All it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed.
Welcome!
My journey to becoming an author began long before I wrote Mustard Seed Mentality. Whether listening to my dad read a J. California Cooper book before bed or spending countless hours obsessing over my English papers in high school, reading and writing has always been a part of who I am. There is something special about being able to communicate your emotions through the written word. In my early twenties, I developed a practice of choosing three books, each from a different genre, whenever I stopped in a Barnes & Noble. I wanted to broaden my scope as a reader by choosing books outside of my comfort zone—books that would connect me to new perspectives and viewpoints.
My love for reading may have been the catalyst for authorship, but my life experiences, especially over the past ten years, color the pages of Mustard Seed Mentality. Albeit successful, the first seven years of my career were spent in my husband’s professional shadow. Even though we both graduated from pharmacy school with the same degree, I was always known as “Henry’s wife.” Then, I became “Jacob and Joshua’s mommy.” Don’t get me wrong, I loved my roles as wife and mother, but somewhere along the way, I lost sight of Jade.
Between going to work and managing my household, I felt like a hamster on a wheel—running so fast but going nowhere. Does this sound familiar? The reality is that we’ve each experienced the very real burnout that comes with being a wife and a mother. But the question is, how do we reclaim our power and chase our purpose? If we are not careful, we can get stuck in a rut. I know, because I almost did.
What changed? Mustard seed faith.
My husband and I opened The Prescription Shoppe, a full-service mom and pop pharmacy, in March of 2019. Initially, I was extremely reluctant to jump out there on our own and start a small business from scratch. I almost let my anxiety and fear of uncertainty get the best of me. When I tell y’all that mustard seed faith is real?! It is! I found a renewed sense of purpose. My passions came alive again, and I started growing in both my personal and professional life. Since becoming a small business owner, I am more willing to take risks and put myself out there. I just launched my second business, Battle Baskets, on October 1st. Its mission is to uplift newly diagnosed breast cancer patients by providing items needed for their treatment journey. I went from being afraid to start one business to owning two.
Mustard seed faith is about pushing past your fears and pursuing your dreams. If I had let fear take control, I would not have accomplished anything. Sis, I’m telling you: don’t let the fear of failure paralyze you any longer! Enroll in that course! Apply for that promotion! Start that non-profit! When we let go of fear and embrace faith, the sky really is the limit.
Women ask me all the time, “How in the world do you manage everything you do all at once?” The answer is pretty simple: I don’t. None of us can perfectly manage it all. But there are some strategies I’ve learned along the way to balance motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship. I have a tremendous amount of help and an ironclad support system. There are long nights, constant work, and incessant prayer. My faith is my foundation, my family keeps me grounded, and my friends keep me laughing through life’s ups and downs.
Whether you are up to your arms in dishes, trying to catch up on a week’s worth of laundry, or racing to drop off your kids before your next Zoom meeting, I can relate. As wives and mothers, we know how to juggle, don’t we? We are chauffeurs, math tutors, and chefs, all while executing at work with the best of them. We become professional multitaskers in so many ways just to get through our day-to-day routines.
My journey thus far has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m committed to fulfilling God’s plan for my life. I’m excited to share tips on staying connected to your spouse, being present for your kids while maintaining your ambition, and excelling as an entrepreneur. I’ll be candid and vulnerable. It may not always be pretty, and at times even a little messy, but it will be 100% me. Buckle up!
What’s one way you can refocus and prioritize pursuing your purpose? Leave a comment and let me know!
Dr. Jade L. Ranger