Jessi Connolly is a mama to four precocious gifts of God’s mercy. She’s the wife of one handsome pastor. She’s enamored by God’s lavish grace and will dance anytime she hears Beyonce. Her days are spent reluctantly homeschooling, tickle-fighting with her kids, drinking coffee with gals, running a few different online businesses, encouraging women in their creative endeavors and NOT cleaning her kitchen floor. She’s the co-founder of the Influence Network and one of the founding members of SheReadsTruth, the designer behind her family business, and she writes daily at Naptime Diaries.
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1. What site do you visit online to find encouragement or inspiration?
The Influence Network, of course! Well, for real – it is my favorite place to go for encouragement and inspiration! I hope that doesn’t sound like cheating but it’s a huge part of why we built this whole shebang. For me – real inspiration is encompassed in women sharing the gospel, sharing their lives, sharing encouragement, sharing business tips, etc… and that’s all on the network! It’s the first place I go when I open my laptop and usually the last place I visit before closing it.
The Influence Network, of course! Well, for real – it is my favorite place to go for encouragement and inspiration! I hope that doesn’t sound like cheating but it’s a huge part of why we built this whole shebang. For me – real inspiration is encompassed in women sharing the gospel, sharing their lives, sharing encouragement, sharing business tips, etc… and that’s all on the network! It’s the first place I go when I open my laptop and usually the last place I visit before closing it.
2. What is one piece of advice you wish you had known as a new blogger or online-business woman?
I wish someone had told me that having a plan and having a goal isn’t a bad thing. I think it’s a dirty lie that if we have goals or ambitions for our online lives, we’re crazy women who are out for our own good. You can have goals and vision and ideas and be very much about God’s glory, instead of your own. You can want to make money from your creative endeavors without being a shrewd, heartless business woman who only cares about the “brand”. Having a plan or a goal isn’t a dirty thing, especially one that has been given to you by the Lord.
I wish someone had told me that having a plan and having a goal isn’t a bad thing. I think it’s a dirty lie that if we have goals or ambitions for our online lives, we’re crazy women who are out for our own good. You can have goals and vision and ideas and be very much about God’s glory, instead of your own. You can want to make money from your creative endeavors without being a shrewd, heartless business woman who only cares about the “brand”. Having a plan or a goal isn’t a dirty thing, especially one that has been given to you by the Lord.
3. What has surprised you most in this life?
I am constantly surprised by the intensity with which people can change, grow, and be shifted by the Lord. No one is beyond His reach. No problem of mine is too big for Him. Nothing in my life is firm within my grasp once I’ve handed it to Him. Nothing in our hearts is stale or dead or beyond growth and redemption. That is surprising and lovely all at once.
I am constantly surprised by the intensity with which people can change, grow, and be shifted by the Lord. No one is beyond His reach. No problem of mine is too big for Him. Nothing in my life is firm within my grasp once I’ve handed it to Him. Nothing in our hearts is stale or dead or beyond growth and redemption. That is surprising and lovely all at once.
4. How do you refresh when you run out of ideas or creativity?
When I need ideas or creativity, I do one of two things. #1 – I read the Word or spend time with the Lord. I rely heavily on the truth of Acts 3:19-20 that refreshment comes from repentance. When I need to feel refreshed in anyway, I know some genuine time with Him will wake up my heart. #2 – I go to pinterest. I’m a super visual person and just seeing beautiful images stirs my little heart up. So I’ll head to pinterest and search “watercolor” or “deco” or “bold colors” and feel like a new woman again!
When I need ideas or creativity, I do one of two things. #1 – I read the Word or spend time with the Lord. I rely heavily on the truth of Acts 3:19-20 that refreshment comes from repentance. When I need to feel refreshed in anyway, I know some genuine time with Him will wake up my heart. #2 – I go to pinterest. I’m a super visual person and just seeing beautiful images stirs my little heart up. So I’ll head to pinterest and search “watercolor” or “deco” or “bold colors” and feel like a new woman again!
5. What is one thing you love about yourself?
My ability to be vulnerable. It’s definitely not something I have to work at or that I’ve done myself, just how the Lord has wired me. I used to hate what an open book I am, but I’m realizing now that it disarms others and points them to Jesus.
My ability to be vulnerable. It’s definitely not something I have to work at or that I’ve done myself, just how the Lord has wired me. I used to hate what an open book I am, but I’m realizing now that it disarms others and points them to Jesus.
