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

Steffani, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The mission of my business, which is more like a ministry, was created out a very festive family life. I was gifted with many vibrant, heart-warming, memory making opportunities to celebrate seasons and feast days throughout the year. That part of my life made a lasting impression on my faith, the way I appreciate culture, and how I participate in the world around me. I had the idea to share this when I saw just how deprived we are of authentic cultural experiences and time with community and family. I wanted others in my immediate circle of friends and family, but also in my city, to live a life full of faith in God and joy. I began by simply sharing my story through my blog by explaining the special things we were doing that month to celebrate a feast day or season. Then I developed a website and social media platforms for others to follow so they could get straight-forward ideas for living the year intentionally. This became a business when people began to see how much more their life could be than work and task lists. I am asked to give talks all over the country, I offer consulting services to community groups in customizing authentic opportunities for celebrations, I speak on podcasts and radio shows, and am currently contributing to one book, and writing another on my own. As this grew I saw that there are specific items and heirlooms that people desired to have in their home and I opened a market, called Liturgy Market, to fill that need. It’s been two years since I launched what I initially named as His Girl Sunday and that has since grown to be referred to as Liturgy Culture & Kitchen, and Liturgy Market. To get from my lofty idea of reintegrating cultural expressions of festivity back into our towns to this point took a lot of work and struggle. I have had to not just focus on my specialization, but also learn how to create and advance my website, SEOs, and social media platforms. After coming home from my day job I would spend hours learning how to launch an online business, product photography, taxes, shipping, product packaging, the works! I spent days and months building collaborative relationships with churches, other ministries, families, and businesses so that this mission could be backed and supported by others with credibility. On top of that I was writing, speaking, and appearing anywhere I could that would listen to this mission, but also this deep desire that I have for the good of my family and community. All while still trying to authentically partake in my own family traditions and customs. It certainly has not been for the faint of heart, but I fully believe that we would be much happier people if we knew how to take a break from the pressures of daily life, and learned how to express our faith and gladness through tradition and festivity.

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

I grew up in East Texas but moved to Houston to get a Masters degree in Theology and taught that subject for 8+ years in High schools. I specialize in understanding and sharing the “why” of our faith, while also helping others understand the “how” in living those principles out. As I was expanding my own understanding in how to help adults live out feast days and seasons I found that most of the current, modern day, resources online were all geared towards small children. This was troubling to me because I know from studying Theology that there is a long history, hundreds upon thousands of years, where lived tradition and culture was done by adults. All age ranges and stages of life were a part of these family and community customs. Yet, all we currently have resources for are arts and crafts activities for children. It was in this very predicament that I found the need to help adults understand their own heritage, and live that out organically in their home and with their community. I am currently the only one doing this through a practical, faith-filled approach and I am the first person in the Catholic Church to have created a position within parish work for this exact need. I wholeheartedly believe that I was put on this earth to serve others and help them know how to give praise. You wouldn’t think it would take someone to do this, but it is a true and startling reality that we no longer know how to praise. I am proud and humbled to walk with people in doing this, to hear about their lives and support them in establishing a sense of joy in their life. My blog and market both contribute to this goal and I am immensely grateful for those who follow, read, and shop from my business.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the goals I had for myself from the very start of this journey was to write a book. I felt that it would be most beneficial to everyone that is interested in this topic to have all my ideas, tips, and resources in one place. As you may or may not know, the publishing world is highly competitive, but I wasn’t going to let that deter me from trying. I began writing my first manuscript over a year and a half ago. I wrote the first chapter, made sure it was properly edited, came up with a full proposal, and asked other credible individuals to write reviews. I sent all of that in to 5+ publishers and everyone came back with a similar email stating how much they loved the idea, but weren’t going to publish it at this time. I was discouraged, as you might expect, but if there’s anything my professional dance career taught me it is to keep trying. When I received the denial letter from the publisher that I truly wanted to work with I immediately emailed back saying that I had another manuscript, perhaps they might like that one better. I got a reply back saying how much they appreciated my resilience and encouraged me to send it over. I am so glad that I replied with that because they accepted that manuscript and my first book will be published in November 2024.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Fostering brand loyalty came to me one day when I was meeting with my financial advisor. He encouraged me to think about the fast food franchise Chick-fil-A. He made me list out all the places that someone could go to buy a chicken sandwich and then reminded me of why we all go to Chick-fil-A and bemoan their Sunday closures. The secret is in their specialty, they are very good to their customers and they focus on doing a few things very well. I seek to do the same thing as Chick-fil-A in my field and as a result I have excellent customer loyalty and returns. I don’t treat my customers like shoppers, I treat them like people in my community who need something in their life that I can offer to them. My email campaigns are written from that perspective, along with my social media posts. When I ship their packages they all get a hand written note of thanks, a prayer card to let them know that we are united in faith, and a tea bag so that as they delight in their new item from my market while they can enjoy a home brewed cup of tea on me. Showing people a small act of kindness can go a very long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hisgirlsunday.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/steffani_hisgirlsunday
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hisgirlsunday

Image Credits
Headshot by Janisse Valenzuela Photography Mug image by Sweet Water