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

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

Faustina Fashion LLC: I’ve sewn for many years, after having children one of my eldest daughter (at 6 years old), began to show interest in not only sewing, but designing as well. I began working with her and (mainly self taught), she would create clothes for her barbie dolls from latex balloons. Once proficient, we then elevated to hand sewing,; she’d make outfits from old socks for her barbie dolls. By the time she was 10, she expressed to me that when she grew up she wanted to be a fashion designer. I began working with her on drawing sketches of designs and I purchased her a sewing machine for Christmas. She practiced using the machine by sewing holes in socks, clothes, etc. and by taking old clothes like pants and creating shirts from them. I then began working with her by sewing blankets as Christmas gifts. Before her 13th birthday God placed it on my heart to encourage her to pursue her dreams of being a fashion designer by obtaining a business license and sellers permit, etc. for her, For her 13th birthday I surprised her with her business, Faustina Fashion (which she unknowingly named), at her birthday party which was an Ancient Egyptian themed fashion show held in our backyard and she created the designs for the runway. We have continued working on building her skill set in sewing and business, another of her birthday gifts was a shed, which I built and created a she shed for her to store merchandise, supplies and create fashions. In two years of business we have now designed and purchased mass produced track suits and participated in fashion shows with custom and hand-sewn pieces, including San Francisco and New York Fashion Weeks.

Soul Tribe Ministries LLC:
I’ve had a helpful spirit all my life, and my middle daughter does too. She expressed as a young girl that she wanted to help bring and promote positive changes in the world; because I share those desires and have always encouraged my daughters to dream big, in obedience to God’s prompting, her business was gifted to her on her 11th birthday (she also expressed interest in becoming a business owner after witnessing her older sister’s excitement), This business is truly a gift that keeps on giving. My daughters and I wholeheartedly know Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior and stress the importance of having a personal relationship with God. Acknowledging God and thanking Him in everything, and sharing healing, hope, love and positivity in our home, community and around the world. As a result of our belief, we have a passion to creatively share the greatness of God, and have began learning and utilizing social media platforms to do so. I have also written and self-published a book, War Strategies: Fighting for your God-Ordained Spouse; available on iBooks, Kindle and eBook and as of 10/04/23 the paperback is available for sale on Amazon and Barnes and Noble; the audiobook will be released soon.

Because of our beliefs and faith in God our mission for Soul Tribe Ministries is simple: Aspire to Inspire Past Expiration! AIPE

Leilani Shaneé DeWitt:
My youngest daughter has always been a fast learner, very inquisitive and motivated. It was no surprise when she eagerly announced her desire to be a business owner as well! When asked what she wanted her business to be she said “fashion because I can design too, and ministry because I love God, and painting, baking, cooking, etc.” the list truly went on and on, which I honestly expected. God prompted me to help her attain her goal in business ownership,; when I questioned how He responded freelance, so again in obedience, I did as told. I surprised my daughter with her business for her 7th birthday, and she has been modeling and vlogging since.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I worked in the medical field for approximately 20 years. As a single mother, after God’s prompting I took a leap of faith and resigned from that position on August 13, 2021, to homeschool my three daughters; and follow my calling to Non-Denominational Christian ministry and motivational speaking.

I enjoy creative works, participating in speaking engagements, writing, reading, drawing, dancing, cooking, baking, acting, crafting, and especially spending time with my daughters, family and friends.

I am a college graduate with Bachelor of Science degrees; my grade point average and other academic achievements led to many certificates, recognitions and induction into The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS); where I completed post-graduate honors and leadership courses.

I attribute my successes to God; and give Him all the glory, honor and praise for the determination, grace, peace, perseverance, resilience, and strength I receive through Him; as a result, I have exceled in all creative works.

When God called me to leave my second job and then resign from my job in 2021, I was met with MUCH disapproval from others, opposition, scrutiny, word curses and warfare; it hurt me to my core because it was those closest to me. Becoming a homeschool mom and running businesses with my daughters was in obedience to God and has been a blessing in our lives. The road has not been easy, but it’s been worth it. We have experienced many disappointments, trials, and tribulations, and it has made us stronger and wiser interpersonally and as a family. Despite the naysayers, side-eyed views, and negative connotations, though God’s instructions don’t always immediately make sense, I understand that my obedience is better than my sacrifices and I choose to believe, trust and submit to His leadership.

In my opinion, the thing that sets our businesses apart from many is they are operated and run by a mother and her minor daughters, which is not often hear of, especially when the mother is the employee and not the owner.

Currently our businesses offer mass produced and custom hand-sewn clothing, models and modeling opportunities, a book and booking opportunities for speaking engagements and book signings.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One Lesson I had to unlearn is: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

How many times have you heard this lie? Do you believe it? How many times have you inadvertently been dismissive of someone else, perhaps your child’s feelings by reciting this lie while simultaneously remembering the scars you’ve sustained as a result of verbal wounds?

This convenient untruth is too often recited while blatantly ignoring the truth. According to Proverbs 18:21 KJV, that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” We are often taught that harshly expressing our disapproval, hurt or opinion is not belittling or harmful, and the reality is, it can be detrimental. I used to believe that communication was key; I now understand that comprehension is. Many do not actively listen to understand what is being said (and sometimes what is not being said), when communicating, they listen to respond. This, in my opinion, is where the initial breakdown in conversation occurs and often takes a downward spiral. If people would listen to others with the heartfelt standpoint of engaging in a conversation versus the prideful need to feel right, there would be less disagreements.

Have you ever participated in or seen a conversation consumed by pride and irrationality? As the conversation deteriorates you realize gain the understanding that the purpose of one or more of the participants (maybe even you), is to prove something. Words are then used to demonstrate perceived intelligence or superiority, but their choice of words produce the opposite effect, often revealing one’s foolishness instead. “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28); “silence is golden.”

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light (Genesis 1:3). The tongue has no bones but possesses an immense amount of power and the capability to break one’s confidence, heart and spirit. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average tongue weight for an adult female is 79 grams, an adult male is 99 grams and children 38 grams. Your greatest weapon for good or evil is in your mouth; “a wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). Words can be deadly not only discrediting and/or destroying the sender, but also the speaker. When we choose to tear others down (knowingly or unknowingly), we make them bitter, break relationships, bring them grief, destroy their confidence, disappoint them, sever bonds and sometime speak word curses. We must also remember that our choice to tear others down reflects us and often how we feel about ourselves and the image(s) we try and project on others, not them; “hurt people, hurt people.”

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Consider how your feelings after a heartfelt apology, or even respectfully agreeing to disagree; a relationship can potentially be restored, even strengthened. Consider how a timely yet or lifted your spirits unexpected compliment brightened your day. Be that person to others. Take notice of how complimenting or encouraging others can improve your also improve your day or mood.

Remember Christ’s final words, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the next time you find yourself in or witnesses a verbal disagreement. Though not the same context, the same theory applies, because sometimes an apology is not enough and whatever the relationship can be finished because of one’s choice of words; imagine or share this analogy:

Squeeze toothpaste on a spoon and then try and put the toothpaste back in the tube with the spoon; it’s impossible. The same holds true for words; once they said, they can never be taken back. There are many people who are not achieving their full potential because of a word curse spoken over their lives, and words spoken to them, that they have internalized and now believe to be true about themselves.

I look forward to the day we ALL choose words that bring life and not cause strife!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We believe putting God first and operating with integrity and respect for all has primarily helped us to build our reputation. Additionally, we develop and build strong emotional bonds with our customers by appeal to our customers emotional needs when creating, and mass-producing fashionable, modern, modest apparel, relatable books and other items that encourage and promote changes in the current fashion and social norms,

We believe appealing to each customer’s unique nature is our main key to success and is our inspiration and motivation. We also believe in the importance of appealing to each customer’s unique nature. We proactively anticipate opportunities for improvement and success and strive to respond appropriately, expediently, and positively to our customers, and change and opposition. We believe in gracefully not conforming to consumer buying and/or industry buying trends. Additionally our productivity in creating and meeting deadlines, milestones and objectives in design, manufacturing and distribution processes have contributed in helping us to build and maintain a positive reputation..

Contact Info:

• Website: www.faustinafashion.com www.loveoursoultribe.com
• Instagram: faustinafashionllc loveoursoultribe leilanishanee
• Facebook: faustinafashionllc loveoursoultribe leilanishanee
• Youtube: faustinafashionllc loveoursoultribe leilanishanee
• Tik Tok: 1faustinafashion loveoursoultribe leilanishanee

Image Credits
Mel Peters Picture People Runway7 Getty Images