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Christian Business Owners Outline Their Advice for Entrepreneurs: ‘Pray to Get Guidance’

Sep. 21, 2012 12:01pm Billy Hallowell

Owning a business is a rewarding, challenging and life-altering experience. In today’s economy, the difficulties are plentiful, but so are the success stories, as many brave entrepreneurs battle against the odds to make their dreams a robust and blooming reality. These issues become especially intriguing when these trailblazers launch faith-based ventures.

As you may know, The Marketplace by The Blaze features and promotes unique small businesses that are run by owners who face some of these profound issues — and joys. Scott Osborne of SentForHim.com and Mark Smith of Gifts Catholic, two of the faith-based businesses in the Marketplace, connected with TheBlaze this week to share their experiences building up their businesses. They also issued advice for Christian entrepreneurs who may be looking to follow in their footsteps.

THE SENTFORHIM.COM STORY

Osborne’s idea for SentForHim.com, an affordable and unique greeting card company, came five years ago after he and his wife noticed that the messages in greeting cards have turned, in many instances, negative. While walking in a card aisle at a local store, he recalled having to very-literally shield his children’s eyes from offensive messages.

“I remember thinking — ’What happened to the old days when all the cards were family friendly?,” he said. “We thought, ‘Someone should do something about that.’”

Faith Based Business Owners on TheBlazes Marketplace Speak Out

Photo Credit: SentForHim.com

Little did Osborne know that he and his family would be that “somebody,” as he described feeling God direct him to inevitably get involved in the industry. The business, which originally launched in 2008, has evolved to provide some extremely unique services. A description on the SentForHim.com web site offers up the family’s personal story — and their profound efforts — in detail:

Scott and Sheila Osborne founded Sent for Him (formerly known as Kainos Cards) in 2008, to help busy people send quality, Christian greeting cards in a fast and cost-effective way, thereby saving them time and money. The Osbornes had believed that many people were sending greeting cards less frequently due to busy lifestyles, and that the quality of cards was declining, with too many cards containing inappropriate images and/or humor. To address these problems, Scott and Sheila created an online greeting card website that makes it easy for customers to quickly find a card and personalize it with their comments and a signature (using a personal computer or Smartphone). The Osbornes then print and mail the card within one business day, or on the date selected by the customer. In addition, all cards are reasonably priced, at less than $3.00. This process allows any person from anywhere in the world, and at anytime of the day, to conveniently and quickly mail a customized greeting card.

With no prior experience in creating greeting cards or desktop publishing, and having limited creative and artistic skills (Scott and Sheila have banking, accounting and investment backgrounds), the idea of creating greeting cards that could compete against larger greeting card companies, such as Hallmark, American Greetings and DaySpring, seemed daunting. However, the Osbornes believed that with much help from above, hard work and perseverance, they could accomplish the task set out before them, despite the significant amount of time and effort it would require.

Slowly but surely the business has ramped up, with Osborne working a full-time job, while also devoting 20 additional hours per week to SentForHim.com. Naturally, like any small business, there have been ups and downs. The family’s faith has been put to the test — but in the end, God has always provided, Osborne contends.

“Because we believe that the Lord wanted us to do this, it’s been a trial of faith. We’ve gone through periods where we receive fewer orders than we expected,” he explained. “We’ve been at this four and a half years. I would think some people in our shoes would have dropped out, but we have progressed in faith.”

Photo Credit: The Marketplace by The Blaze/SentForHim.com

Osborne has no shortage of advice for others who may be seeking to launch a Christian or faith-based business. Among his most important ideas for prospective entrepreneurs, he says that prayer is key.

“Before I create a card, I pray about it and I pray to know what I should write. What’s the purpose of this card?,” he continued. “Any faith-based business [owners] — they would have to pray to get guidance.”

He also recommended that business owners keep a journal. Doing so creates a diary of experiences that detail the overall business growth, including the trials, tribulations and blessings. As a result, reading about the journey he has gone on has been a telling and beneficial process for Osborne.

“What I’ve seen is a pattern,” he told TheBlaze. “Where’s there’s stress, it’s followed by a blessing.”

THE MAKING OF GIFTS CATHOLIC

It’s remarkable how similar some faith-based businesses’ formation stories are. This is especially true when examining Gifts Catholic and SentForHim.com. Smith, who laid the groundwork for his business in 2003, had the business up and fully running by the following year.

Gifts Catholic, which provides Catholic products, is a full-time job for Smith and his family. The entrepreneur told TheBlaze that he has a background in chemical engineering, a fascinating fact considering the divergent, full-time work he’s now engaged in. His personal story, as presented on the company’s web site, provides a framework for how the business was founded and cultivated:

Years ago, I (Mark Smith) had a successful career as a Plant Manager for a large manufacturing company. But deep down, I was an entrepreneur at heart and was looking for the ideal opportunity to start a company of my own. After praying for discernment, my prayers were answered during a religious pilgrimage in Europe some 10 years ago. I found some beautiful, high quality lines of religious gifts and rosary parts at reasonable prices made by small family-owned companies that I had never seen in the USA. Friends were made, factories were visited, business relationships were formed, the groundwork was laid, and the leap of faith was made from a secure position in a large company… to a true passion.

Smith further explained his journey, in detail, when TheBlaze spoke with him earlier this week.

Photo Credit: The Marketplace by The Blaze/Gifts Catholic

“Deep down inside, I realized more and more that I really was an entrepreneur at heart and I just started looking more and more for a good opportunity for a business to launch,” he explained. “I really feel that God had a role in presenting [the opportunity to launch Gifts Catholic] to me, while I was so disposed on a pilgrimage.”

Among the challenges he has faced, Smith noted the fact that, being an Internet business, there is increasing competition from larger producers. Businesses notice the high-quality products Gifts Catholic provides and then they proceed to copy them. In a year or two’s time, these products are then being produced by competitors overseas and, thus, sold for less.

“We recognize there’s not much we can practically do to prevent that,” he said. “At the same time, we take pride in quality original products.”

While he heralded the ministry that his business is doing, Smith also said that his advice to other faith-based business owners would be to solidly run their enterprise. Some individuals become more consumed with the ministry end of the spectrum, which can’t truly be implemented unless a company’s business practices and growth potential are in fact.

“It really does need to be run as a business to be successful,” he explained. “Once you do that you can establish a solid financial platform than you can work on expanding the ministry based on that.”

Smith also urged those seeking to launch a business to find an underserved niche. Locating a mini or micro-market, he said, while also finding a way to provide better products and services than are currently being offered elsewhere, is a recipe for success. Passion, of course, is also part of the arrangement, as Smith believes that one must believe wholeheartedly in what he or she is selling.

For more information about SentForHim.com, visit the business’ The Marketplace by The Blaze page here. You can also see the products and services being offered by Gifts Catholic here.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (20)

vaman
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 1:54pm
So I toss a couple of bible verses on a card and sell it. That’s it? What a great scam! Why didn’t I think of that :( Just a bunch of “jesus loves you” garbage and certain number of our population will buy anything.

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- Patrick Henry
  Posted on September 27, 2012 at 12:22pm
  Yes that’s it Mr Garbage Pail! There is a market of good people in our land that Love those cards. God loves to be Honored and He see’s your filth! Give His People Time, we will soon be the MAjority again and able to rid the garbage of the world starting with you! OH, and God Bless you. Because God Loves His Garbage Sons also!
  
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White_Dove
Posted on September 23, 2012 at 1:49pm
I saw a commentary on TBN about “Will it hurt you”. The one example was a couple, the wife had an affair. She liked to read romance novels. She started believing that is what love is suppose to be like, and she wasn’t getting what she should. A man showed up in her life that would treat her like the guy in the romance novel. The sitcoms on TV are doing the same thing, A few examples are ; Be Aware of the B, Men using babies (manipulating) women to get attention. These are not manly actions, women see mean women get what they want and the good women in the real world don’t so they change. Don’t support these shows by watching them, find something else to do instead of watching TV. Do watch Jeff Foxworthys Bible game show, send a message. I wish all Christians could start their own business so they don’t have to deal with the cliche of evil intended people that surround them. Evil people hang in groups, they want to win.

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holy ghostbuster
Posted on September 23, 2012 at 9:01am
Prayer is superstition. http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/superstition.htm

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- White_Dove
  Posted on September 23, 2012 at 1:37pm
  Too bad for you, that you want to believe that.
  
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davecorkery
Posted on September 22, 2012 at 1:56pm
Throw your wishes into the air, but get a good business plan.

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DrKev
Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:55am
please readBURNTHILLS Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:06pm chick-fil-a did cave in to the gay degenerates. we will never patronize a single one of their places again. they do not need our hard-earned deccent conservative American values money. they have obama’s anti-American communist sexual degenerates to keep them afloat from now on.

burnthills DIDNT U READ THE MEMO WELL. NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SUCH AN OBVIOUS LEFT PLANT. dont worry everyone CHICK FIL A DID NOT CAVE INTO NOR CHANGE ITS POLICIES TOWARS SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE NOR ITS SUPPORT FOR HROUPS FIGHTING FOR TRASITIONAL MARRIAGE SO KEEP EATING CHICK FIL A STOP THE LEFT FROM GAINING A TOEHOLD
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chick-fil-a-president-dan-cathy-we-have-made-no-concessions-on-same-sex-marriage/

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DrKev
Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:54am
please note BURNTHILLS Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:06pm chick-fil-a did cave in to the gay degenerates. we will never patronize a single one of their places again. they do not need our hard-earned deccent conservative American values money. they have obama’s anti-American communist sexual degenerates to keep them afloat from now on.

burnthills DIDNT U READ THE MEMO WELL. NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SUCH AN OBVIOUS LEFT PLANT. dont worry everyone CHICK FIL A DID NOT CAVE INTO NOR CHANGE ITS POLICIES TOWARS SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE NOR ITS SUPPORT FOR HROUPS FIGHTING FOR TRASITIONAL MARRIAGE SO KEEP EATING CHICK FIL A STOP THE LEFT FROM GAINING A TOEHOLD
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chick-fil-a-president-dan-cathy-we-have-made-no-concessions-on-same-sex-marriage/

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DrKev
Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:52am
BURNTHILLS Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:06pm chick-fil-a did cave in to the gay degenerates. we will never patronize a single one of their places again. they do not need our hard-earned deccent conservative American values money. they have obama’s anti-American communist sexual degenerates to keep them afloat from now on.

burnthills DIDNT U READ THE MEMO WELL. NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SUCH AN OBVIOUS LEFT PLANT. dont worry everyone CHICK FIL A DID NOT CAVE INTO NOR CHANGE ITS POLICIES TOWARS SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE NOR ITS SUPPORT FOR HROUPS FIGHTING FOR TRASITIONAL MARRIAGE SO KEEP EATING CHICK FIL A STOP THE LEFT FROM GAINING A TOEHOLD
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chick-fil-a-president-dan-cathy-we-have-made-no-concessions-on-same-sex-marriage/

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jwt
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:31pm
God is in control of his people. Trying to do his work as we see it is a mistake. we need to enter the rest as promised to his children. Check hebrews, The Lord has all in control. Do we really believe this? Most christians believe we need to change the world. Jesus did not fall to the second temptation. Luke. What we see in the world is to be exspected. 2nd Tim. The followers of Jesus did not worry about what the world was doing, only what the Lord wanted them todo. Was man made for the world or was the world made for man??

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blair152
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:30pm
Good advice.

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ChristianKeyboarding
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:29pm
I have been wanting to be listed on the Marketplace but haven’t heard back in months after several attempts. Christian Keyboarding sells printable computer curriculum ebooks for home schools and private schools based upn the Bible. God put it on my heart to reach more students than I would if I was teaching at a school. My passion is for students to know God’s Word as they learn how to type.

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Calvinist77
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 5:52pm
If you want to see a company that is openly “Christian” read the mission statement on http://www.alphapros.co. They make no bones about it!

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BurntHills
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:06pm
chick-fil-a did cave in to the gay degenerates. we will never patronize a single one of their places again. they do not need our hard-earned deccent conservative American values money. they have obama’s anti-American communist sexual degenerates to keep them afloat from now on.

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- Healthy1
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:26am
  Better check again. They did not cave as was reported. Mike Huckabee talked to the president of the company today and confirmed they are on the same course as before.
  
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- Joker50
  Posted on September 23, 2012 at 8:31pm
  People, please read everything before you spread the wrong information. Chick-Fil-A DID NOT CAVE under government pressure. The liberal media wants you to believe that And the GOP is using the rumor to destroy it’s own moderate members.
  We were all born under God…we ARE all the same in his eyes. STOP IT. And there are no “buts’” in the Bible.
  
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TheTruthLovesLight
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:37pm
Speaking of the economy. I just talked with a friend who owns a trucking company. She mentioned that over the past few weeks the freight business has been drying up at a rate even faster than during the summer.

The trucking industry is like the canary in the coal mines of the economy. If they aren’t hauling like they used to it means the air in the mines is getting unhealthy.

And one other thing to chew on is when Israel attacks Iran, Iran has promised to shut down the straight of hormuz. Last time that happened in the 70′s gas prices jumped by 40% almost overnight.

How long can the trucking industry afford to keep bringing food into major cities like LA while paying $25 a gallon for diesel?

LA has a 7 day supply of food.

We saw what happened in New Orleans when people stop getting food for a couple of days.

What will happen to inflation with $25 diesel?

Will interest rates really stay low with massive inflation?

Will Fannie and Freddie really honor your contract for a fixed rate on a 30 year loan at 3.25%. If you think they have to honor the contract ask the the former bond holders of GM if the federal government honored the bondholders contracts that spelled out how much they should get in the event of a bankruptcy.

Will you be able to make the payments if they adjust your rate for the good of the country to 20% or whatever is needed so the federal government doesn’t go bankrupt?

If you don’t have food storage get it.

If you can pay

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watashbuddyfriend
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:05pm
Now, Christian Business Owners, you gotta know something about how Prayer to God works!

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hi
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:23pm
I love it. There are two realtors on 700 club whose business model is to glorify God. I need to remind my kids that is why they are there when they do sports and whatever they do! (and remind myself!)

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teapartyconservatism
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:08pm
Glenn, if God, ‘unalienable’ rights and our Constitution matter more to Mormon and Christian conservative leaders than to democrats, how do you justify extolling religious and patriotic principles while hypocritically condoning the moral relativism of ignoring Article 2, Section 1, of our Constitution by tolerating the usurpation of the Presidency?

BO often omits ‘Creator’ when speaking of our ‘unalienable’ rights, reducing rights bestowed by God to mere privileges permitted by politicians! Dems booed God at their convention.

BO not ‘natural born citizen’ deductively defined and required for eligibility by Art 2, Sec 1, as born in U.S. to TWO U.S. citizens!*

Birth certificate & selective service registration proven fraudulent by Sheriff.
Stolen CT SS#.
Sabotaging economy, health care and courts.
Promoting dependency, Marxist redistribution, open borders and vote fraud.
Loathes Constitution, the military and our values.
Compromising the lives of special forces fighters by politically capitalizing on U.S. national security operations and secrets! Abandoned allies.

Demand Congress depose and prosecute BO and his co-conspirators! Politicians and judges refusing this duty in violation of their oath of office, must also be regarded as co-conspirators and similarly deposed or voted out of office.

Boycott media advertisers; explain you detest their enabling the worst cover-up in our history!

VOTE!

* http://www.ObamaBirthCertificate.net

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