PURPOSE DRIVEN WOMAN
This month’s Purpose Driven Woman is Natasha Brown. She is a Tragedy to Strategy Coach, Bestselling Author, and Christian Ghostwriter. Her mission is to help survivors thrive in their God-given purpose by helping them transform their tragedies into strategies for books, brands, missions, and ministries. She is the managing partner of a branding agency, Brown & Duncan Brand, where they help visionaries inspire brand loyalty and also the founder of a non-profit, 10 Blessings Inspiration, Inc.,
Tell us a little about who you are, what motives you, and how you identified your purpose.
I always thought my purpose was communications—but in 2014, after surviving a life-altering tragedy of being wrongfully accused and leaving a very toxic relationship, God showed me that “communicating” and writing were simply tools to accomplish a greater purpose of helping people break free, stay free, and transform their tragedies into strategies. So now, that is what I do each day, in a variety of ways. I communicate God’s word and knowledge that He’s given me about business and life to coach survivors from tragedy to strategy and help them launch books, brands, missions, and ministries.
Can you share a little about the work you’re doing to transform the lives of women and why you’re so passionate about this work?
I spend a lot of time working with female entrepreneurs and aspiring authors, to help them tell their stories, start their companies and create strategies to impact the world with their purpose. In addition to that, through 10 Blessings Inspiration and our 10K Survivors Domestic Violence coalition, I facilitate women’s empowerment groups, and help domestic violence victims find safety (mentally and physically). Most of the women we work with have survived trauma (abuse, molestation, rape, abandonment) and have lost hope in themselves. We work together for several weeks to help them regain hope, renew their minds, and realize their worth and authority in Christ.
Why do you think it’s so important for women to stick together?
It’s important for women to stick together, unite, and network because we have each other’s answers, in so many ways. Women are resourceful, we’re courageous, and we take risks. More often than not, I am able to solve a problem or find the support I need by reaching out to another woman in my network, who’s been down the road that I have. When we stick together we can go farther, and provide a blueprint for the next generation of women coming up after us.
A lot of women allow their past to dictate their future. Have you ever been guilty of this? If so, how did you overcome it?
For a long time I didn’t believe in myself as much as others believed in me, and it had a lot to do with rejection and heartbreak that I experienced when I was young. I realized that it was limiting my potential, opportunities that I would go after, and me. We can never go higher than our own thoughts, and this is why many people never reach their full potential and live the lives that God has created for them. Honestly, God taught me these valuable lessons through my work. He started to send me clients who truly ministered to me through their work and the projects that we worked on together.
To stop allowing my past to dictate my future, I learned what God said about me—
that I am His work of art—predesigned with a purpose (Ephesians 2:10);
that I was created in His image (Ephesians 4:24);
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14);
that I have the power of Jesus within me to accomplish His mission for me (Acts 1:8);
that I am the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13)—and I have already won! (2 Chronicles 20:17) (Revelation 12:11)
My prayer is that these promises and affirmations from God resonate with those who read this as well.
Who or what inspires you and why?
I am inspired by people like you, honestly. I find most of my inspiration in God-fearing women and men, who are successful professionally, making a difference in the community, and committed to being a representative for Christ on earth. They inspire me because of their character. I see some of my friends, clients, and prayer partners endure so much, yet they never lose faith or sight of their purpose. That is extremely inspiring to me, because I understand and can relate to how difficult life can get, especially when you’re living on purpose and for God. To see people remain unshaken and unbreakable inspires me to keep going.
What does your daily relationship with God look like?
I am honestly obsessed with God. I wake up and pray and read a devotional or the bible. I am always either listening to worship music, or the taught word of God while I’m working or in the car. I spend a lot of time talking about God to people, and sharing testimonies of how He’s delivered. In my business, I pray that the Holy Spirit speaks and writes through me, and that He speaks to me, so that I can be sure I’m counseling and coaching people in the best way. I write and create strategies for mostly Christian entrepreneurs and leaders, including pastors and ministry leaders. This has been amazing, because God has allowed my passion for Him to become my career and the way that I earn a living. I Love how God works.
Now my main goal (and constant test) in my relationship with God is to love more and bring people closer to God through that love.
How do you find peace?
To sustain my peace, everyday I’m in a constant state of forgiveness and repentance. Things happen that disappoint and hurt me each day, but I realized that peace cannot coexist with bitterness, anger, depression, worry or any of those feelings that are contrary to God’s character. So I’m constantly speaking with God, giving Him my troubles and worries and asking Him to give me a forgiving heart.
Practically, however, I keep my peace by always having my headphones with me so that I can tune out of any environment that may be toxic to my soul, and tune into God’s word and worship.
What has surprised you the most about this journey?
My spiritual formation has surprised me the most. I was never a super Christian, and so now I surprise myself by how committed, devoted, and in love with God I am, and how it has become my entire life. I believe this surprising journey began when I submitted to God, and I obeyed Him. In 2015, I published my book 10 Blessings of Betrayal, and people thought I was crazy for sharing the contents of that book, given my career (at the time) as a well-known publicist. But I obeyed God’s voice, and it changed my life, my business, and showed me my purpose.
What have you learned about yourself?
Book smarts—my two degrees and tons of experience made me ignorant, and for so long I thought I knew it all. Not until I allowed God to renew my mind was I truly able to “know” anything and make wise decisions. The worldly knowledge I gained had me fooled for so long.
Can you share a scripture that is feeding your spirit right now and why?
Currently the promise in Revelation 3:8 is truly feeding me and affirming me daily. I am believing in God for major things and huge changes, and this assures me that it’s already done.
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”