When Kelley Cartwright, a 26 year old native of Nassau, Bahamas, walked across the stage of the Nova Southeastern University commencement ceremony, she was doing so much more than receiving a degree or the license to add initials after a name. Instead, Kelley (now Dr. Kelley Cartwright, DPT) was merely taking another series of steps in the faith walk that led her to this stage and to this moment. Three years prior, with barely enough money to cover living expenses for 3 months, Kelley began the physical therapy doctorate program at NSU. Having hardly any money is the typical identifier of a college student; however, Kelley literally had no money: no money for tuition, no money for books, no money for scrubs...no money! So here she is: an international student, far away from home, with three years of school to go and no idea how the first semester would get paid--let alone the last! I love God's humor. I love how sometimes He sets us in the middle of the ocean with crashing waves all around and asks for one thing: "Trust me. Just trust me." Kelley, in the midst of intense studies, examinations, culture shock and life adjustments, had to do just that: trust God. Each semester put her faith to the test. Would she crumble under the worry of not knowing how her school fees would be paid? Or would she trust that God would provide? She chose the latter.
When you have no money and no means, it literally feels like you are placing your entire life in God's hands and saying, "Here Lord. I can't worry about this. I can't worry about tomorrow or even today. Here's my life. Lead me. Direct me. Guide me. Keep me." It's a scary place to be in life but also full of such peace. Periods of total dependency on God deepen the faith in ways prosperity never can. Through her experiences, Kelley learned that scripture is not only to be read and memorized, but lived. During her tenure at university, she clung to verses like Mark 11:24 which reads: "When you pray and ask God for something, believe that you have already received it, and you will be given what you asked for." The all so popular Romans 8:28 was also a promise she clung to and an evident reminder that God would not abandon her nor forsake her; instead, all things would work together for her good.
Kelley's faith walk consisted of paths that stretched through the wilderness (final exams, all night study sessions) and lush gardens full of beautiful flowers (friends, loved ones, godly connections) and sometimes weeds (failed grades, trials). There was sunshine and there was rain, but through the grace of God (and I do mean that literally) she was able to make it through. Many of us begin journeys that require strong faith--journeys that will never culminate in a tangible reward like Kelley's did. Some of us will never be a doctor of anything, yet God still requires our complete trust. Maybe complete trust in God comes at the time of a life shattering loss and not a gain. You may have lost a close friend or family member and don't know how you will make it to another minute, let alone day. But God. You may be homeless with only a cracked phone in your blistered hands trying to gather inspiration to "do this God thing" and make it through another night. Right there, right here...is God. You may have faced a miscarriage and were forced to put a part of yourself into a tiny, wooden box as tears streamed down your face while also needing to cling to God with all your strength. In each of these circumstances we need to say but one thing, "Yes God." A "yes' to God means you will obey. It means you will listen to the still, small voice within you and follow His leading even if you don't know how you will fund the journey nor how long the struggle may be. Kelley walked away from this 3-year long test debt free, full of a faith worth a million mustard seeds and as the proud and smiling Dr. Kelley Cartwright (the very first of her family!). That was her reward after not even being able to pay for scrubs for clinicals or textbooks for class. You can't tell me (or Kelley!) that God is not real!
"For we walk by faith, not by sight..."
2 Corinthians 5: 7
To learn more about Kelley's story, read her personal testimony here.
I am a firm believer that the greatest experiences in life happen organically. On Thursday, May 12th, Courtney, founder of the rapidly expanding hair-care brand "The Mane Choice", posted an Instagram video of the Cove Atlantis (located on Paradise Island, Bahamas). Immediately, I was thrilled that this amazing entrepreneur and former natural hair vlogger was vacationing in the Bahamas. In my excitement, I quickly commented on her video, "You should do a meetup!" I didn't think she would see it, let alone respond so I went about my day-to-day business.
A video posted by Courtney Adeleye (@courtneyadeleye) on
Well, much to my surprise Courtney did see the comment and had been pondering the idea of engaging with Bahamian women during her short stay. On Friday, she responded "You live here?" I was still at the work when I saw the comment and I got so excited about the prospect of meeting such a thriving business woman. I am a firm believer that women have so much to glean from one another. We are amazing, powerful works of God and I become so inspired by listening to women share their stories. With this excitement bursting in me, and with Courtney's permission, I began making plans for the event: gathering interest, searching for a venue, thinking of gift ideas to thank her for such an unselfish offering of her time. I had less than 24 hours to plan so I left work shortly after reading her message (it was a little over 5:30 pm) and began praying as I walked to my car: "Lord please bless this event. Please don't allow me to be put to shame. Gather the women who you want to be there, to be there." As I drove, I prayed and I felt such peace. Aside from getting Courtney to agree that we should cap the event at 20 (She is such a giver!! If the restaurant could have accommodated 100, I'm sure she would have agreed.), the planning went smoothly. So we have the venue, we have the girls and now I'm thinking, "Okay. This lady doesn't know us. She's on vacation. What are we all going to do?!" So I began to think of little ice breakers that would get the conversation flowing. (I'm a little socially awkward myself so I need a kick-starter to really get going.) I thought of a game that combined a few of the activities we've done at the GirlTalk sessions I've attended with Simone Gibson here in the Bahamas. [Click here for more information on GirlTalk.] I cut out little hearts (because I had no computer ink to print on squares, and it's the only shape I can cut well by hand) and wrote trivia questions on them. Unsurprisingly, I called the game "Sharing Hearts". I prayed as I thought of and wrote down each question. I wanted each question to fall into the right hands, and each question surely did.
Saturday, the day of the meetup, consisted primarily of running around: getting the agendas printed, buying candies for the table, getting gifts for our special guest. I arrived at the venue, the gorgeous One&Only Ocean Club estate, about an hour in advance and began to set up with the help of the kind staff. Once I had everything complete, I fluffed my hair, ordered a lemonade and waited for the ladies to arrive.
Slowly, the ladies started to arrive. Thankfully quite a few of the ladies knew each other so there was less work for me to do to get the conversation going as we waited for Courtney and her party to arrive. When Courtney did walk into the room, smiles instantly spread across each young lady's face. She hugged each of us individually, thanked us all for coming and took her seat along with two of her sisters, her cousin and niece. Not wanting to diminish the tone already set, I asked the ladies to introduce themselves. There were so many powerful women in the room: entrepreneurs, CPAs, established MUAs, students, and budding ministers. Each woman had a unique career path and vision and literally shined with purpose. Then, the moment we were all waiting for, Courtney began sharing her story, her hair-care journey and the launch of her brand. As you can see from the photos, everyone was attentive. It's not every day you meet someone with a growing, constantly improving million dollar business under their belt after all.
All in all, the experience was extremely pleasant. Courtney was so transparent about her journey and her lessons in business in many respects: as a black woman, mother and wife. She shared insights into various Mane Choice products, details of upcoming products, haircare tips, social media marketing strategies and so much more. More so than what she shared, which I thought was amazing, was that she listened. Each woman received her attention and respect. She never once came across as feeling better than any other woman in the room. We were all equals: sometimes gleaning, sometimes teaching. I think that is what truly made the time spent just a few teaspoons short of perfect.
As someone who has never tried Mane Choice products, would I try them now after meeting the face (no faces!) behind the brand? Most definitely! In fact,in less then 24 hours post-meetup I ordered 3 of her products online. There were quite a few women in the room who swore by her products and two who locally retailed her goods. With first hand reviews and the creator right there not just telling you, but showing you who she was and what she stood for, what else do you really need to rally behind a brand?
I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday. I am so happy I shook my nerves and asked for a meetup. I'm so happy I didn't cave when she showed interest but instead pulled the initiative out of me to get the job done. The event was small, and planned in a hurry but I learned so much about myself:
1. I love being in the background.
2. I love connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from their experiences.
3. I love to see people succeed, share their triumphs and failures and simply be their true selves.
4. I actually enjoy event planning and would like to cultivate the skill a bit more.
5. I thrive in sessions that promote intimacy, and mutual respect.
What did I learn about Courtney?
1. She is fiercely beautiful and her hair is gorgeous.
2. She is knowledgeable about hair-care and styling techniques.
3. She firmly stands behind her products and is interested in so much more than the bottom line.
4. She is caring, compassionate and a true giver.
5. Her flaw is that she loves to please people and hates saying no (which isn't even a flaw at all--it's sweet and a testament that she allows God to use her as a vessel).
6. As a trained nurse, she's interested in the science behind her products (down to each ingredient).
7. Sometimes she fails quite a few times before she gets a product or idea right.
9. She is extremely family oriented. (How else could I describe someone who takes two of her sisters, her cousin and niece on a quick vacation to the Bahamas?!)
10. She cares about her brand representation so much that she truly enjoys meeting a room full of strangers who support either her or her brand (even if not both--although she sure will convince you why you should).
A photo posted by Courtney Adeleye (@courtneyadeleye) on
I encourage all of my readers to keep dreaming, to never give up on themselves, to launch themselves into that idea or the calling they know the Lord has put on their life and, finally, to support faith-based businesses like those of Courtney Adeleye's.
We are but many beads in God's necklace; connected to adorn and to beautify.
May you take comfort in knowing you are not forgotten by God and that your purpose goes beyond you.
Truly,
Zemi Holland
Nassau, Bahamas
For more information about The Mane Choice brand and products, please consult their website and social media all of which shall be listed below.
