We recently connected with Foluke Houston-Gaddis and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Foluke, thanks for joining us 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.
As a child, the spiritual foundation my grandparents and parents laid for me and my siblings ignited my belief in biblical affirmations and manifestation. Starting as a young girl and adult, I often filled our house with journals and notepads filled with affirmations that reflected what I’d like God to manifest in my life. I can still hear my mama telling me to put my papers away!
In the early 2000s, I faced a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I felt lost with no clear path ahead. This was not something that you shared with others, so I felt like I was facing this alone. But my mom has always been super supportive of me and also an advocate of fostering good mental health, as she is a licensed Reality Therapist and minister. With her love and support, I secured a mental health therapist and began attending church again. This also reignited my practice of affirming myself, verbally and in writing. But in June 2020, amidst the pandemic, like so many others, my depression began to affect me in profound ways. So I returned to what I knew worked -I undertook a 40-day fast, and that became my turning point. I delved back into affirmations, renewing my faith, shedding toxic relationships, and prioritizing my well-being. From this transformative period, AffirmMePlease was born, driven by a divine push to share the power of biblical manifestation and affirmations.
Since then, AffirmMePlease has grown into a vibrant community, reaching over 40,000 followers worldwide. And in November 2023, we launched the AffirmMePlease lifestyle brand, spreading inspiration through a comprehensive, community-centric approach – meeting the “Affirmers” where they are. We offer journals, apparel, and more across the globe. We’ve learned to trust in the power of writing our vision and making it plain.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well, I’m a Mississippi native who found her groove in Memphis. It’s been my stomping ground for a solid decade, and let me tell you, it’s where my soul got its own ZIP code. Memphis isn’t just a city; it’s the stage where my family’s legacy of being die-hard changemakers plays out every day. I like to think of myself as a remix of the way my grandparents and parents created impact back home—spinning social justice, education, and spirituality into my own mix of empowerment. I come from a long line of folks who weren’t just content with sitting on the porch; they were out there building it for others to have a place to sit too.
My professional resume reads like a love letter to Human Resources, spanning two decades, as of October of this year, but my heart’s written a parallel story in the community, where giving back and steward leadership are my focus. Just like my mom and dad, I didn’t just sit around waiting for someone to pass the mic. I wrote my own song – I’ve continued to show and prove that my mission (personally and professionally) is “to positively impact others through my gifts,’ and that’s exactly what I’ve attempted to do since making Memphis my home. I’ve been involved with and led within several community organizations in the Mid-South.
As I thought about how to answer this question, I looked back at the roadmap that’s been my journey and the twists, turns, and learnings could rival the Mississippi River itself. But just like the mighty Mississippi, I’ve found my flow in making a difference—one opportunity at a time.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I think a lot of business owners can feel me when I say that AffirmMePlease is truly a labor of love. With the support of my husband Rodney, we have invested our time and funds into the launch of AffirmMePlease. We regularly discuss our goals and how we are going to achieve them. I also regularly apply for grants and similar types of funding. Recently, I was accepted in the Black Girls Social Club’s Business Program and Pitch Competition to gain more entrepreneurial knowledge and the opportunity to win funding for the business and I also was accepted into the 2023-24 Milestone Circles Program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center! As a member of the Circle, I will join a group of women business owners who complement my drive, challenges, and company stage to help me reach the next level as an entrepreneur! I tell people all the time, “I asked God for increase and the ability to create impact, and He gave me an idea.”
Now it’s up to my husband and I to do the work to make it work!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of the most challenging moments on my journey to create AffirmMePlease was when I faced a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. It was a period of darkness and uncertainty in my life. These mental health struggles took a toll on both my personal and professional life.
During those challenging times, I struggled to find hope and purpose. but I knew that I needed to make a change, not just for myself but also for my faith and the people around me.
Despite the highs and lows, I persisted in my journey to create AffirmMePlease. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of positivity. It’s a testament to the idea that even in our darkest moments, we can find the strength to rise, renew our purpose, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. This resilience continues to be at the core of AffirmMePlease’s mission to empower individuals and inspire faith through affirmations and biblical wisdom.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.affirmmeplease.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affirmmeplease/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affirmmeplease
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@affirmmeplease?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Sedrick Askew: Impact Lyfe Media