Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grace Onuegbu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Grace, 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.

Truthfully, I never intended to start a business. Back in 2018, I had rededicated my life to God after a broken engagement and I was going through many transitions. He placed it in my heart to start a Christian blog where I would help women deal with life stressors and emotional health through biblical principles and practical strategies. I never expected my writing would resonate with anyone, but it took off. Going into 2019, based on what I did through my writing, God told me to turn my blogging into a personal development company where I would guide high-performing women to the 4Ps of life through creating balance. Based on my previous life experience of being a single mother, going to graduate school, working full-time, while trying to manage my household, I could relate to the challenges many women faced when it came to motherhood and pursuing their dreams. I knew many women were limiting themselves and not operating in their full potential to walk in purpose. I wanted to create a pathway for women to be authentically themselves, discover their purpose, and reach their goals unapologetically. Overall, society has painted a false narrative that in order for women to be successful in one area of their lives, they must give up another area. And that is not true, because with creating balance, you can live a life full. My desire is to help women win in life by transforming their mindsets.

Grace, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! My name is Grace Onuegbu and I was born in Umuahia, Nigeria. I came to United States at a young age, and I currently live in Dallas, Texas with my 15-year-old son. By profession, I am a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner where I diagnose and treat individuals for mental-health illnesses and substance use disorders. I have been working in the mental health field for 10 years now and currently work in private practice. Some days are challenging, but being able to help individuals to become a better version of themselves is my jam and is the model in which I show up not only in my career, but also in my business. I am also the founder of Smilebiz LLC which is a personal development company where I guide high-performing women to the 4Ps of life through creating balance.

Smilebiz LLC started as a Christian blog where I would illustrate to women through my writing how to discover their identity in Christ, deal with life stressors, and achieve emotional health through biblical principles and practical strategies. I saw how my writing resonated with others and had impact, so in 2019 God told me to turn Smilebiz from a blog into a business. At first, I was concerned about starting my business, because I was starting my new job as mental health provider and I never fathom I would own a business. I have always had an entrepreneurial heart, but this was in another league of its own. I realized that my business was bigger than me and it was an opportunity to make positive impact for women who felt undervalued, overlooked, and continued to hinder themselves from pursuing their goals.

Through my business, we offer a solution-based course to help women thrive in life in all areas. Also, we created a program called Woman Arise Academy which houses several signature courses to teach women how to grow in the different areas of their lives from stress management to leadership. I also offer speaking services and have been granted multiple opportunities to speak on several platforms. Signature topics include mental health awareness, purpose, life balance, faith, and women empowerment.

I am an advocate on individuals activating their voice to share their stories. Our stories matter and can help someone else who is going through trials to see how to overcome challenges. I wanted to help women who desire to share their stories through birthing their books and speaking on stage. I started an annual conference called Own Your Story Meet and Greet where we help women who desire to write their books. Many people have books within them, but they are scared to share their stories due to the opinion of others and self-doubt. I wanted to help women overcome these challenges, by seeing and hearing from other female published authors, so they too could write and publish their books.

I have written multiple books, and my driving force is to help people heal mentally and emotionally, so they can be who God has called them to be. Emotional bondage can deter people from pursuing their goals, living their life full, and in purpose. What sets me apart is God has given me understanding that our relationship with him is our foundation and through him we can accomplish anything. My business and ministry are based on John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”.

Before anything else, I am a daughter of Christ and I want to illustrate to others that God is gracious and faithful through everything I do. I know life can be hard, many people are struggling and are just trying to find their way. I want to show them there is hope and light at the end of tunnel. And if my business, can illustrate that for people, then I know I have made some form of positive impact and am in alignment with what God has called me to do.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media through authenticity and transparency. I connect with other women by sharing my journey and pieces of my present life to show them I am relatable, and I understand some of their life struggles. Genuine organic connections take time to build, but my social media presence is exactly who I am. On any giving day, I can go from posting an inspiring word to my vacation pictures. I often live my life out loud, because I want other women to see even when you have life challenges, it is important to choose joy. My advice is to be you and not concern yourself about likes and the algorithm. Most people connect to people who are themselves and can resolve their problems. Your right audience will find you when you are who God created you to be.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Before I had my son, I had made a decision to move out of my hometown to a place where I only knew three people. I wanted a better life for him, and I, so we moved when he was only a week old. Some people thought it was a bad decision, because I did not have a job and I was moving away from family. Nevertheless, I trusted God would provide for us and he did. My son was only three months old when I went back to school, but I knew school was the pathway that would open opportunities for me. There were plenty of struggles along the way from having my food stamps dropped from 200 plus dollars to 14.00 to having to catch the bus and train with a child just to get to school and work, but after years of academia, I was able to obtain three degrees including my master’s degree in nursing where I could start working as a mental health provider. I made this decision fifteen years ago and I do not regret it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.smilebizllc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/womanarisetribe
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/womanarisetribe
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/graceonuegbu/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@womanarisetribe

Image Credits
Olylive Photography