me, I love this because for me, fashion is an outlet of creativity. Yes. That is very, very true. It it's A lot of people don't see it that way. Yes. But I'll be on like and people think I'm weird, like sometimes with the way I dress or whatever else. But like there's a sense I get to express a little bit of my creativity. One hundred percent. In fashion. And it's not trying to be it's just I I kinda dig it. I like it. I like having a cool looking outfit. ⁓ for me specifically, I like not looking like everybody else sometimes and just having a little bit of uniqueness style to it. And that's the way to express yourself. Yeah. It's it's You know, it's almost like the introduction before anybody meets you. They kind of know exactly who you are before you ever talk. And that's my favorite part about it. Yeah. And that was the thing. I just I never did art stuff because my siblings, I was the youngest and they were so, so immensely talented that I was kind of like, I don't want to be the youngest sibling with like these expectations. And then I and then my senior year of high school, I've had to do art. 'Cause I had to have a fine arts credit. And I ended up Loving it. Okay. And doing well. So before I was fashion design, I was actually pre-dental. Okay. Which is that's the most wild. Yeah. Yeah. The most wild jump. And what's funny, I tell people all the time, I think that my parents are the only parents in the world that are like, sure, yeah. Yeah, go for it. Yeah. Do do a very, very established career and change that to the most Bickle career that you could possibly pick. But they're creative people. My dad was an entrepreneur. Like they just got it. Yeah. And ⁓ so my minor ended up being art. Okay. And so this all is kind of building up to this place where nine months you kind of step down from working at the dance studio. Yes. And there's this nine months like, all right, God, what am I doing? What's here? Yes. And then conversation, find somebody to take Position at the dance studio. And then you start this business called stylish. Yes. So it was something that I there was a girl on a women's Facebook page that was like, Does anybody like, is there anybody in Lubbock that knows how to put outfits together or does shopping? And I don't know what to do and how to do it. And I kind of read that and didn't think a lot of it. And then it was almost like, I kept going back to it and I kept thinking about it. And so I was kind of like, Am I supposed to be doing this? And ⁓ it was two weeks of me praying about it and kind of fighting about it in my mind because I wanted to do something that meant something. Yeah. And in my mind at that time, I was like, What's more superficial than this? Like it's just close. Yeah. Who cares? Like it's not that big of a deal. It's not that big of a thing. I want to do something that matters. And the other part of it too, whenever I would pray about it, I would get all of these ideas. Yeah. I would start thinking, ⁓ my gosh, I could do this. And over time I could develop this because I'm not like a like small thinker. I mean you're like a big dreamer, big yeah. Absolutely. So even before I started it, I'm like, what can I do with this? Yeah. And whenever I would pray, I would have all the ideas in the world. Whenever I would stop and I would start to think about what people would think of it about me. Yeah. Or judgments that I would have. I, you know, because I would be like, ⁓ you know, so and so would talk about me. They would probably make fun of me. Do I actually I love clothes, but do I know enough about them to tell other people other people and to teach them? Like, this isn't really what I know. This isn't really what I went to school for. I could design stuff. All day long, but dressing people, I don't know. Yeah. I don't know. And so I went back and forth for a couple of weeks. And then I just felt like maybe this is it. And so I texted, I texted my husband because I was like the whole time I was like, I don't want to start a business. Yeah. I don't want to start a business. Yeah. I just want a normal paycheck. Yep. I want a normal job. Because if you have started a business, you know that it's it's a lot. It is. It's yeah. It is. And it's a lot of work and not very much money. Nope. And so I texted my husband. I was like, Hey, I think I know what I'm gonna do. He was like, Really? At starting a business, but there's no overhead. There you go. Yeah. See, there you go. Like, we're not investing in manufacturing and fabric and sourcing and all of that. And I prayed that whole day. I kind of I typed out a little business plan and the name stylish. I mean, God gave me that's immediately. Thank you. Well, and it's like stylish. Yeah. Like it's it's kind of. I say that the ish kind of takes the pressure off. ⁓ Yeah. Because whenever somebody says, ⁓ you're so stylish, like that puts pressure on other people that they think that they need to like live up to a certain level. Yeah. So I put emphasis if you see my logo, the ish is on there. so anyway, I was typing out the business plan and I was praying and I just said, God, whatever Travis's thoughts are. Let that be your answer. If this is what you want me to do, I want for that to come through in Travis. So he got home and I was like weirdly nervous. Like and ⁓ I told him, you know, everything that I wanted to do and how to do it. And he goes, perfect. I love it. I love everything about it. I think this is what you are meant for. I think that this will bless you and fulfill you. And this is what you're made to do. That's amazing. Like I said, he has supported every crazy idea ⁓ that I've had. And just so wholeheartedly. And you know, I think the fact that there was no overhead was also helpful. That's huge. Well, so still for my so for my wife, man, she has every crazy idea if it's being, ⁓ hey, we're gonna re we're gonna open sugar browns back up. Okay, cool. And I mean, we had no idea what we're getting to at the moment, or hey, we're gonna plant a new ministry, or hey. Over and over again, my wife was like, Yeah, okay. Yeah. And then it came to the place where now she started her own clinic and I got to be on the other side of being like, Yeah, dude, let's do it. It is. It's so it's so important. It's so important to have like your spouse that's you know is for you. Absolutely. And with you in whatever it is that you feel like God's doing. And I love that you're like, Hey, you know what? This is kind of this, but I'm gonna trust that you ha what you have to say and speak into this. Yes. ⁓ because I feel like if it's something, man, that you're That God's called you to, there's gonna be in you and your spouse are called to be one. There's gonna be a oneness in those things that God calls us to. Yes. And so I love that there was that oneness in your husband's like, yeah, dude. Yep. And and there was no And not having no overhead is is a huge help. Yes. Yes. But you know, my husband is he is a very methodical type A, like, you know, we're we're very, very similar in so many ways. Like I'm very type A. He makes me look like I don't care about anything. Like he's next level and like he's an attorney. So everything, you know, has to be very thought out. And there were no questions. And I think it was like the first time. He was like, ⁓ I it was very much like do it. That's all. Absolutely. And so, you know, even whenever I had my clothing lines, like he he went to market with me. He, you know, learned what Each fabric is and all of that. And I mean, his his degrees are political science and English. Yeah. And so, you know, he always told me through college, he was like, You could take my classes. I could never do what you do. And but he's learned. That's all. And he was like, do it. So, you know, and do you know what? That day, the day that I decided, the day that I started to tell people, I not even on purpose. I put on a sweatshirt, the brand new sweatshirt that I had just bought. And I didn't even realize it because it had like cute things all over it. And it had a big butterfly on it. And I had never worn it before. And it was, you know, I have a picture of that sweatshirt on that day because it was very much got being like, yep, here we go. That's awesome. And ⁓ that's why I mean my logos have butterflies and I have tattoos, they're everywhere all the time because it just is a big representation of my relationship with God. And I mean, he took those nine months and you know just changed everything in me because nobody believes me whenever I tell them at this point in life. I am very, very shy. I'm very, very introverted. Yeah. ⁓ like going and having coffee with somebody that I don't know is like my that was like my nightmare. Yeah. And ⁓ and we asked you to be on a podcast. Yes. And you know, it's funny because it's even like I took speech online in college. Because you didn't want because public speaking was my nightmare. And and like this past February, I was the NC and speaker for Ida Mu Idoloo Meals on Wheels. ⁓ they had a high heels and hot meals. fundraiser and I've just learned to say yes. And I just pray the whole time I'm on my way that God speaks through me and all of that. So anyway, I decided to start stylish. So my services that I provide are personal styling and personal shopping and closet clean out and organization and lookbooks. And whenever I first started, I did consignment for people. Yeah. And they could just bring me their clothes that they already had, or through closet clean outs, I would consign what they had. And ⁓ you know, over time, I I will tell you I it was like a necessary part of my business, but it was also the part of my business that I had like a major disdain for because it also was not utilizing. My gifts. Yeah. ⁓ it was taking pictures and posting stuff. And it was just and it was taking up a lot of my time. Yeah. And it was taking away from everything else that I wanted to be doing. Yeah. And ⁓ so over time though, when I would sort through all of these clothes, I had in my office is actually at my sister's dance studio. Okay. And so she has a sixteen thousand square foot building. And so whenever I told her, she was like, you know, whatever you do, you always have an office here. Yeah. So I have a whole hallway of rooms. So whenever I'd sort through the clothes, I would just sort through like what was worth time to consign and then what was just yeah. Yeah. Just what wasn't worth it. And so ⁓ I ended up having like a pile of just clothes in this room that like My OCD type A, like I I just couldn't look at it whenever I go into my office because it stressed me out. And I hired a woman to come help me with consignment. And I also had a college girl helping me ⁓ because it was just so overwhelming and I had so much. But then I also had clients and everything else that I was doing. And ⁓ this woman bagged up all those clothes for me. And she was like, Do you just want me to take them to Goodwill or whatever. And I was sure, that I don't need them. Yeah. And she had put them in her car that Sunday, this was last November. Okay. So I started stylish in March of last year. Okay. March of 2025. And so this was November. We went to so we had been going to Aldersgate for six, seven months at that point. And Ryan was doing a sermon on girl math. Which dude my wife loves girl math. Yes, exactly. I mean I my ears perk because I I live by girl. Yeah. Even with my clients, cost per cost per wear is like the most important thing because I tell them all the time, like, and you have investment pieces, all of that. You gotta get the cost per wear. So I use girl math all the time. Yeah. And in my business and You know, my husband will tell you it's one of my favorite things. ⁓ it's yes. And so he was just talking about though that God uses girl math in the sense that like we don't know what that end result's gonna be. But whenever God tells us to do something, he's gonna be the one to use girl math and somehow make it work. Make it work. And so he's giving this sermon, he used the words. Like God is stirring something in your heart. If he's stirring something in your heart, and he used the word stirring multiple times, talking about like he's stirring something in your heart, he's gonna use girl math. You may not know how he's going to do this, yeah, but he's gonna do it. And you don't need to know like all the the big the whole plan, all the things, yeah. Like you just need to know what you're supposed to do right now. Yeah. In the midst of that sermon. God very much gave me a vision of that pile of clothes. Okay. And told me, like that still small voice said, women need these clothes. That's amazing. And I kept like, I was still listening to the sermon. And then it was like I was trying to also figure out what all of that was. And you know, later that night. I got on Chat GPT, you know, as everybody does. yeah. Yes. And I was just like, I feel like I'm supposed to be starting some sort of program with the extra clothes that I have for women who need them. Yeah. And I don't know what it is. Yeah. I don't know what the logistics are. Chat GPT, and I have a screenshot of it. Says, it sounds like God is stirring something in your heart. And then I told my husband that. He was like, Do it. Yeah. Do it. And ⁓ so I had no idea what I was doing, but I emailed Ryan the next day, who I had never met at that point. Yeah. I was new at his church, but and like I said, shy introverted. Yeah. Don't want to go to coffee with anybody who now has a business in which I go up to people's front doors to complete strangers to go into their closet to the most vulnerable part of their home and make them feel comfortable. Yeah. And you know, that's my that was my biggest part of this is that I just I think people just feel so judged for clothes. And I wanted I've always wanted everybody to know this is a God centered business. And there is absolutely no judgment from me for anything. And so because clothes Clothes are just a touchy thing. Yeah, they are. So anyway, I I write Ryan an email. I'm like, hey, I'm supposed to email you. I feel like I'm supposed to be doing this. I texted the girl who had backed up all the clothes and put them in her car, and I was like, Hey, have you dropped those off anywhere yet? She was like, No, I still have them. I was like, bring ⁓ back. That's awesome. I'm supposed to have ⁓ And so I finally met with Ryan in December. And I sat down on my way there, because I pray out loud in my car going to every client appointment. Yeah. And ⁓ so even on my way to meet with Ryan, I was sitting there laughing because I was like, what am I doing? I have no clue what any of this means. I have no clue what I'm about to tell him. Yeah. I have some stuff typed up that I don't even know what this is supposed to be. Yeah. But God does. Girl math. Yeah. He knew. And I was just being obedient and taking the first step. Yeah. Without knowing what else was coming. And ⁓ I met with Ryan and you know, he very easily could have been like, Man, that sounds great. Good luck. Yeah. But he wasn't at all. No, not at all. He sat there and he was like, you know, I was at a church the other day. And I was looking at a large space that they had. And it was a church that at the time they were thinking about partnering with. And he goes, There was a massive space. And I was like, this would be great for clothes. And he goes, but I was like, where would I get them? Yeah. He goes, and now you're here. And so for a long time, it was a period of like me and Ryan knew that clothed and grace, like we like I had the name clothed and grace. Yeah. In the exact same way as I had the name stylish. And ⁓ and we knew that it was coming, but it was like eight, nine months again. Again, of just of waiting. Yeah. Of me praying for patience. ⁓ but you know, this I knew it was in his timing. Everything is. Yeah. But I just I was like, there's a reason for all of this. It's and two, I knew that he had every single person already lined up that he wanted me to help with clothed and grace. So it took the pressure off of me of trying to rush it. Yeah. Cause I, of course, through that time I was like, you know, maybe I have enough space where my office is. Maybe I could do that. No, no. I just I needed to be patient. I pray for patience because. I also love to control everything. Yeah. And those two things I'm I'm not patient because I want control. Control. Yeah. And still pray for both of those things every day. Yeah. And ⁓ so in the midst of all of that, whenever I started to clean out people's closets from that point, I would give them the option, do I have this? organization that I'm starting, you know, I want to clothe women who have been through some sort of hardship, whether it's domestic violence, trafficking, widows, homelessness, incarceration, whatever it was. Yeah. I just knew that these clothes because people that have been through some sort of hardship are the ones that need to start over. Yeah. And need a clean slate and that confidence. Yes. To start over. And ⁓ I knew that these people too, if they receive any sort of clothes, they're just kind of the not the best. Yeah. You know, they're exactly and and I know that they're so grateful for any of it. But if you're starting a new life and a new job and a new career and trying all of these things, clothes do play a really big part in that. They do. So Whenever I would clean out people's closets, I would give them the option. And some people were like, take all of it. Yeah. Take all of it for that. Some people were like, ⁓ try to consign it first and then what's left. You can you can do that. And ⁓ so that's what I did. And I ended up accumulating more clothes. Like, I mean, I would tell people I'm drowning in clothes, which is my dream. Yeah. Also. For a very O C D type A person, clothes being everywhere is is also a lot. Yep. And so over time, over this summer, so Ryan was still in contact with me the whole time. Like, I'm looking for a space, we're working on it, I promise, like we're gonna get this. Yeah. And the whole time I'm like, hey, his timing, not mine. As much as I want to control it, it's not mine to control. And ⁓ But I did pray to have a space with hanging space. Like that is something that I knew that I needed was a place to hang all of this. I wanted it to all be out. I wanted it to be a shopping experience for these women. Yeah. And on top of that, I wanted to provide a space where they could come get their hair and makeup done and do headshots. And since then, I've also found women that can help with interviews and resumes and Really help these people start over. That's incredible. And so, you know, this summer Ryan texts me, Hey, I got a space. Can we go look at it tomorrow? I'm like, I'm so ready. I'm drowning in clothes. Yes. And in around that time, the consignment part of my business, it was getting to be even more overwhelming than it was initially. And I just felt like I was spinning my wheels. I was having to pay people essentially the profit that I was making of my percentage of selling stuff. I was essentially just paying people. People to yeah. And then I very much felt that still small voice again of like, just stop consigning. Yeah. Just say, Hey, I don't consign. Yep. And so I texted all my clients and I was like, Hey, I'm not doing this anymore. And if you want to come. Pick up all the clothes you can, or you can donate them to women indeed. Yeah. So of course, everybody's like, please donate them. Yeah. And so then it got to the point where I had so many amazing clothes. Like that pile of clothes that I had at the beginning that I had last November, I'm sure I donated. Because even though those were the clothes that were like the catalyst to this. There they're still not good enough. Yeah. Because at the point that I got to this summer, everything that I I had so I'm talking about thousands of items. ⁓ I had a woman I clean out her closet for three days. ⁓ my goodness. And it was most of it's brand new. Yeah, I just she she would walk into her closet and get so overwhelmed by how many clothes she would have, she would just go buy more. Mm-hmm. So it was a vicious cycle. And ⁓ I just ended up with all of these clothes to where I could really, really, really pare it down to where everything that I got to keep for clothed and grease is cute, trendy, but not only that, it's either brand new or looks brand new. There's no holes, there's no peeling, there's no stains. Like that's amazing. It's, you know, boutique type quality. And the other amazing part of it is that. through all of it, through clients, and these are just clients that gave me clothes. I have sizes extra small through three to four XL. That's amazing. So you have all the sizes, all the every size. And ⁓ you know, so Ryan texted me in the summer. He was like, I have a space. I came to the co op and the whole time I was just praying like, I need something. To hang all of this on. And I walked into the space, and there were just two long bars of, you know, old shirts that were hanging on it. And I knew that it was the perfect spot. And ⁓ just Aldersgate has graciously paid my rent for my space at the co op. Yeah. And it's just been like The biggest blessing of my life. That's a lot. Well, I love I remember when Ryan texted me. I think he emailed me, then he texts me and he's like, Hey, I this I have this woman that has like this this thing that she wants to start, this ministry, and she and he sent me kind of over the thing. I was This is incredible. This is so so cool. And so I love how God is throughout your life taken this this passion that you have. It's usually where God works with us is a is a passion. When I say passion, it's something that excites us that we're doing or it could be something that breaks our heart. So those are kind of the ideas of passion. But he's taken this passion of yours that's been there ⁓ a lot of your life. Mm-hmm. You have a stinking degree in it, right? Your experience. And then all of a sudden God's like, here you go. We're gonna have business. Because sometimes we try to move out ⁓ the kingdom from even businesses. So I think it's I I think having a business that's very much kingdom based as well. And then even out of that, like, ⁓ you know what? There's a can be a there's another specific ministry that can be given to women ⁓ that are coming out of a place of Like you said, domestic violence, ⁓ incarceration of just a hard spot. That they can come and get these clothes that they wouldn't normally be able to get probably. Well, and they also it's like it's not even just the clothes. Like I I get to put outfits together for them. So they get to have So you're like giving full affils to them. Yes. So they're not yeah, that's incredible. Like they I like I had a woman in the other day and she's just looking through. I'm like, you feel free to look through, but Even in what she picked, I would be like, let's put this together. These are different ways to wear it. So it's not even just clothes. It's not just a bag. It's a whole shopping experience with a personal stylist. Yeah. To where like they leave and it's like, I know I look good. And I know that these clothes fit me. And not only do they fit them, they fit their body type, they fit their lifestyle, their new career. ⁓ So you just recently had somebody come in, right? Yes. Can you tell me about that? Absolutely. So I have partnered with One Voice. Yep. And this past Monday, ⁓ they had this incredible light of a person come in. And she was getting ready for she had an interview on Monday and another one on Tuesday. And she just needed some clothes for the interview, but then You know, she was like, she might want some just other everyday cute casual clothes. And she came in wearing something that I don't think that she loved. Yeah. ⁓ but she was already dressed and ready for her interview. But I could tell it just it just wasn't it. Yeah. It just wasn't what she loved. And so she looked through and she just got to shop and try on whatever she wanted. And I would make suggestions and I told her like, let's pull a blazer, let's, you know, add some color. You know, if you get these pants, you could wear it with these tops, you know, and just how to change it up in different ways. And so the clothing that she got was all interchangeable. So, you know, she got probably twenty, twenty-five items at least. And but at the same time, she can wear them all differently and And the woman that was there helping told me she was like, just let me know our limit. I'm like, there's no limit. Yeah. Just like I I have twelve hundred items plus up there. I'm like, this ain't even gonna make a dent. And ⁓ you know, the person that arrived and then the person that left were just two completely different people. And you know, for me To be able to witness that transformation. Yeah. Just with clothes. Yeah. Just in that short. I mean, she was here for an hour, a little bit over, but you know, the joy and fulfillment and just gratitude that I had that I got to be a small part and helping that. You know, what I mean, it I know she was. So, so unbelievably grateful. But I think that I was even more so just I I tell people all the time, nobody's lived a more privileged life, a better life than me. I got to meet my soulmate whenever I was 18. Yeah. And he's done nothing but give me everything and support me in everything to where this is what I get to do. Yeah. And ⁓ you know, but what would any of that mean if ⁓ I didn't go, you know, spread the gospel and minister to people. And the fact that God is using clothes to do that is I'll never get over it. Yeah. It, you know, makes me tear up and cry every time because I tell people, I'm like, if I get to use clothes, he will take your gifts to further his kingdom. And, you know, I I even had ⁓ a woman I also work with. Redemption way. And they helped ⁓ victims of domestic violence. And she was incredible. And she's, you know, has her master's degree. And she has a wonderful job. And she has a support system here. And she looked at me and she goes, I just I feel like there are other people who need this more. Like I'm so, so blessed in all that I have. I don't want to take this from somebody else. I go, listen. God, while he was working on patience and control in me, I prayed every single day that he would put the people in front of me that he wants to be in front of me. And you're in front of me. That's amazing. And you know, I have enough stuff and I will continue to always have more. Yeah. And I know he will always provide. And I told her, I was like, you're not taking anything from anybody else. Yeah. Like you have been through a lot. look at this as God's reward, you know, yeah to you like and and too, she had just started a new job. She had had been wearing scrubs before. She needed office clothes. And I was like, here you go. Yeah. So it is. It's just the biggest blessing. I I love that how God can use clothes to cultivate the kingdom. Absolutely. Like people are experiencing, I believe, the kingdom of God through clothes. I mean and for some people that's like, what? I don't get it. But like I I've seen it in in ways where people if you if they if there's a sense of I don't know if it's dignity, it's something that whenever they feel good about what they're wearing changes everything. It changes everything. It changed and I tell people that all the time. My regular clients, my clothed and grace women that I've, you know, had the opportunity to meet, I'm like, even like I love clothes. I still put together outfits that I don't love by the end of the day. And it changes clothes change how you show up. It they change how you show up and feel about yourself and relationships at work, anywhere. Yeah. And whenever you feel great in what you have on, everything around you is different and your attitude, you could be having the worst day, but if you look really cute, it's it's it it makes your bad day a little bit better. And you know, that's what I that's what I've gotten to witness firsthand with my clients. But even to a different level with the girl on Monday, it was just like I knew she was going to walk into her interviews. excited and happy and just feeling good. Yeah. Whereas like if she would have gone into that interview before, you know, I don't I don't know if it would have been the same level of just confidence and joy and everything else. And you know, I that's the thing is that I think about all the time that I I prayed to have a Christian based job in the fashion world. And instead of him giving me one, he helped me create one. That's amazing. And, you know, I I my son is nine and my daughter's five. And ⁓ you know, they they will also have the most incredible life with two parents who love them and a good, stable, beautiful home. But, you know, for them to be able to Just have a glimpse and see and know what other people might go through and what's out there. And what I my son asks me all the time, my son is absolutely brilliant. And he'll be like, What what do you think I should be whenever I grow up? What do you think it should be? I go, God will reveal your gifts. Yeah. And I mean, he already has a great amount, but I tell him all the time, he'll reveal your gifts to you. And As you get older, you will know what those gifts are and how you can further his kingdom through your work. Yeah. And that's the most important thing. That's exactly right. I think it's huge. I think it's huge that we can begin to look at. And I learned this from the guys at Kansas City undergrad. There's a cool ministry in Kansas City. And they talk about your gifts, your passion, and your story. And so usually where these three collide, your gifts, your passion, your story, is where Jesus is calling you. Mm-hmm. ⁓ where he's sending you. And so I think If people so I'm just gonna say this, man, if there's something stirring in you, yes, ⁓ I would I would take that and say, Yes, God show me, but then there's this idea of patience. Sometimes we try to force it, make it happen. Yes. And God, it if it's this is something the Lord's stirring in you, he's gonna make it happen. Yeah. If you're op if you are willing, right? If there's like a yes, and even it could almost a reluctant yes, I've seen where God's like, I'll take that reluctant yes, and he's gonna continue to give confirmation over confirmation, butterflies, whatever it is. And then but I've I've love it whenever people begin to see their gifts, their passion, and their story collide into what God's doing that. And it may be something outside of what you get your paycheck from. Yes, absolutely. But also for a lot of people, it can be that because I believe there's no in this, I'm gonna get in a little church world, like I think a lot of times we've separated out ministry and like here's ministry and here's my regular job. I really feel like there's not supposed to be this line of these two things. Because a lot of times if you're a lawyer, if you're a nurse pract and have your like those are your like you're living into your giftings, all those things, and these can be your ministry. Yeah. But for some people it may not, but there might be this thing over here that God's stirring in you. Absolutely. And so I would say, man, if if whatever that is, just kind of ask God to continue to reveal it. ⁓ have a willingness to say yes. Mm-hmm. And and so it's really cool. R Kenzie, it's really cool to s see that story play out in your life. You know, it it's funny because I've gone through periods of like imposter syndrome to where I'm like, because there's still days and times, even though fashion has been part of my love my entire life, yeah, there's still days and times where I don't feel adequate. But then the more that I got into scripture and reading stuff and everything else, it's very much like God gives you everything that is above your level so that you are dependent on him to get that done. Yeah. And that's the thing is that, you know, saying yes to podcasts and speaking in public. And this past weekend I did a class for a girls, a teenage girls conference. But all of that and even going to people's houses, and I still have that hesitation of like, do I know enough? To help people? Do I know enough? And then I get there and I realize, you know, like I said, I pray the whole way there that he will be with me and speak through me. Yeah. ⁓ and help me. And so I've learned and I've seen what it's like whenever I try to do everything myself. Yep. And you know, the past year and a half of really letting go of control as much as I can and really. letting him work through me instead of me doing it myself has been more fulfilling than anything I could have done on my own. And I'm forever grateful. That's amazing. Yeah. So I love this and I love your story. Thank you for coming and hanging out and talking to me. Absolutely. Is there ways? I don't know if y'all have like you have social media stuff, if you have anything else, like is there ways people can connect with stylish and clothed in grace? Yes, absolutely. So My website for stylish for all of my services is let's get stylish.com. And then ⁓ for social media on Instagram, it's just stylish LBK. Okay. And then my Facebook page is let's get stylish. And then ⁓ right now I'm so fortunate that I don't need any more. Donations. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ I but I always, you know, I will let people know through social media whenever I open up donations, but also I would love to partner with any churches or programs or anything like that because it is one of those situations that I do need to have like a third party recommendation ⁓ for these women. Yeah. So I have all the paperwork for referrals and everything else. So ⁓ any churches, any organizations, nonprofits, whatever it might be, yeah, ⁓ just contact me and I would love to work with you. Kazi, thank you so much for how you are cultivating the kingdom. ⁓ and how people are experiencing God, through your kindness and you've seen them, but then just in too close. So it's The biggest blessing of my life. So I'm just grateful. Awesome. Thanks. Thank you guys. Thank you.