Lasheea Andrews makes and sells skin care products. Magda Joseph runs a manicure and nail art business. Rhonda Perry operates a catering business. Terrell Scott is launching a mobile auto mechanic business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of these new entrepreneurs recently earned a Work Life diploma from Shepherd Community Center after completing 11 weeks of training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program \u2013 under the leadership of Ieta Kimbrough, a family engagement specialist and employment coach \u2013 is about more than strengthening job and life skills. It\u2019s about fresh starts, second chances and new hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of the graduates received a grant to help launch their business, and Kimbrough will continue to coach them for the next year as they operate their new enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the graduation ceremony, with family and friends in attendance, the new business owners had a chance to talk about their experiences in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Your belief changes trajectories!” one graduate said about Shepherd\u2019s Family Engagement team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another said: “If God is working through our good and working through our bad, why should we be weary? The Lord has been working through my good and my bad, so I\u2019m not weary. I thought it was over for me. I did drugs and alcohol in the past and thought it was over. But God is good. He came and got me out of my mess. I\u2019m grateful to be here today because everyone here wants the best for me. I love you all. Praise the Lord!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another graduate spoke about the hard journey behind her and the road ahead: \u201cSeeing entrepreneurs, leaders, friends and family all in one room is humbling\u2026 and honestly a little surreal. When I started this work life class, my family and I had recently survived three years of homelessness. I didn\u2019t imagine I\u2019d be standing here celebrating the finish line \u2013 I was just trying to make it to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis moment represents more than completing a class. It represents growth, healing, discipline and obedience. Because stepping into entrepreneurship isn\u2019t just a career move \u2013 it\u2019s a calling. And I believe God doesn\u2019t waste seasons, even the hard ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be honest \u2013 this journey didn\u2019t start in confidence. It started in uncertainty. There were moments when survival was the goal, not success. Moments when I showed up tired, and questioning whether I even belonged in rooms like this one. Scripture tells us in Proverbs 16:3, \u2018Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.\u2019 That became my anchor in this season. Commitment showed up as discipline. Discipline showed up as consistency. And consistency built confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis season stretched me \u2013 taught me that resilience isn\u2019t loud \u2013 it\u2019s consistent. It\u2019s choosing to show up again. It\u2019s learning when to ask for help. It challenged my faith. It forced me to face gaps I didn\u2019t know I had. And yes \u2013 there were days I questioned myself. But there were also days I realized: I\u2019m stronger than I thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s realizing that preparation is a form of faith. This class gave me tools, but more importantly, it gave me perspective. It reminded me that entrepreneurship isn\u2019t about doing everything alone. It\u2019s about stewardship: of ideas, of opportunities, of community. And if you\u2019ve ever Googled \u201chow to be an entrepreneur\u201d at 2 a.m. while praying at the same time — you\u2019re my people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo the Shepherd Community leaders in this room, especially Ms. Ieta: Thank you for investing your time, not just in businesses, but in people. To my peers and classmates: thank you for the encouragement, the accountability, and the reminders that I wasn\u2019t walking this path alone.
\u201cTo my friends and family: thank you for your patience, your prayers, and for believing in me on days when my belief was a little quieter.
\u201cAnd to God: thank You for carrying me through a hard season, ordering my steps and trusting me with what comes next.\u201d
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