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The Business of Generosity with Myrna Miott · Christian Business Growth Podcast

• 0:01
  Hello and welcome to Christian Business Growth Podcast.
• 0:10
  I said Minyat, didn't realize that.
• 0:13
  My goodness, I even had it typed up right.
• 0:19
  I have a habit of renaming people, and so I put your first and last name together.
• 0:23
  I did it again.
• 0:26
  Myrna and I have known each other for a while, so this is always fun to catch up with.
• 0:31
  Myrna Miott.
• 0:33
  Miott.
• 0:35
  Let's do it again.
• 0:36
  How are you today?
• 0:37
  I'm good.
• 0:38
  I usually just go by my first name and you are so good.
• 0:41
  Yes.
• 0:43
  Okay, Myrna, how did I get you started in business?
• 0:45
  We'll cut some of that out.
• 0:48
  It's funny, it's hard to remember a time when I wasn't in business in some capacity.
• 0:53
  And it actually started when I was a teacher, feels like a former life.
• 0:59
  I was a teacher in the 90s and the income gap was real.
• 1:04
  So I started building websites.
• 1:06
  And if you could imagine building websites in the 90s, not many people were building websites back then.
• 1:11
  And so I was able to make a little bit of a side income.
• 1:15
  But what I quickly realized was that there were so many incredible kingdom minded people launching businesses, but they had never been taught how to find customers or how to
• 1:28
  easily be found.
• 1:30
  And my thought was if I can help these kingdom businesses step into abundance, that means more of God's work gets funded.
• 1:40
  So even when I eventually went into full-time ministry, I was always coaching people on the side.
• 1:47
  I was always coaching people with their side hustles.
• 1:50
  You know, if you're in ministry life, people have side hustles because we don't get paid that much.
• 1:55
  And then teaching people just growth strategies, business growth strategies.
• 2:00
  And then the real turning point was in 2021.
• 2:04
  I was working as a full-time development officer for a charity and literally living in the world of nonprofit fundraising.
• 2:13
  And during the final days of COVID, they ended up closing a few offices and then they handed me an exit plan.
• 2:21
  And God basically pushed me out of traditional charity world and said, it's time to go fully into the marketplace.
• 2:30
  So I went all in and I started doing uh fractional marketing, uh chief development officer fractional work for different organizations.
• 2:41
  And I wanted to master the revenue engine.
• 2:44
  So, you know, when you go into business for yourself, you can know how to do the thing, but you don't know how to get all of the sales that you need to make up a full time
• 2:53
  income.
• 2:54
  So I realized that and then I started training in direct sales and as a result, I became a fractional sales coach.
• 3:02
  So in the middle of all that, that's kind of around the time when you and I met, when we met at a Christian coaches Academy where we were training in sales.
• 3:12
  looking back, I had to experience.
• 3:15
  the frustration of being a charity fundraiser.
• 3:17
  And I had to learn the advanced sales strategies that you and I study together so that I have the exact skill set needed to step into my role today, which is brand new.
• 3:31
  I'm now a fund manager.
• 3:34
  Mmm.
• 3:35
  That's impressive.
• 3:36
  So that you went from raising money from other people to basically raising money for yourself and doing this.
• 3:41
  So tell us a little bit about the project you're working on because I know it's kind of shifted recently.
• 3:46
  Yeah.
• 3:46
  So I recently stepped into the fund manager role and probably like you could realize that when you think about business, the lifeblood is really the revenue, right?
• 4:02
  And so we have to figure out the ways that we can raise revenue.
• 4:05
  And I start realizing that and in the middle of being a fund manager, being a raising funds for charities, um,
• 4:16
  I realized that I also have this, I guess, uh almost like a gift for marketing.
• 4:22
  I want to call it a gift, but I have developed the skills for marketing.
• 4:26
  And when I got those skills and the sales skills, I'm realizing that I'm using all of them to raise funds for this community that I'm now working in.
• 4:37
  And what we're doing is we're pooling money together.
• 4:41
  and I've called on different investors.
• 4:43
  I've met so many different business owners in my travels and just called on them to say, Hey, what if we were to come into this community, start buying some commercial real estate
• 4:55
  and protect vulnerable communities?
• 4:58
  So somehow this all just started coming together.
• 5:01
  And I think I gave myself the label of fund manager.
• 5:05
  Why not?
• 5:06
  can have any name you want.
• 5:08
  So that's interesting.
• 5:09
  You said you have a gifting of marketing, but you didn't want to call it a gift.
• 5:14
  But if you think about it, marketing is basically teaching someone.
• 5:18
  It's a gift of teaching.
• 5:19
  You're teaching them that next step of whatever it is they need to do or hopefully to help them take those next steps.
• 5:26
  Yeah, I think I was a little shy calling it a gifting.
• 5:29
  Maybe the gift is more, I will call this a gift, connecting with people.
• 5:34
  You know, so I feel like there is a something that God invested in me where I love to connect with people.
• 5:40
  And then the whole teaching thing, you're right.
• 5:43
  So I was teaching school for a little while, elementary school kids.
• 5:47
  And then it kind of segwayed into teaching people marketing skills and how to find their customers.
• 5:54
  Absolutely, and you're helping people, you're connecting people, you're basically serving people if you don't get down to it.
• 6:00
  Everything in business we do is serving someone else.
• 6:03
  Yeah, absolutely.
• 6:06
  So aside from your community development thing, what's God doing in your business right now in your life?
• 6:14
  Well, he's calling me to a different place, to a different place that I have not been before.
• 6:21
  So this whole like, fun manager role, in some ways it can feel familiar because I understand about controlling expenses, raising revenue.
• 6:31
  I understand that part.
• 6:32
  But the part that feels a little bit scary is that I'm doing this, doing something I never did before.
• 6:40
  I never really purchased a big commercial.
• 6:44
  building before, you know, and, but I think God is showing me that when you, can't do these things alone.
• 6:54
  You have to do them with others.
• 6:56
  And I think that he created us to be in community.
• 7:00
  And sometimes when we have like a big vision that he gave us, we can't do it alone.
• 7:07
  And so I'm really being stretched to
• 7:10
  uh talk to people, to be bold and courageous and ask them to come alongside me in this community and do something big for God.
• 7:20
  That's a good way look at it because Moses had the same problem.
• 7:22
  He was trying to do it all himself.
• 7:24
  And God said, hey, you got to other people around you.
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  He reminded him.
• 7:27
  I think, I think when you have a God-sized vision, God includes other people automatically.
• 7:33
  Because that vision becomes that something that just brings people in.
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  It's almost magnetic when you're doing something that God's aligned in.
• 7:40
  Because ultimately that's what we do in business.
• 7:43
  We align ourselves with God so that we can align our business God so we can impact the kingdom of God.
• 7:48
  Amen.
• 7:50
  So as you're going through this process, we talked about business growth.
• 7:53
  That's what this podcast is about.
• 7:54
  What are some business growth tips that somebody is listening, they're like, oh, sounds like she's got all this stuff going on.
• 8:00
  What are some tips you have for someone to help them grow their business?
• 8:06
  like to give a tip.
• 8:07
  It's just coming to me now.
• 8:10
  And that tip is, it's that, okay, I'll start with this.
• 8:16
  So when we start our businesses, right,
• 8:19
  We kind of have this formula where we say, I'm going to make enough money that I can take care of my family and I'm going to make enough money that I can give a certain percentage
• 8:32
  away.
• 8:33
  Right.
• 8:33
  So for many of us, maybe that's 10%.
• 8:35
  Right.
• 8:36
  And we're very much that.
• 8:38
  I don't think I would have to convince anyone that's listening to your podcast that we need to be at the point where we're at least giving our 10%.
• 8:47
  Right.
• 8:48
  But
• 8:50
  The tip that I would give is, wow, what if we could give more?
• 8:56
  What if we could give in a way that we give our 10 %?
• 9:01
  But then what if there's a way that we could give by investing?
• 9:06
  So we invest in these communities into these buildings that are needed to run ministry, to run food pantries, to run community centers.
• 9:17
  And then when we invest in the communities, it's better than a donation because it ends up being a yield.
• 9:26
  for the person that's investing.
• 9:28
  So I would, it's just a tip that started coming to me over these last few weeks while I've been working on this project.
• 9:37
  I was like, this is an elevated way to be generous, right?
• 9:42
  So the regular way to be generous, of course, we're going to give.
• 9:49
  I was gonna say you and I both are in real estate.
• 9:50
  That's something we do on the side as far as investments.
• 9:53
  And people don't realize when you invest in something, if that something loses money, that could be a tax write-off on your side, which would help you on your taxes on the stuff
• 10:01
  that you're making money on as well.
• 10:02
  So it's almost like a double-edged sword in a good way because you can impact someone that's struggling and help them get over that first hump and impact your own bottom dollar
• 10:14
  ultimately.
• 10:16
  And then when they start being successful, you just grow in success with them.
• 10:19
  It's kind of a unique idea.
• 10:20
  I love that idea.
• 10:23
  Yeah, it's like giving, but you, it's not just, it's a win-win.
• 10:29
  And I know that's something that we talk about in the community that we're in together, but creating a win-win.
• 10:35
  mean, when we can do that, I mean, I think that must make God happy, right?
• 10:41
  Because it's, there's a part of us that's sacrificial and generous, yes.
• 10:47
  But what about if we could be sacrificial and generous, and then in our next elevated way of giving,
• 10:52
  now it can become investing because there are stories in the Bible, right, of investing and how do we turn our, maybe if it's $10,000, how do we turn that into double, triple,
• 11:08
  tenfold?
• 11:09
  Is there a way to do that?
• 11:11
  You know, and I can't think of a better vehicle than real estate.
• 11:17
  We've got a couple of missionaries that are really good friends of ours.
• 11:20
  They live on the mission field.
• 11:21
  They're translating the Bible into a language that's never existed before, which is unique.
• 11:25
  And they've actually started a mini fund to fund entrepreneurs in their area for things like getting them some grain or getting them an animal to help produce eggs or goats for
• 11:35
  milk or something like that.
• 11:37
  And you don't realize the kingdom impact of the little actions.
• 11:41
  It may not cost us much on our side.
• 11:44
  Those of us who are in business, we have things going.
• 11:47
  But it can make all the difference to somebody on the other side of that.
• 11:49
  When we see past the numbers and into the person, and you and I talked about that a little bit while ago, investing in money, investing in properties, you gotta look past the
• 11:58
  property and look to the people you're impacting, the community that you're
• 12:02
  Yes, that's what it's all about.
• 12:06
  We did, we did.
• 12:07
  I mean, that's what it's all about.
• 12:08
  Like sometimes you can feel like, I'm going into this building to do some renovations.
• 12:15
  I'm going to add value to this property, right?
• 12:18
  And yes, we are.
• 12:19
  But when we add value to the property, we're not just adding value to a property.
• 12:24
  We are adding.
• 12:26
  value to the community that's affected.
• 12:29
  So for instance, if I'm purchasing in my case, like purchasing a school, if I purchase that school, make renovations to the school, add value to the school, the community is
• 12:41
  going to benefit from all of the renovations and upgrades that we do.
• 12:46
  And the investors that I brought in with me, they benefit too, because more value has been added.
• 12:53
  So I think that's a cool thing.
• 12:55
  Absolutely.
• 12:56
  So what's another business growth tip for somebody who might be listening?
• 13:00
  um I would say, uh you know, we're usually quick to add our faith to our customer service, right, to our values for our company, right?
• 13:19
  But I would just challenge everyone listening that we can add our Christian faith to our bottom line.
• 13:29
  right?
• 13:29
  So we start oh encouraging within our staff, encouraging those others that do business with us, that sometimes we can, uh I guess, infuse our faith by taking what we've earned
• 13:48
  and investing it back.
• 13:51
  And that's a culture thing.
• 13:52
  You know, like if we kind of put that into the culture of our businesses, I just believe that the more we can't out give, we can't be over generous with the way that God has given
• 14:07
  to us.
• 14:08
  Right.
• 14:08
  So all of us that have successful businesses, I think if we begin to start infusing this concept of investing into our businesses that
• 14:20
  It will spread through our employees.
• 14:23
  It will spread um through the people that we partner with.
• 14:28
  And I just think that I'm excited about this concept and maybe just overly excited.
• 14:33
  And to me, it feels new.
• 14:36
  And maybe it's not even new at all, you know, but I do think that for us to grow together as a kingdom builders.
• 14:46
  If we start looking at this concept more closely of investing in the communities that are close to us.
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  And like I said, it's an elevated way of giving.
• 14:55
  It's not for everyone, but for successful business owners, I think it's the next step.
• 15:01
  Yeah, exactly.
• 15:04
  I think as humans, money is a scary subject.
• 15:08
  And some people, it's very emotional to them.
• 15:10
  But we have to realize that as God increases what we get, we should be increasing how we're impacting His kingdom with not just our time, but with our money as well.
• 15:18
  People in churches, who's the first person they go to in church?
• 15:21
  It's somebody successful.
• 15:23
  But how much more of that somebody successful was creating an opportunity, not just being asked for those opportunities.
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  They were looking for them.
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  They were purposefully
• 15:31
  saying how can my money, the income, the increase that God's given me, how can that increase be used to impact God's kingdom in a greater way?
• 15:40
  It's not about just throwing money at something.
• 15:42
  Sometimes that heartbeat that goes behind it, the passion that goes behind it, the vision that goes behind it is more powerful than the money that goes behind it.
• 15:49
  Yeah, I really want to get so much better at communicating this.
• 15:54
  um You know, I was reading a scripture last night.
• 15:59
  It was in Isaiah 58, and it talks about being a repairer of broken walls.
• 16:06
  And I just believe that as business owners and as those that are growing in business, I know you're asking for a tip, like
• 16:14
  Let's think about repairing the walls, repairing the walls maybe right in our own backyard.
• 16:22
  So let's look for those opportunities um as God has given to us.
• 16:28
  Let's invest back.
• 16:30
  Absolutely.
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  And it could be something simple.
• 16:31
  There could be somebody on your block, an elderly person that maybe their yard's overgrown here.
• 16:35
  And you could either hire somebody, you know, 20, 40, 50 bucks, whatever it is to do it for them, or just get out your mower one day and go do it and just serve those people.
• 16:43
  Because there's opportunities when we look for opportunities.
• 16:48
  And opportunities not just for money, but to help other people.
• 16:51
  And it's opening your eyes to see the world the way God wants you to see the
• 16:55
  I believe that because we can get very wrapped up in our day to day and all of the things that we have to do.
• 17:03
  And I was mentioning to you that at one time I was in full-time ministry, right?
• 17:09
  And it can feel like, you know, now that I'm in business, like, did I give up full-time ministry?
• 17:15
  You know, and if there's anybody listening that might be struggling with that as well, I'm seeing now that it's just a different phase of ministry for us.
• 17:25
  Yeah.
• 17:25
  total sense.
• 17:27
  that's one of things I'm passionate about, about what we do here is realizing that your business is a ministry.
• 17:33
  This is called business growth, because that helps people understand what it's about.
• 17:37
  But in reality, there's no such thing as a Christian business, there's a Christian entrepreneur.
• 17:41
  And the Christian entrepreneur has got to take his heart, her heart, and make something better out of the kingdom of God, impacting the kingdom of God through their actions,
• 17:48
  through their money, through what they say, how they deliver work, what their service or product.
• 17:54
  It's all about honoring God, being a good steward of God with your time, with your treasure, with your talents.
• 17:59
  See that, heard that in church all the time.
• 18:02
  Yes, ma'am.
• 18:03
  So what's a bit of wisdom you want to leave us with and how can people get in touch with you?
• 18:09
  um The bit of wisdom that I would leave is connect with people.
• 18:16
  I think that people are our greatest resource.
• 18:20
  You know, like think about like you and I, met just because we were in the same networking group, right?
• 18:26
  And now here we are today doing this.
• 18:29
  And I think even there's more in the future to come.
• 18:32
  So I would say, look for different ways that you can connect with people and that will surely grow your business.
• 18:39
  And anyone wanting to get in touch with me, I've created a BethelRC.com, which stands for Bethel Redemptive Capital.
• 18:49
  So it's BethelRC.com and people can go there, see active projects and also book an appointment or a copy chat with me.
• 18:59
  And I would love to meet anyone that listens to this podcast.
• 19:02
  Absolutely.
• 19:03
  Well, Myrna, thanks for being on here with me.
• 19:05
  It's good to see you.
• 19:06
  Thank you.