“All Things Come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine own have we given Thee”
In 2018, I dropped out of college, jobless as no one would employ a degree-less applicant, and lived under my parent’s mercy for daily allowance and lodging. I didn’t know what to do next. Many days were filled with prayers with my community. Other days were ‘wasted’ on doing nothing.
One day, I got an email to apply as a delegate to the UN. I had nothing to lose, I needed to explore career pathways and meet new people. I convinced my dad to pay for my flight ticket and he relented. Though I slept from couch to couch (I’m not kidding), It was a trip that gave me a new life trajectory.
He gave the vision.
During the trip to LA and NYC, I was prayed for and mentored by many people—from the founder of the Giving Key and Nomi Network to my college professors. The conversations unveiled my passion and the opportunity of where I was placed in. I caught the vision but still needed Higher guidance.
In the confusing moments of figuring the business name and mission, God spoke through dreams. For 2 consecutive days, I woke up with a strongly impressed word, “Liberate” and the verse John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (A verse that has shaped our organizational culture and process). So it came to be, Liberty society, a fashion social enterprise with the mission of giving purpose, and dignity to jobless women, empowering them through tailoring training and a community of support, to create meaningful products customers can wear proudly.
Then He gave the provision.
Funding? Advisory board? Production partner? First launch?
Having zero business training, I didn’t know where to start. I asked that God would send people along the way. I prayed and then do the next thing. I started reaching out. I remember meeting a Forbes 30u30 fashion powerhouse (that now I cherish as a big sister), and she asked me ‘Have you done your business market research?’. I didn’t even know then, what she meant.
God’s provision came in the form of people who believed in us, business pitches to sharks, and many many open doors to well-known industry experts. Oh, if I can just tell you how miraculous my encounter with all the people in my team..
God put all the puzzle pieces together.
The Journey was a lot of trial and errors. Many days we hustled, many days we failed. The learning curve was so steep as I had to learn not just business, but design, supply chain, and digital marketing.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
- Ephesians 2:9
Discouraged? Yes, but God kept reminding me that if God was the one who granted me in the race, my weakness will never disqualify me. So, I kept doing the next thing. 1 year into the journey of following God’s dream…
What had started as a walk in the park became a sprint.
Angel investment and accelerator program came in, we needed bigger and better wheels. God brought more people (dear friends and older mentors) who gave us more opportunities across Asia.
Now, the sprint has become a marathon.
The God-dream kept growing. I knew I needed to quit my other job to be faithful in this venture. It sounds silly to quit a good double-digit job in the midst of a pandemic. God gave the assurance. Early AM the same day I submitted my resignation letter, Liberty’s Singapore mentor called and offered funding. Do you see how ‘the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing’ (Ps 34:10).
In the most timely manner, on our one-year anniversary, Liberty is featured on a National Print News— another assurance that what God dream in our heart, He will bring to fruition.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
My story is not about how smart I was to catch God’s dream, but about resting in His grace, trusting His leading, and persevering in doing the next thing.
Was it a coincidence that since childhood I always stand for women empowerment and now 90% of my team are marginalized female groups?
Was it a coincidence I was entrusted to lead a nonprofit for 7 years that taught me about leadership, fundraising, and people management before God led me to a startup with 7 team members and 20 tailors?
He indeed has formed me and knew me (Jer 1:5), as all my gifting and passions came together perfectly for His God-dream.
If you’re not there yet, trust that this temporary season God puts you in, will teach you a lesson necessary for the journey. Very often we miss what God wants to show us because we don’t take time to pray and watch. Be patient, persevere, and follow His pace..that you and I may say “I have been guided by the Lord” (Gen 24:27).
(P.s. I deeply thank everyone who has been a part of our journey)
All my prayers,
Tam
