We were lucky to catch up with Brandi Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brandi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I didn’t really come up with the idea of writing my first book. It was something that I felt the Lord leading me to do. It was heavy on my heart to write out the story of my life and my husband’s life and all the miracles we have seen the Lord do. During that time everywhere I turned there would be something telling me to write that book. So I finally just started writing it. My sister had written a book and she inspired me to write as well. She told me to just start typing like I was talking to someone and not to worry about the grammar or editing as I wrote. That helped me get started. And now people tell me that my book is easy to read and they can just hear my voice in their head like I’m talking to them as they read it.
I wanted other people to see that they can live that kind of life walking by faith as well. I wanted people to see that God is real and be blown away by all the amazing things He did. My husband and I didn’t know anyone that was living that kind of life except what we had read in books from people who passed away. I felt like this was an important message.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Pastor’s wife and homeschool Mom who never intended to do either one of those things. My love for reading and writing began when I was a teenager struggling with anxiety and depression. Books were an escape for me. Journaling about my life helped my anxiety. Holding a book in your hands to read and writing with a pen on paper is proven to be healing. I never thought I would be an author but it does seem to fit.
My husband and I write books, devotionals, journals and Bible studies. I have a blog and a website www.beboldbebrave.org and I also help women with natural supplements to ease depression and anxiety.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I had postpartum depression after my third child was born and I never thought I would get over it. My husband was traveling and preaching some and I just could not eat or sleep or get off the recliner. I was physically weak, sickly and skinny. Finally after seeing a doctor whose wife had dealt with PPD he told me to eat protein and sit in the sunshine and get out of the house and walk. Slowly but surely with my husbands encouragement I did. And after that we moved to another state and planted our second church. We saw great miracles there.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I had someone ask me how we were able to plant two churches without financial donors. I told her that we didn’t have the money needed to plant the churches but God provided each step of the way just in time. We didn’t have to ask for money. We prayed and asked God to provide and then we watched as He answered and sent provisions in various ways. Sometimes money came in the mail, one time a man walked up to the church and gave money. One time a church donated their pews and one time a man donated the building material for the church. It was amazing to watch.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beboldbebrave.org
- Instagram: @brandibecksmith
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandibecksmith
- Twitter: @brandibecksmith
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/cuzheis7
- Other: https://linktr.ee/beboldbebrave
Image Credits
Linda Wilson