We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney Richard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

In December of 2022 my husband and I took what would be one of the biggest risks we have ever taken together. I quit my corporate job to pursue a dream and vision that the Lord had so clearly put on our hearts for about a year. We had a year of all of the “What if’s” “How’s” and “Why’s”. Rewind to July 8th 2021. . . My husband and I introduced our daughter Alaia (meaning: Joy) into the world. Little did I know that this little girl would REALLY change our lives. . . not just for the sleepless nights, and abundance of love but I believe if it were not for her, this dream and vision would not have come to pass. At the time I was working as a store manager in retail which I absolutely loved, and my husband was a General Manager in the restaurant industry. We both worked very demanding jobs and knew that wasn’t sustainable. I went from the girl who pretty much worked her life away to now the new young mom who was trying to figure out how to manage it all. While sitting on the couch on maternity leave, empty house, and silence; I began praying. . . The Lord gave me a vision for a clothing company. I had no idea what this meant but the Lord instilled this go-getter mentality in me, so a few days later a heat press showed up at my front door along with a few shirts and I began designing. This was all new to me, I never had touched any of this equipment before and wasn’t sure where to even start, but it was all led by the Lord. As months went by, I transitioned jobs, moving from retail to corporate banking for a more structured schedule. I found myself feeling empty and sad knowing my calling, but not fulfilling it, and like I was missing out on raising my baby. My husband and I started throwing around the idea of me pursuing full-time what we had now named “Only Grace Company”. I had applied for a vendor show and got turned down time and time again. It was clear that the timing wasn’t then. Almost a year later, a year of praying, a year of crying out to God, a year of fighting through something I knew I wasn’t meant to do. . . wow did that year grow me, plant me, and root me. I had no choice but to trust God’s plan and rely on Him. Eventually after feeling like the time could be coming, I started applying for shows again, this time was different. I was accepted! Finally, what I had been waiting for, praying for, crying out for! Not only was I just being accepted to small events but also large, juried events that there was a waiting list for. I felt a transition season coming but oh was that a scary feeling. As we neared the holidays the yearning for being home with my family only grew stronger as you can imagine. My husband and I finally made the decision to take the leap of faith and put all of our trust in Jesus. We left everything at the feet of Jesus that day, and we took hands and jumped. I had my own plans of about 6 vendor shows that year. Clearly God’s plans are better, and we FAR exceeded that, and also traveled to Canada and WV for events. Little did I know that leap of faith we took in November to leave my job and start working for the Kingdom of God would be the greatest, most challenging, trying, and exciting thing of our lives. Going to a one income family in today’s economy and with a child, one would say is irresponsible, crazy, and maybe even stupid. For us. . . it was stretching our faith, and planting seeds to reap a harvest, doing what we were made to do; Glorify God.

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?

It all started in retail where I grew my passion for customer service, fashion, and one-on-one connections. I didn’t realize it then, but the Lord was preparing me for what was to come. When I started Only Grace Company it wasn’t a huge deal, I was still working a corporate job and was trying to juggle being a wife, mom, having a side hobby, and also working 40 hours a week. What brought me joy was making apparel that would Glorify God, be conversation starters, and be inspiring and affirming. I did what most business owners do and started researching, brainstorming, and growing the vision. As a small business owner, you wear every hat, designing, marketing, finances, social media managing, customer service, etc. It is only by the grace of God that He had been preparing me for this. By dreaming with God, He has helped me have a vision for this company. What sets us apart from others is that this isn’t just a t-shirt company, or a company who makes things because we think it will sell. Everything we make is because God gave us a word for it and a vision. We are a family-owned, small business working currently out of our basement, but we know that the Lord will provide for us to grow on a larger scale. We want to Glorify God with our products, create generational wealth, and employ people to work in a Holy Spirit lead environment being able to provide them with more than enough. The Lord gave us a vision of funding and owning Orphanages, so we know this is for a much greater purpose than just selling our products. We are fully trusting in the Lord for this vision to be fulfilled.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

A book that changed my entire mindset on my business was “The Ens” and Outs of Leadership.” by Jeffery Price Jr. This book is written from a Kingdom Business mindset. This book is not only amazing for faith-based businesses but really for any business owner or anyone who is in the workforce. It teaches you about creating a culture in the workplace that brings joy and endurance. As a business owner who wants to employ people one day, it paints the picture of creating a business structure that is healthy, maintainable, sustainable, and to have a business culture. If you are in any way a part of the workforce this is the book for you! It will grow a burning desire in you to do, find, and maintain joy and contentment in the workplace.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

We manufacture all of our products ourselves in our basement. The story started with ordering equipment that we needed to start up our apparel company. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but knew I was going to figure it out. I started watching all of the YouTube videos I could and learned how to use equipment and systems. I shopped around different wholesalers to get our best deal, fastest shipping, and best quality. Once I found a wholesaling company to work with to order my blanks from, I then ordered a mass number of t-shirts, all different brands and a few different sizes, and colors. Coming from retail I knew every brand is going to fit and feel different. I knew I had to get the best quality products and also have good margins. Once I narrowed it down to what brand and site I was going to be using for my blank tees, it was a go! The biggest lesson I have learned is you can never do too much research, find products you love first, give yourself grace, and you can’t rush perfection, take your time. You get what you put into it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.onlygracecompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlygraceco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlygraceco
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/onlygracecompany

Image Credits
Megan Glyn Photography