Walk on Water, Part II

Let's continue our interview with Roxane from last time. Roxane shared with us how she started her business in Walk on Water, Part I.

Meredith: I love that you call your employees, associates. This title conveys respect and appreciation. What can you recommend to other business owners about getting along with your associates?

Roxane: We follow the Golden Rule and treat our associates with great respect. They represent Walk on Water, being the front line of who the customer sees. I love my team! I have them to my home for a huge Christmas party every year where they are honored, given gifts, and acknowledged in front of each other for the wonderful gifts and talents they have. They bring their husbands. We have a wonderful time of dinner and fellowship together. My advise is to treat your employees with respect and love. Remember, your roles could be reversed one day, so treat them the way you would want to be treated.

Meredith: Your store is generous in donating to charities. Why do you do what you do? What fruit have you seen from this?

Roxane: We know that the store is the Lord's store and everything in it is His. We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.

There are 2,300 verses in the Bible about money. After taking the Crown Ministries and the Business Affinity course, I am well versed on the fact that everything we have is the Lord's and we are here to glorify Him, serve Him, tell the world about Jesus, and make disciples. He has blessed us greatly, giving us amazing opportunities to help many organizations.

When the earthquake hit Haiti, we immediately prayed about giving the Lord a percentage of our January earnings. We had a record January. I can tell you story after story of similar cases.

The Lord directs our path with the various needs in the community and He blesses our efforts. We started an annual run in August for Safehouse of Seminole. Our first year we had over 200 participants. This year year we will have the same run on August 7. I know the Lord will bring over 300 participants. All the money goes to help those women and children in the most difficult of circumstances. To be given the opportunity to have a business that is the Lord's and to do these types of events is what drives our business.

Meredith: You were able to expand from one store to two stores. How did this come about? What were the challenges?

Roxane: We prayed about expanding the business and God opened up the Winter Park opportunity. My husband made the decision after intense prayer and godly counsel.

We decided to keep the store small and sell only women's items. This would help us with our buying power, customer requests, and, most importantly, bringing our vision to another community.

The challenges are great because I can't be in 2 locations at once. I have my priorities of God first, husband second, child third, church fourth, and, then, work. I follow these principles. Because I can't spend as much time in Winter Park, I have additional challenges, yet God continues to bless us and we work through these challenges.

Having a second location, though, does split all our expenses in half to help us be more profitable. So, we have more to give to the Kingdom.

Meredith: How do you manage two stores, take care of your family, teach classes at the YMCA, stay involved in your church, and do everything else you do?

Roxane: "Only one life will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last!" The Lord has brought me out of the pit and turned my life around! I owe Him everything!

He has given me gifts that are to glorify Him. I have a wonderful husband, a wonderful team at Walk on Water, and wonderful people in my life who support me so I can use the gifts God has given me. As long as I keep my priorities in check, God gives me the energy and ability to serve Him in all these ways.

He created me with a lot of energy as I have always been involved in many things. I pray to use this energy to glorify Him in all parts of my life and am so grateful for what He has done for me on the cross that I want to use every waking moment that I can to do what He has for me to do. 

I plan for time away and breaks to refresh and be still--this also energizes me. My Bible study and fellowship with sisters in Christ is such a refresher and energizer as well. My husband and son are with me, travel with me to shows, and help me at the stores. Even though my husband works full time as a financial planner, he also handles all our business finances and finds time to coach my son in his sports endeavors. I could never do this without the Lord, my precious family, my church family and friends, and my amazing team at the store.

Meredith: Roxane, what final wisdom can you leave us with?

Roxane: Follow what God's plan and purpose is for your life using the gifts and talents He has given you. Never let the world tell you that you can't be do something the Lord puts on your heart. Knowing His Word and having a personal relationship with Him is the most important thing in our lives. Give Him first place and it is amazing what He can do through you. The highest calling we have is being God's children, wives, and moms. There is no higher call or privilege!

Meredith: Thank you, so much. May God bless you, your family, and your business in every way! Thank you for being such an inspiration to me!