Discovering Purpose: Emily Ford's Journey to Seven-Figure Success through Faith and Resilience

As Emily talked about, everybody, too much has been given, much is required. Just the fact that we wake up in the morning, we put two feet on the ground, that is much given. This is the Own IT show where we tell stories of how everyday people made ownership theirs. Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Own IT Show. I'm your host, Justin.

And I'm Elise. Welcome to the show.

And guys, I know we've been kind of going on this series and we've been really talking about what does it mean to lean into your different, what does your story, what does your testimony, what does all of these things have in common when you're putting one foot in front of the other? And what mission are you really on? Where are you looking at going? I know we have something called this inner discontent or this inner calling, this inner pull that sometimes gets really confusing and convoluted internally. And we fight this inner battle sometimes. And we often start fighting ourselves rather than just allowing it to be a calling that we lean into and to start driving our focus. And so the person that we have on today, the guest that we're bringing on, is somebody that I've met and Elise have met through our mastermind at the Wellspring. And the unique thing about her is that she's got a story that I think will resonate with a lot of people. We know that our testimony is something that we are meant to have. It's something that's meant to make us relatable, something that meant to speak to people in a way that others may not have heard before. You see yourself in somebody else for maybe the first time. And that responsibility that she's been able to do and speak through her testimony, she's not just somebody who's out there speaking about it, but she's out there taking responsibility for those as well and allowing them to have a place to ultimately reach this, their potential as well. So, Emily Ford, it is a great pleasure to have you on the Own it show and thank you for spending the time with us today.

Thank you. I'm so honored to be here and I am so excited about your guys mission.

Emily, I would love for you just to spend two minutes, because every podcast in the world starts with, so where did you come from? Who are you? What did you do? I want to spend just two minutes on a little bit about yourself. Who are you? Where are you? Where are you from? What got you into this ultimately space that you're in? And there's a couple things on your journey that I really want to hone in on that I got the pleasure of hearing and understanding when we were together in, in Colorado Springs.

Yeah. Yeah. So awesome. I always, our values always be at the forefront of my life and all that I do. That's what it really helped me do. And it really helped love deeper love people, all people, no matter what, no matter if I'm going to see them one time, never see them again, or if I'm going to build a business with them, you know, it, it really helped me with the foundations of life, the principles of life and really to learn, you know, all those things that transcend in all areas of life. And I would say one of the most important things that it has helped me with is confidence as a young woman.

For sure.

Like I, because I've gone to church and got involved, I understand that I'm the only me out there. You know, he knits you together in, in your mother's womb. Right. Like, and so that helped me immensely because I wasn't the smartest kid in school. I struggled. You know, I wasn't great with numbers. But then I really knew like, okay, but there is other things I'm really great at. And so instead of focusing on what I'm not, I've chosen to focus on what I am. And having those principles sh through has really made all the difference in my whole life.

It's. It's so amazing. And you can tell just by, by speaking with you and from your energy, you have such a connected spirit. And like you said, you were drawn to the light from a very, very young age. So I'm curious to understand. You know, I think there's a lot of people who can resonate with what it is you're saying. But for a lot of our listeners out there who haven't necessarily experienced what you might be talking about, can you, can you talk to them a little bit about what this means on a day to day basis and how you cultivate this?

Yeah, that's so good. Because you know, there, there are seasons just like everybody, like seasons where I've had strong faith and seasons where it's been more of a struggle. But it was always kind of underneath what I had to do. I had to find a place where I could go, a church that I felt right with. There were some places I go to and I'm like, it just doesn't feel right. It feel judgy, it feels some kind of way. And if you're listening and you're like, that's how I have felt. Like I do the non denominational Thing, you know, anybody do, do what you want. I was, my family though, was Catholic and I just couldn't. For me it was a struggle. And so I was like on a quest. I always say, like, be resourceful. And I'm like, let me tap in, let me see where, where I can go. And so that's what I've done. You know, even in Hollywood, you know, my pastor's Irwin McManus at this church called Mosaic. I mean you could watch line. He's written so many good books. At one of the hardest times in my life, he changed my life. He was there, you know. And so I always say, go search, but give it a little bit of time. It's like working out. Like it's not going to happen overnight. So go consistently and then get involved. And so I'm so big at, you know, scheduling things that I want to see grow. So it's like why we're in a group together that, you know, Monday mornings we worship and then we break off and pray for each other. Like I always try to schedule it and it's a non negotiable. And even in building business, like there was a time where I was so crazy busy that I wanted to just be like, I don't need to go to church, I don't need to do this. I'm so busy. Like we all have these things. And I realized when I did that made those poor decisions, I made poor decisions in life. I made poor decisions in the way I showed up as a leader, as a person. And so it's always been since I had that revelation, like God has to be number one. Like, it's just, it's a non negotiable. And in the mornings I do prayer even with the person that I'm, I, I'm dating. Like that's a thing. Like we pray before we eat, we pray before, you know, we just spoke at, we did an event together. It's like we like had God all over it. Like, it's just, it's in the little, littleness of our day, right? It's just what we do in the fabric of our lives. And it's also, it's music we play, it's, it's the books we read, it's the conversations we have. And you know, I'm also trying to learn scripture and just, just get better every day. 1% better.

I actually have chills right now based on what you're talking about because I was, I, I, my morning routine is I take my dog on a walk and I Pray while I'm doing it. And I actually. People must think I'm crazy because I talk out loud like I God. But one of the things that came up for me this morning was, you know, Justin and I got married back in February. And like you, I come from a very, very Catholic family as well, to the point where I have uncles who are priests. One of my uncles is a deacon, and we went through a marriage prep with my uncle, who's a deacon. And it was an amazing experience for. For Justin and I to just come closer in our relationship together, but also with God. But one of the things that he said that I have not forgotten is that prayer is constant. You're constantly in prayer. It's in everything that you do, because ultimately God is right there with you. And that's exactly what you're saying, right? You're like, it's. It is woven into. It's woven into not only the big events of life, like, you know, the, the talk that you and your boyfriend did together, but also in the little moments like when you're about to speak. Right?

Yes. Yeah, that's. That's so beautiful. And I find it's like, you know, we talk about like affirmations and declarations and manifestation, and it's like the real power is talking to God all day long. Like, that's your superpower. Like, we just forget. It doesn't have to be this like, official thing, you know, all. And it's just it. I love it. I walk, I walk my dog in the morning too. And same thing is like, you know, it's so great.

We were, we were insured probably, I don't know, probably maybe two months ago. And we go to VU here in Miami. Rich Wilkerson is, is our pastor and just spiritual mentor for, for us. And he was talking about how you, you literally make everything a cause for prayer. It's. Hey, we're stopping, we're dropping, we're stopping at a red light. Somebody pray or hey, we're dropping the kids off at school. Pray before you get out or we're about to watch tv. Great. Let's say a quick prayer. Like these little things that make it purposeful because we focus so much on the grandiose things that happen in our life. The big moments, the big decisions, the big conversations that we have to have. But yet, just like anything, it comes down to the little details. It comes down to the little minute decisions, the day to day decisions, the day to day conversations, the day to day focuses that we do or do not have. That ultimately yield where we're going in the macro in those big spaces. And I think what you said was so key is, and I like, your diet is not just what you eat. Your diet is what you listen to, who you're around, the people you have, the podcast you listen to, the music you listen to, the magazines you read, the books you read. All of these things consist of that. And it comes back to those little decisions that come in, day in and day out as to how it impacts you at a deeper level. And you've just been so diligent and obedient to that. And, and I want to honor you for that because now you're being rewarded for it in a major way.

Yeah, that. Thank you so much. I, I, when I'm coaching people, I always say, like, if you can't do it in the small places, like, I coach a lot of people. They want to be on the big stage, they want to be a speaker. They want. And I'm like, if you can't serve and speak from your heart to five people, to two people, why on earth is God going to promote you to a stage of 10,000? You know, and it's just like what, like I always say, like, your stage is everywhere you go in life, right? And it's like you're so spot on. It's like the micro little details, the shaping, the refining, the getting better, the staying diligent, like, all that adds up, all of it does so much. And it's just like we live in a. I always say we live in a microwave society. Like, it's like people want it now, right? And it's like, no, this, this Emily took a long time, right? Like, we had to like, slow cook this thing.

And, and here's the funny thing though, Emily is you're gonna look back on Emily today, in a year from now, in two years from now, in three years from now, and you're going to say the same thing. Oh, my goodness, Emily, then she is so much different than today because you're continually staying focused on those little minute details, those little unique things that continue to speak to you. And when you're connected, and you mentioned it at the very beginning, you're light, but you're just connected to the truth. You're connected to these God whispers. You're connected to this inner calling that's keeping you curious, that's keeping you in a space that wants you to keep learning, keep asking questions, keep navigating so that you can ultimately realize the potential that's there. And it is it is massive. And listeners out there, you guys each have this on your life, you each have a calling, you each have a gifting that you're meant to lean into in a massive way. It's just, are you willing to listen to it? Are you willing to open up and surrender to what's happening in your life and be able to go from. We've all have these little earbuds right where you put them in and they're like sound canceling.

And.

But on your phone you can make them like non sound counseling. So you can put them in and you can still hear things, but then you hit a button and all of a sudden you can't hear anything. And that's what you've been able to do is you've been able to sound cancel everything around you and just listen to that direction that God's given you. And by doing so and being obedient to that, you've been rewarded for that. And so listeners out there, that exists as well. That is there. And that's a practice, that's a practice through daily disciplines, that's a practice through daily details that you can lean into small decisions. And when we do good with the small, we do good with the little. The little becomes big. And it's so true.

Yeah. And, and the thing is like when you're listening to the whispers, it's not always like the whispers, like oh gosh, this is gonna be fun, go do it. No, I'm talking like scary stuff, scary conversations. Like what have been some of those.

Scary conversations for you?

Initially it was standing in front of a room with, with a microphone and I was 23, 24 years old and like there's 40 year olds, 50 year olds, there's bankers and, and people that make a lot of money and I could barely pay rent and it was like my hand was like shaking, grabbing the microphone, but it was like I knew that I had to do it to grow. And, and every single day of my life I try to do something that me a little bit. And, and it's like just being obedient to that because that stretches you. And then you know, that's, that's how we become excellent at anything. So I think sometimes people think like, if it's not like yay, it's easy, it must not be the calling on my life or it must not be my zone of genius. But like if you really listen, you know that thing that you should be doing, but you're not doing it. And a lot of times it's because we're selfish. Like, we're so selfish. And so I suffer. We don't want to suffer. You're spot on. So it's like, I'm like, how can I be more selfless? And like, I'll go first for somebody else. Like, that's just the mindset I've had. I'm like, oh my gosh, this is like freaky. But like, I'll do it. I'll do it for somebody else.

I hate it. I hate it, but I'll do it.

Exactly. Yeah.

So one of the things we talk about quite often on the podcast and you know, within our own method is understanding your purpose or your calling and, you know, you're somebody and, and you, in order to live in what we call ownership, you have to have, you have to know that and you have to know it intimately. So what is your purpose and how did you come to know it?

It's been an evolutionary process through trial, through error, through like, you know, initially when I started building the business, it, my little 23 year old brain was like, I just want to be my own boss and not have someone else tell me when I can go to the bath. Like, that truly was my thought. But as I evolved and really like, have paid attention, there was a period where it's like, I don't really need to work much anymore. So much. And it's just like we live in a. I always say we live in a microwave system now, right? And it's like, no, this, this Emily took a long time, right? Like we had to like slow cook this thing.

And here's the funny thing though, Emily is you're going to look back on Emily today, in a year from now, in two years from now, in three years from now, and you're going to say the same thing. Oh my goodness, Emily then, she is so much different than today because you're continually staying focused on those little minute details, those little unique things that continue to speak to you. And when you're connected, and you mentioned it at the very beginning, you're light, but you're just connected to the truth. You're connected to these God whispers. You're connected to this inner calling that's keeping you curious, that's keeping you in a space that wants you to keep learning, keep asking questions, keep navigating so that you can ultimately realize the potential that's there. And it is, it is massive. And listeners out there, you guys each have this on your life. You each have a calling, you each have a gifting that you're mentally into in a massive way. It's just are you willing to listen to it? Are you willing to open up and surrender to what's happening in your life and be able to go from. We've all had these little earbuds right where you put them in and they're like sound canceling but on your phone you can make them like non sound counseling so you can put them in and you can still hear things but then you hit a button and all of a sudden you can't hear anything. And that's what you've been able to do is you've been able to sound cancel everything around you and just listen to that direction that God's given you and by doing so and being obedient to that, you've been rewarded for that. And so listeners out there, that exists as well. That is there and that's a practice. That's a practice through daily disciplines. That's a practice through daily details that you can lean into small decisions. And when we do good with the small, we do good with the little. The little becomes big and it's.