We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasmine Renee Madkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine Renee, 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.

I started Be Courageous in 2021, not because I set out to be an entrepreneur, but because I was led by a word. I was reading the Bible and came across Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The word “courageous” jumped out at me. When I looked up the definition — “not deterred by danger or pain; brave” — it stuck with me in a way I couldn’t explain. Something in my spirit said this wasn’t just for me; it was something I needed to share. I called my designer, Jennifer Alsobrook, and asked her to create a logo. She brought it to life, and the seed for Be Courageous was planted.

What no one knew at the time was that while I was creating this brand, I was in one of the darkest emotional seasons of my life. That same year, I silently battled thoughts of suicide. I was overwhelmed, discouraged, and barely holding it together. Only my then-boyfriend (now husband) and one close friend knew what I was going through. But in the middle of that pain, God intervened. I was at church when my pastor, Apostle Brandon Clack, called me to the altar. He didn’t know what I was struggling with, but God had revealed it to him. He laid hands on me and said words I will never forget: “I will not preach your eulogy.” He called that suicidal spirit out of me and prayed life and purpose back into my soul. That moment saved me.

Even after that, I wrestled with God. How could I create something to encourage others when I could barely encourage myself? But not long after, my cousin Brianna sent me a message that inspired a new shirt. It read: “I am Courageous, Confident, & Worthy. I like who I am.” That simple affirmation became the foundation for everything that followed. It spoke to my soul and reminded me that Be Courageous wasn’t just about fashion — it was about faith. That was the moment I knew this business was worthwhile. I realized I wasn’t just selling shirts — I was offering hope. I wasn’t just creating products — I was building a movement.

There are so many people silently struggling — feeling unworthy, unseen, and overwhelmed — just like I was. I saw a gap: there were plenty of clothing brands, but few that combined faith, healing, identity, and affirmation in a bold and wearable way. Be Courageous by Jasmine Renee became my way of filling that gap. Every shirt I design is an affirmation you can wear — truth you can see and carry with you. It’s for the woman trying to love herself again, for the man fighting silent battles, for the dreamer scared to take the next step. It’s not just apparel — it’s a reminder that you’ve got this, that you are worthy, and that you can be courageous.

Even now, God continues to use this brand to speak to me. Earlier this year, I lost my job. It was unexpected and hard. But the day it happened, I happened to be wearing my “Be Courageous, Girl” tee. I looked down and realized God was reminding me again — this brand, this calling, was never just about t-shirts. It was always about purpose. That’s when I knew I had to lean in and go even harder. So no, I didn’t just come up with a business idea. I answered a call. And Be Courageous is not just a brand — it’s my testimony, my ministry, and my reminder to the world: you can be courageous too.

Jasmine Renee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Jasmine Renee Madkins, and I’m the founder of Be Courageous by Jasmine Renee—a faith-based lifestyle and apparel brand rooted in the belief that we are all capable of living boldly, fearlessly, and unapologetically. I created this brand in March 2021 during a time of personal transition and deep reflection. I realized there was a message inside of me that needed to be shared—not just for myself, but for every woman who has ever questioned her worth, held back her dreams, or needed a reminder that she is capable, chosen, and powerful.

Be Courageous was born from my life experiences and fueled by the scripture Joshua 1:9—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This became my personal affirmation, and I wanted to share that truth with others through something tangible—apparel that speaks life.

What We Offer:
We create inspirational t-shirts, sweatshirts, and seasonal apparel that remind wearers of who they are and Whose they are. Our signature shirts include phrases like:

“I Am Courageous, Confident & Worthy. I Like Who I Am.”

“Be Courageous, Girl.”

Every item is designed to spark encouragement and start conversations. It’s more than clothing—it’s a movement, a declaration, and a daily reminder to show up with confidence.

Who We Serve:
Our community includes women of all ages and backgrounds who are ready to walk in purpose, own their identity, and live courageously. Whether they’re navigating career transitions, motherhood, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, we provide clothing and a community that supports that journey.

What Makes Us Different:
There are many apparel brands out there, but Be Courageous is rooted in authenticity, spiritual empowerment, and community. I show up as myself—flaws and all—because I believe people connect with realness. Our customers don’t just buy shirts; they join a tribe of women who uplift, inspire, and empower one another.

We are also launching events such as the Be Courageous, Girl Meet-Up and the Be Courageous, Girl Brunch, designed to build real-life connections and create safe spaces for encouragement, growth, and purpose-driven conversations.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m most proud of the lives that have been touched through this brand. I often receive reminders from women who say they needed encouragement—some have shared they wore their shirt for a surgery, to take the leap and start their business, or just because they needed a little boost to get through the day. It’s a powerful thing to know that a simple shirt can deliver that kind of impact.

What I Want You to Know:
Be Courageous isn’t just for the loud or extroverted—it’s for the woman quietly rebuilding herself, for the girl stepping into her calling, for the mother rediscovering her identity, and for anyone who needs a reminder of their worth. My goal is to build a six-figure business that not only thrives but transforms lives.

If you’re looking for a brand that speaks to your soul, lifts your spirit, and reminds you that you already have what it takes—you’ve found it. Welcome to the movement. Let’s be courageous together.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I sell exclusively on my own website, www.becourageousgirl.com, which is powered by Shopify. I chose to create and manage my own e-commerce store because I wanted full control over the customer experience, brand presentation, and the ability to build direct relationships with my audience. Having my own site allows me to design everything to reflect the heart and mission of Be Courageous, from visuals to messaging. It also means I can collect customer emails, track preferences, and communicate directly with my community without relying on third-party algorithms or restrictions. Additionally, by not paying marketplace fees like those on Amazon or Etsy, I keep better profit margins that I can reinvest back into the business. Owning my site also gives me the flexibility to create custom campaigns, launch limited edition products, and host special events such as the Be Courageous, Girl Meet-Up.

That said, there are some challenges. Unlike established marketplaces that have built-in search and discovery tools, driving traffic to my site requires intentional marketing efforts. I also handle everything myself—from website design to customer service and order fulfillment—which takes time and focus to maintain a high-quality experience. Another consideration is that a lesser-known site doesn’t have the automatic trust factor that platforms like Amazon or Etsy carry, so I work hard to build credibility through customer reviews, testimonials, and strong branding. Overall, owning my own e-commerce site has been incredibly empowering, allowing me to tell my story in my own voice and build a community rather than just a customer base. Though it requires more effort upfront, it’s worth it to grow something that’s truly mine.

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

When I started Be Courageous by Jasmine Renee, it wasn’t just about making shirts — it was about creating something bigger. A movement for women like me who want to be bold, confident, and unapologetically themselves. But I’m going to be real — the journey hasn’t always been easy.

There were moments when I doubted if anyone would even notice. When orders were slow, social media felt like crickets, and balancing running a business with everything else in life felt overwhelming. I’ve had long nights wondering if I was doing enough or if I should just give up.

And honestly, orders are still slow. There are days—or even weeks—when I might not make a single sale. Even at vendor events, sometimes no one buys. But I keep pushing myself because quitting is not an option. I started this brand with a purpose, and I’m determined to see it through.

One of the most encouraging parts of this journey has been the private Facebook group I created called “Be Courageous, Girl!” It’s not just me sharing encouragement—women in the group lift each other up every day, posting reminders about why it’s so important to be courageous. Right now, we have 160 amazing women in the group, and I’m so excited to watch it grow and reach even more women who need this message.

This isn’t just about sales or business—it’s about building a community where we remind each other every day that we are strong, worthy, and capable of stepping into our purpose. And I’m committed to keeping that spirit alive, no matter what.

Every time I thought about quitting, I reminded myself what Be Courageous really means: courage isn’t about never being scared — it’s about stepping forward in spite of the fear. So I kept going. I kept creating. I kept showing up.

And slowly but surely, the community grew. Women started reaching out to tell me how the message spoke to them. Orders started coming in. And that’s when I realized — this is more than just a brand. It’s a movement. A sisterhood of women who believe in themselves and their worth.

This journey has tested my resilience, but it’s made me stronger. And if there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s this: whatever you’re facing, keep going. Be courageous. You’ve got this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.becourageousgirl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_jrenee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563617885126
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-rene%C3%A9-madkins-389043146/

Image Credits

Photo credit from Sed Askew of Impact Lyfe Media (https://impactlyfemedia.com/)