Meet Jessica

How did I end up here as a Social Media Manager and Content Creator + Planner? Why am I doing what I’m doing and where did the passion come from?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a wife, a mom, and a teacher. Scratch that. I knew I wanted to be those things starting probably in middle school. Before that, I actually wanted to be a wife, a mom, a doctor, and then-no-a writer. But ultimately, the career goal became teacher. I worked toward that goal and became one.

Upon having our first child, however, my husband and I knew it was important to stay at home with him. I loved it. I nannied children out of our home, while raising our son, and implementing homeschool. Our son had not even turned a year old when I knew I wanted more than nannying. I started an at-home pie business. The pies were delicious, but in hindsight, I don’t think I was confident enough in my marketing skills to make the business thrive. That business dream dwindled and eventually baking became a hobby once again. Nothing wrong with that, but I knew that God had other plans for me.

Fast forward 3 years later to our daughter being born. Again, I felt the urge to do something more than being a SAHM and nanny. I no longer dreamed of being a teacher. Instead, my passion grew to homeschool our kids. SAHM homeschooling and still looking for something more than nannying. I prayed for God to show me what He wanted me to do.

The idea was presented to me by my sister to open a women’s apparel boutique. I had a background in styling and this seemed right. So, my mom and I set off on the business venture of opening a boutique. This lasted a year and a half, and it was so fun! I thought for sure I was doing what God wanted me to do. I was learning so much about social media, and my confidence was growing. I wasn’t just defined as a homeschooling SAHM, but also as a confident business owner. But I did question God. Where was the success? Was I really doing what He wanted me to do? Through ups and downs, prayers and tears, my mom and I decided to close the boutique. It was a difficult decision to come to, but looking back, I know it was right.

I immediately went into a place of surrender to God. I prayed. I told Him that I was all His and to lead me to exactly what He wanted me to do. Whether that meant starting a new business, going back to school, homeschooling, or putting the kids in full-time school. Whatever it was, I laid it all on the table. I wanted to be on the right path with my career and I really didn’t know what that looked like. That is, until 3 different people at 3 different times mentioned that I would be good at wedding planning. I gave it a lot of thought. I was convinced it was what God wanted me to do. So after a month of research about the new career path, I decided (with the encouragement and final push from my husband), to jump all in.

I began networking and meeting many people in the wedding industry. I connected with several different vendors over coffee and toured many wedding venues. I wanted to learn all I could and meet anyone willing to have a conversation with me. This was definitely outside my comfort zone-to meet with so many people I didn’t know-but, I knew it was necessary. From this, I put together styled shoots, got a job as a venue manager, and tried my best to book clients. But that last part wasn’t happening. I planned one wedding. Free of charge. I enjoyed the process, but I was confused as to why I wasn’t booking more clients. It was difficult. I went back to questioning God and myself. What was I doing wrong? Did I not hear God correctly when I felt that He called me to be a wedding planner? I talked things through with many new vendor friends in the wedding industry. I asked for tips and advice and asked what I was doing wrong. But the same answer came: “You’re doing everything right. I don’t know why you’re not booking clients.” Well, me either.

So, I went back to prayer. I prayed that God would really show me what I was supposed to be doing. I lost my passion for wedding planning. However, I still had a styled shoot planned. It was set for the month of August, 2023, and I knew I needed to follow though with it. I told God that I didn’t want to be a wedding planner anymore, but that if He wanted me to do it, I would. I prayed for Him to show me. I told Him that I didn’t really have the passion for the styled shoot coming up, but that I would do it anyway. I asked Him to show me something through that August day. I prayed for Him to do what He needed with that day. That I would show up and do my job, and for Him to lead me where to go from there.

I didn’t tell anyone that I was thinking of not being a wedding planner anymore. All of the vendors and models that showed up that day were putting so much hard work into the styled shoot, and I didn’t want to ruin it. Well, the day turned out gorgeous. The design I had put together was a dream and all of the vendors were amazing. (Okay God, so what’s coming from this? I continued to pray throughout the day for Him to show me WHY I was doing this shoot). The photographers knew I liked to market myself as a Christian Wedding Planner with my slogan being “planning weddings for lifelong marriages”. I asked them to try to insert elements of Christianity where we could.

With the models’ permission, we staged for the bridesmaids to pray over the bride. We turned on the worship song, “Waymaker”, and all I can say is wow. This was the moment. This was why the styled shoot happened. The sun was setting and the holy spirit showed up. Real worship happened. I don’t know if the bridesmaids models were really praying, but it sure looked like it. I can say one thing for sure is I know they were worshiping. And tears began to stream down my cheeks. This was the why. To give God the glory. And it hit me-that’s all that mattered. That God was glorified. And He was. I didn’t know right then what my next career move was. But I did know one thing: the people at that styled shoot saw the holy spirit at work.

After that, I was offered a job with the venue I worked for as a Social Media Manager. They saw the content I was putting out for my wedding planning business, and liked it. I said yes, and began a job I didn’t even know I was looking for. And thanked God. Showed gratitude.

After that, word spread that I was working as this venue’s Social Media Manager, and I gained 3 clients in the first month without even trying. I decided to turn my Wedding Planning business, Sweet LuRae, into a Social Media Management business. I have been intentionally giving God praise and glory with each new client I’ve been able to work with. It’s amazing to see what He can do. In a time of 4 months, I’ve been able to work with 7 clients (as of December, 2023).

All of my business attempts have allowed me to gain social media experience and confidence, along with strengthen my faith. I am so happy that God took me through all of that to finally see the amazing results. He is such a Good Father! This may be the beginning of what He plans to continue, or He may have something else waiting. What amazes me is that He knew all of this would happen even when social media didn’t exist and I wanted to be a wife, a mom, a doctor, a writer, and a teacher. Because He says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). He is a Good God.