CHC Business Breakthrough Word

Breakthrough Word 2005 Issue 2

The Christian Entrepreneur (Part 2)

By Michael R. Davis

This is the second part of Michael R. Davis' series on the Christian entrepreneur. Michael is the author of three successful books, a high-achievement entrepreneur in his own right, and lives with his family in Orange County, California.

If we are faithful with even one idea, then God will give us more. We don't know in advance which ideas will be successful, either commercially or in other terms; but our faithfulness and action will create further opportunities for us. If we are faithful to God and the ideas that He gives us, we will be capable of similar and greater accomplishments.

Another key to making the most of our opportunities is to know our own strengths and weaknesses. If you are weak in one area of competence, bring people around you who can compensate for that particular weakness.

There are many ways to profit commercially from your ideas, but you may have to experiment with different business models until you find the one that's right for you. There is a lot of good business, entrepreneurial and innovative literature to read and get ideas from, and many local seminars and classes you can attend. Take the opportunity wherever possible to meet and network with other entrepreneurs and inventors.

Drawing Yourself Out

I remember reading a book on adult creativity in which the author suggested carrying crayons around to stimulate innovation and "doodling". I have tried it, and found that it's a good idea—it's freeing, and it's fun!

What does your idea look like? Can you draw it? Why not give it a try?

But, in addition to everything else you do, please become convinced that God wants to show, reveal and manifest completely unique ways for you to profit from these ideas. As He tells us in Isaiah 48:17, "I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou shouldest go."

The more that you believe God desires to help you on your journey, the easier it becomes for you to take small, but daily steps into the unknown. There are various ways to begin using the creative ideas God has given you. Just don't be afraid to begin!

Overcoming Obstacles

The following are some obstacles you may need to overcome and the names of some successful people who did it:

You are never too old to innovate. Think of the Kentucky Colonel—Hartland Sanders.
You are never too young to invent things. The youngest US patent was awarded to a four-year-old girl from Texas. The Wright brothers dreamed as children of being able to fly. The inventor of TV got the idea at age 14.
You are never too poor to change the world. Think of George Washington Carver and Mother Teresa.
You are never too oppressed to design new things. Mr. Rubix, who lived in the former Eastern European bloc, invented and commercialized the Rubix Cube.
You are never too under-educated or inexperienced to help mankind. Think of Ruth Fertel (see her story below).
You are never too handicapped to inspire others. Think of Helen Keller.

Basically, you are never "too" anything to pursue your ideas and dreams. As Paul says in Romans 8:31, "If God is for you, who can be against you?"

Case Study: The Ruth Fertel Story

Ruth Fertel of New Orleans was almost 40 years old, a divorced mother of two sons, and in a dead-end job. Despairing of ever being able to send her two sons to college, she scanned the local newspaper classified ads in desperation, looking for an idea.

Her eyes were drawn to an ad for a small, neighborhood restaurant called "Chris Steak House." Knowing nothing about the food and hospitality industry, Ruth borrowed $22,000 against her house, and bought the business.

Renaming it "Ruth's Chris Steak House," she perfected an unusual way of preparing the meat, combined it with a comfortable atmosphere that appealed to business people, and before long she added a second successful location in Baton Rouge. By 2001, there were over 80 locations worldwide of "Ruth's Chris Steak House," doing over $300 million a year in revenue.

The lessons I see represented in Ruth Fertel's life are:

She was stuck in what she perceived as a dead-end job and wasn't fulfilling her dream and passion. As a 40-year-old breadwinner for her family, she made a bold move to change those dynamics.
She knew so little about the restaurant business that unless her banker had helped her, she wouldn't have had enough supplies to even open her doors. But that didn't stop her.
There is an amazing power and value in developing a brand name and trademarked concept. Ruth developed her business from minimum profits from one restaurant to over $300 million in revenue from 80 locations per year.
The more than 1000-fold return on investment that she received: from $22,000 to more than $22 million in net worth.
She progressed from being a cash-strapped single mom to what many described as a classic example of the American dream.

Nothing new will happen in your life until you begin to move in a new direction. Albert Einstein said, "Nothing happens until something moves," and that is not only a law of physics, but also of life and business.

Developing Your God-Given Idea

It is hard to describe the sense of well-being that comes from successfully receiving and executing an idea. Here are some of the ways you will benefit from taking risks and developing your God-given ideas:

Emotionally—There is an excellent sense of joyful accomplishment that comes from working on your own ideas. Working on someone else's ideas is important training and can help pay the bills, but there is nothing to compare with successfully developing your own.
Mentally—We use only a small portion of our mental gifting and most of us develop a lifestyle that allows us to live on "cruise control." Most of the time we are not challenged to think creatively and solve real problems. Working on your own ideas will challenge you daily to seek answers to "what step should I take next" and solutions for the problems you come up against.
Physically—We know that good enzymes and chemicals are released through our bodies when we are content and fulfilled. If there are some good laughs and enjoyment along the way, so much the better, for they are good for the body.
Spiritually—If we are in tune with God and receptive to His messages, encouragement and ideas for us, then there can be a tremendous sense of filling the void and vacuum within each of us. There is nothing else—be it material goods, money, drugs, alcohol or sex—that can successfully meet that deep internal need.
Materially—If we are faithfully executing our day jobs and additionally working on our own ideas, then our basic needs should be covered. There may not be much left over, especially in the beginning, but we are sowing into our future and the potential payoff of our ideas.
Benevolently—If we continue to look out for others in need along the way, then we will be rewarded. Even when John D. Rockefeller Sr. was earning very little as a clerk in Cleveland, Ohio, he still regularly shared what he had with those in greater need. If we are faithful in a little, then we will be faithful in a lot and God will bless our faithfulness.

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