We recently connected with Natasha Brown Watson and have shared our conversation below.

Natasha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

ELOHAI International Publishing & Media, is a global story company with a mandate to advance the kingdom of God through publishing, media, and missions. We write and publish faith-centered books, develop audio and visual media, and train faith and business leaders in the art of storytelling. A portion of our proceeds support global humanitarian and mission projects in America, Haiti, and Africa.

Our mission is really two-fold: to help everyday people and visionary faith leaders share their stories and to build God’s kingdom in the process.

I have always been a storyteller, and in 2014, after I found myself in a very toxic situation, I began journaling what eventually became my first book, 10 Blessings of Betrayal. In the process of sharing my story, God called me to two very new assignments: the first was speaking (sharing my testimony and how God saved my life) and empowering survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. At the same time, I began coaching and ghostwriting books for other authors, most of whom were Christian leaders and business owners. As I grew in both of these areas, I was also growing a passion for the Word of God and sharing that word locally and globally.

After studying in Israel in 2018 as part of a seminary program, I came home on fire with a passion to take the message of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups (those who had never heard The Gospel). At the time, I co-owned a branding agency, and God instructed me to shut it down to start something that He would show me. Over the next two weeks, He downloaded the vision of ELOHAI International in my spirit and told me it would advance His kingdom through publishing, media, and missions.

In 2019, I went to the mission field to Tanzania East Africa for first time to serve as a theological educator. I was equipping missionaries and pastors to share God’s Word with unreached people! While in Africa, I saw the importance of business in advancing the Great Commission. Today, I still serve as an oversees missionary to Tanzania, mainly through prayer. ELOHAI International has also provided funding for school fees to many students in the villages where I serve.

Mission-centered companies, or those who do Business as Mission (BIM) operate with God’s mission in mind. We exist, not for business or wealth’s sake, but to generate the resources necessary to advance The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This mission, and the many other movements that have been birthed as a result, are my life’s work. As a writer and storyteller by training and vocation, God has merged my natural gifts with His supernatural anointing for a greater purpose that’s bigger than me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In addition to leading ELOHAI International, I am an author of several books, including 52-Week Devotional for Women, Positioned for Suddenly Blueprint (with my husband), The Absence of Excess (about life, culture, Christianity and people in Tanzania), and 10 Blessings of Betrayal: A Spiritual Journey of Rebuilding through Tragedy. Though my writing, I empower readers to trust God, grow stronger through and after trauma, and experience victory in life.

ELOHAI International Publishing & Media provides writing, publishing, and story training. In addition, we have recently launched our media division, which produces audiobooks, podcasts, and video projects. We also provide high-quality book printing and host an online bookstore with literature on faith, leadership, self-help, and other topics.

Problem-solving:

We make storytelling simple for our clients and authors. Our primary market has been visionary faith leaders, and our team consists of subject matter experts who are also skilled writers, designers, editors, audio engineers, creative media specialists, and book printing specialists. We provide a full-service (turnkey) solution to our authors and clients.

I launched the company in 2018, and I am most proud of the quality of the products that we produce and books we publish and the new doors of opportunities our authors have received as a result of our partnerships with them.

It has been an honor to partner with some of today’s most impactful leaders in mental health, spirituality, business, entertainment and media. God has truly been faithful to us, our authors, and clients and it’s been such a blessing to experience.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been doing good work (by leading of the Holy Spirit and prayer) and as a result being referred by our clients to others who want to share their stories. I start each day with prayer, and I pray through projects as my team is working on them. As a result, God has led us to create innovative book packages, write captivating stories, and trouble-shoot problems that arise. We go above and beyond for our authors and clients, and I believe that this has led to our growth.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot many times in business. When I started the company in 2018, I had just invested in a major rebrand for my previous business. Less than two weeks later, I am sitting at a business conference, and I heard God say, “stop building that.” I was a vendor at this conference, and had met hundreds of business owners who were interested in my company’s services. It was hard to believe that God wanted me to close (or exit) the company on the verge of what I thought was newfound success. I must admit that this was a scary time. I was a full-time graduate student and business owner, and my only source of income was that company. However, despite my fears, I trust God, obeyed, Him, and never turned back.

In a more recent situation… In 2021, I had been a full-time business owner for 11 years, however I sensed God calling me to full-time ministry. I accepted a ministry position and not long after, I once again knew God was telling me to “stop.”

At first I was nervous that He was instructing me to close ELOHAI International, but He simply led me to return to a focus on building His kingdom without worrying about building the business. For about a year, I didn’t focus at all on my business and worked with only a few VIP and veteran clients. I didn’t teach writing and publishing classes, work on building my team, or generating income. During this time, I signed a publishing contract to write a book, and I was able to write a new book. I also focused on the ministry context in which God had placed me. Once again, this obedience paid off. The time has been redeemed, The clients have been redeemed, and so has the income. What’s best, however, is that during that time of resting and focusing my energy elsewhere, I received new strategy, ideas, and programs for the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elohaiintl.com
• Instagram: natashatwatson, elohaiintl
• Facebook: facebook.com/nbrownink, facebook.com/elohaiintl,
• Twitter: elohai_intl, natashatwatson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatashaTWatson, https://www.youtube.com/@elohaiInternationalTV