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

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It was last 2021 when I heard it was a YES year. early that year, I had an impression in my heart to sign up for a mission trip. It was scary to sign up knowing I am a homeschooling mom and my husband is the only one who is currently working. It means I have to raise funds so I can go and serve. So I did it. So I signed up. I wanted to come up with a fun way to raise money for my trip so I started making bracelets but these were not just any bracelets! I heard an idea in my heart to make bracelets with encouraging words that would speak life and truth to the people that wore them. during that season of raising funds, I found myself coming up with a name, I came up with the name, “Stacked With Purpose”. My heart was that, as they wear it, It would simply remind them of the truth about who they really are.

As I continued making and selling bracelets for my mission trip, I felt that this could become something more. I believed this was one of the things that I have been praying for, to do something while I homeschool my kids, help my household and serve by reaching out to people as much as I can.

My heart is for people to know that they are seen, known, loved, and belong. That there is a place for them and they are not alone. I love words, and I love giving encouragement because It encourages me and fills me up.

The initial start of our business was to raise funds for a mission trip to Mexico, but we expanded the business after receiving feedback about how our bracelets were impacting women’s lives. We are passionate about our mission to encourage and equip women by calling out the gifts that God has given them from bracelets and Encouraging and Inspiring words.

I thought In the beginning, I was just going with the flow. I love creating a new brand, I like helping others find their passion and helping out whether it is a business or a ministry. I love branding and starting up. So, When I heard some stories, about how these bracelets and words have impacted their lives, I told myself, this is worth fighting for. I find myself getting my domain, I built my website in 2 weeks, I even told myself, If I don’t figure out my website within this “free trial” period of time, I will never going to make it. So I did and after the basics are built, One of my friends helped me complete some plug-ins and explore more. did my logo and just everything comes out so easy, why? because I love what I was doing. until I started selling after my mission trip was funded. I started hearing some critiques that they will just have to buy their bracelets from big companies so they can save some money. That upset me a little, but that is what drives me more to pursue building Stacked With Purpose. I realize that I have to believe first before others do, I realize that I don’t have to discount myself because I can’t please everyone. I believe from the beginning that I have an audience, I believe from the start. because what I do is not only for people to consume, this is just a tool, to get them to wear and read all these words that are life-giving. all it takes is for them to believe it. I have so many testimonies in my file from people who bought, even when we are at some events, sometimes, they will pick up the cards and start to read them and I will see them get teary-eyed

We believe that our unique approach to handmade fashion jewelry, with a focus on identity and purpose, sets us apart from competitors. We are committed to partnering with different organizations to reach as many people as possible, especially women, and provide them with an extraordinary experience that reflects the love of God and serves them in a way that makes them feel seen, known, and loved.

We are a faith-based company, It means, what we do is by faith, but it doesn’t mean it’s only exclusive to faith-based customers. This is for all. we want to reach out to as many as we can. It’s inclusive.

We are so excited for what’s to come and hope you will be encouraged by our story and through the products we make and the words we deliver.

Sarah, 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?

Both of my parents were in business, So I feel in such a young age, I got that in my system, but my career for 20 years as a full-time professional singer. with that said I know how to communicate with people whether through music or speaking. I am creative in so many ways, and I love to make people seen, known, and loved, I dislike feeling left out, so my heart is for all to feel they belong, with that said, I felt I have all those gifts to put them together to create something meaningful, life-changing and also that can add value to others.

Whether you are building a brand, starting a ministry, or pursuing a business, I think the most challenging part is time and mind. I need to be disciplined in my time and my mind. Some people have other jobs outside of what they are building, It means, those can be free time for you. When we are working for someone, we know we have to clock in and clock out, and our boss is monitoring those times because those are paid time. but when we are building ours, we are not clocking in and clocking out, So if I am not disciplined with my own time, those minutes can go so quickly, next thing you know you are living off of “I should’ve”. I need to have discipline with my thoughts as well. I believe that we need to shift our thoughts. not all thoughts are good. and if we entertain those not-so-good thoughts, that can eat out our energy. What helps me is to journal my thoughts. and writing out my priority and second priority and so on…

What set’s me apart? I am not sure, all I know, I want to add value and call the gifts out of a person, I want to make people believe in themselves and what they have. I want them to feel that they are seen, known, and loved. We live in a world of “what can we get out of this?” whether we are working in the marketplace or maybe in faith-based organizations. But if we shift our mindset t; I lack nothing, what can I give you? how can I add value to you, how can I convince you that you are worth something more? how can I help you to dream again? how can I serve and love you? That is viral. I want people to remember me as a life-giving person, not a life-taker. I believe that I lack nothing. It is just a matter of time. I mostly stay in my lane. Trust the process and believe in yourself.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Some businesses’ ideas may require a business loan, but most do not. They start small, maybe a catering business out of your kitchen, a mechanic shop out of your garage. Stacked With Purpose started from my husband’s paychecks. We took a 20, 50, and hundred here and there, next check a couple hundred. I would buy beads and create an inventory and packaging. It took quite a bit of research to find great pricing and quality, We gradually invested in high-quality materials at reasonable prices and did thorough research to create a product that speaks for itself. With the startup money, I was then able to pay for smaller vendor opportunities and SWP became self-sufficient. It’s all about starting small and scaling up gradually. That’s how Stacked With Purpose began.

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

In the year 2021, I remember hearing the word “YES” This year is a yes year. I remember telling myself, I am done having nothing, We were not poor, but our mindsets can be so poor. I said this year if I want to see something different, I have to make some changes. so that year, doors have opened up, to signed up for a missions trip, which requires fundraising, and that’s how Stacked With Purpose started. But I have this on going thing in my heart, I always want to have my own thing, my own business, I am a homeschooling stay at home mom, and I am committed to that, but also I want to create something that will have a purpose, help creating solutions. but also will bring some financial freedom, It took me some great years to surrender my thoughts, figure out what I like. But that year, I know, It is a shift. and When I was building this brand/business, mothers were among the things in my heart. I want them to know that It is possible. whether, they are single mom, working mom or stay at home mother like me. It is possible,

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stackedwithpurpose/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stackedwithpurpose
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stackedwithpurpose
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stackedwithpurpose

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Kaitlyn Golden Braucht Taylor Thomas