We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sametria Beckem. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sametria below.

Sametria , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time, I think starting my business sooner might have made things a bit smoother, but at the same time, I believe everything happens for a reason. The idea for my first book was born around 2020, though I can’t remember the exact timing—it was a while ago. It took me over a year to write because I faced many challenges along the way. After pushing through those struggles, I felt a sense of purpose. That’s when the name *Purposely Here* came to me. It represented how, after everything I’d been through, I realized I was here for a reason.

From there, I wanted a brand logo that people could instantly recognize, like how everyone knows Nike just by seeing the swoosh. I started looking for someone to create the logo, and when I finally saw the first samples on a hoodie, shirt, and bag, I was blown away. I thought, *this is it—I need to figure out how to make this happen.* That’s when I began researching how to create and sell clothing.

At the same time, I was dealing with personal setbacks from the past, which inspired me to start a YouTube channel. I wanted to share my story and help other women understand their worth and value. That decision sparked so many other business ideas that I’m now working to accomplish.

Looking back, starting sooner would have given me more time to be in the growth phase by now instead of still building. I feel like if I’d had things lined up earlier, it might have been easier to manage everything. But I’ve come to realize that life unfolds the way it’s supposed to. I’m proud to say I’ve built this business from the ground up, alongside my children. Sharing this journey with them and the people I love has been an amazing experience.

When I started *Purposely Here*, I was a stay-at-home mom, and I had a lot of time to dedicate to writing and researching without the distraction of a 9-5. But financial limitations made it hard to invest in the business. Now that I’ve been working full-time for a few years, and with my kids being older, I still prioritize them and balance my business on top of my job. Although work takes up a lot of my time, it allows me to invest financially in my business without as much strain.

So, while starting earlier might have made some things easier, I’m grateful for the timing because it’s allowed me to build my business in a way that fits my life and priorities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a mother of eight—seven of whom are still at home—and I’m originally from the west side of Michigan. For the past few years, my family and I have been living in the Detroit metro area. My journey into writing and entrepreneurship really started with the life challenges I faced, which eventually led me to write my first book. That experience became the foundation for everything that came after.

Right now, I’m a self-published author of two books, and I also run a brand called *Purposely Here*. My website, purposelyhere.com, features exclusive merchandise like graphic hoodies for the whole family, 2025 graduation memorabilia, men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, as well as home décor items like wall portraits. There’s so much to offer, and I’d encourage people to check out the site to see all the goodies for themselves!

Aside from my books and merchandise, I run a YouTube channel dedicated to women. It’s all about encouraging women to live a life that’s holy and acceptable to The Most High. I’m passionate about teaching women that we don’t need to live loosely—we need to respect our bodies, our lives, and the way we carry ourselves. Our children are watching and often mimicking what they see, and unfortunately, many young boys grow up believing that the way some women present themselves in mainstream culture is the standard they should seek.

My mission is to help women realize we need to straighten up and be the example for these young girls. Instead of looking up to public figures like Sexxy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, or Glorilla, I want them to admire women who live with modesty, self-love, and respect. It’s time to reclaim what it means to be a woman and take it back to the values that helped build peaceful, respectful homes. I’m committed to being part of that change.

What sets *Purposely Here* apart is that it’s not just about selling products or sharing content—it’s about creating a movement. I’m proud that I’m building this business from the ground up, while raising my children and staying true to my values. I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is rooted in the belief that we can build better homes, stronger communities, and a more positive example for future generations. It’s all about collaboration, growth, and living with purpose.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Like many, I’ve faced a lot over the course of my 40 years—especially in the last decade, with things worsening over the past four years. But through it all, I’ve learned to grow and never let the challenges hinder my purpose. The greater goal is always ahead of me, and that’s where I keep my focus.

I have my children, and their futures are so important. I can’t allow defeat to stop me. I might struggle for a moment, but the drive to push forward always kicks in. I remind myself that resilience is key, and I’ve developed sayings to keep me on track. One that I live by is, *”Let my first reaction be to lean on my faith, not fear.”* Fear can hold back the resilience we possess, but I refuse to let it hold me back.

This mindset has helped me push through and stay on the straight and narrow, no matter what life throws my way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A major lesson I had to unlearn is that no matter what people say, you can’t always rely on them. The Most High always has your back more than anyone else. People will often tell you what you want to hear, but their intentions may not align with what they promise. Now, don’t get me wrong—there are people who will genuinely be there for you. But even then, you can’t put all your trust in them. Doing so sets you up for disappointment.

I’ve learned to always be prepared to do things myself, even when someone says they’ll help. That way, if they don’t come through, it won’t hurt as much—or at all—because I’ve already prepared myself to handle it. This mindset helps avoid delays and keeps my progress moving forward, regardless of others. It’s a lesson that’s helped me stay resilient and focused on my goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purposelyhere.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alldaughtersofzion?igsh=Zmp5cncyMXlhd3Vz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sametria.beckemc/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sametriabeckem2261?si=8UPPQcXAZ7m-Rn8K
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealmrsbeckem?_t=8oBOWdO0Oo3&_r=1

Image Credits

Professional pics in yellow by Aaron Guddy
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554971352212