God Said to Start a Business After a Layoff w/ Bob & Linda Lotich

Speaker A: Today on the show I have financial experts Bob and Linda Lodic. Through their award winning blog, seedtime.com and seedtime money podcast, they've been using biblical principles to help millions of people discover financial freedom. And I am so excited to have them on the show here today.

Speaker B: Hey friends, welcome to the Jolie Harris Show. Let's dive into today's episode.

Speaker A: As we're diving in. One of the things that really stands out in what God has done in your life is how transparent um, you both have been about your journey and about how God has been working in your life. And in your book, you have a book, Simple Money Rich Life, which my husband and I both love. Um, and you talk about that journey. So for our listeners who have not read the book yet, can you uh, share a little bit about that story and those humble, humble beginnings and how God, um, you know, brought you into what you have today in your business?

Speaker C: Yeah, yeah. I mean there's a lot to unpack and I'm happy to go anywhere you want to go, direction wise. But long, ah, story short, we were both a mess financially. Um, we weren't, you know, born with a silver spoon and um, and we had aspirations from really when we were dating, uh, of giving away lots of money. Like the Lord just put it on our heart that this was something we were going to do. But at the time our reality was that we were both just like super broken. And uh, and so that's a very interesting place to be where you have this desire in your heart that seems completely impossible and yet your circumstances, you know, because your circumstances, it makes it seem like there's no way this could ever happen. And what's beautiful about that is that it has to be God. And so God's only wanting to get glory in it. And uh, anyway, and so from those early days when we were both super broke, um, you know, I think it was kind of out of that season that I, I was in a dead end job that was really struggling with and really um, feeling discouraged by and feeling like I'm never going to get ahead and I'm stuck. And I have all these gifts that I think God's put inside of me but I'm not utilizing and um, being passed over promotions and all that stuff. Anybody's ever been there just knows how difficult that can be. And in the midst of that like I was dreaming of starting a business. So much so that I remember people would ask me all the time because I'd talk about it all the time and people would be like what kind of business you want to start?

Speaker D: And he'd say, I don't know.

Speaker C: I don't. I don't care. I just want to run a business. I just want to be running a business, you know? And, um, so I had years of that, um, in. In really wanting to. Till finally, uh, in some sort of, um, divine, serendipitous thing, I ended up getting laid off during the financial crisis of 2008. Uh, and in that, the Lord kind of kicked me out of the boat and said, all right, now start the business. In fact is, I had already started the business, which was a blog you're talking about, and I had started that, and it was just kind of like a hobby thing on the side. And I, after getting laid off, went to go look for another job and sense the Lord be like, nope. And I'm like, well, what do I do if I'm not looking for a job? That feels like a good idea. Get laid off to go look for a job. And. And so anyway, so I didn't look for a job, and I realized I. He wanted me to work on my blog full time, you know, at that point. And, um, anyway, so I'll just pause there. But that's kind of where we started and kind of where we got to that point of the seed of our business.

Speaker A: Yeah. And that had to be tough because I think in the book you mentioned at one point you were making, like, what, like two bucks an hour when you were, uh, figured out how much was coming in and all the time that you were putting into it. So it's. It's not like this overnight thing that sometimes what, uh, we see on the Internet, right, we think like, oh, it just takes 30 days, and you're up, um, and running and making millions. Right.

Speaker C: Millionaire. Boom.

Speaker A: Can you both speak to that a little bit? Like, when you're kind of in those trenches of just following what God put in your heart, but you're facing that financial struggle at the same time and having to trust him. Um, you know, what got you through, and what are some tips to help out other people who find themselves in that situation?

Speaker D: Yeah, Uh, I think there's a few things to note here. So the first thing is that I had a job. However, it was minimum wage, so, uh, it was not enough to cover our bills. So there was a little bit like, okay, well, Linda had a job, so that's good. But it was like, well, kind of. Um, but one of the things that we did was actually it was a blessing from the Lord for us. In this particular situation, Bob was getting laid off, so he knew it was coming. Okay. So that gave us a little bit of time to prepare and to get ready for it.

Speaker C: Um, yeah, it wasn't like an overnight, you're gone tomorrow.

Speaker D: I think it was like eight months.

Speaker C: Six or eight months. Like, heads up, we're being bought by this other company. So. So yeah, there's a good Runway there.

Speaker D: So, yeah, that's, that's not everyone's situation, but this is what happened for us. And so we took that time and got really serious. So we were already living on a really tight budget and we tightened it even further to try and get prepared.

Speaker C: Yeah, just soften the blow, right?

Speaker D: You know, so, um, as we are talking about this, he, you know, he comes home, he tells me, I just got laid off today. Like I have to stay till the end of June, but it, it's happening. Like this is happening. I'm, I'm out of a job come June. And so we started talking about it and praying about it. And you know, one of the things that I think Bob did really well, which I, uh, I think it's very easy for a lot of people to think that it's very irresponsible to just be like, well, I'm just gonna, you know, start my blog. Nobody's making money with blogs, but I'm just gonna do it, you know.

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Speaker D: And the truth of the matter is, is we, one, prepared, we were able to prepare. And two, Bob kind of had a backup plan. So. Which was really helpful in me feeling comfortable with this because I, I think we both felt like there was this leading from the Lord to go this direction. But what's really unsettling is when you think you're going to get evicted or your car is going to get repossessed or, you know, and we didn't even have kids at the time, so if you throw kids into this mix, like there's so much uncertainty and what really, what we did practically, that really helped Was Bob was like, if this doesn't work, if by a certain point we cannot live, I will go to Starbucks and work. Which was really close to our house. And they offer I think like health insurance and you know, had. Had different benefits, at least at the time they did. And uh, there were several different places that were within walking distance from our house that he could go and get a job at. So I mean it was kind of like a worst case scenario happens. This is the plan. It wasn't like a, uh, well, let's just, you know, let's just go for it and have, have nothing else. But while that was going on, we were extremely intentional about praying for this situation. So, so there was the, the practical side of what we could do of like, how are we going to handle this if it doesn't work out? While also praying and believing God for what does he have for us down the road and what will this look like and Lord, you're our provider. Kind of getting our eyes back on him instead of our job being the source of our income, you know. So there was a lot of intentionality I think on both sides where it wasn't just like, oh yeah, that sounds like a fun idea, let's do that.

Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, and really what that looked like practically is we built out a list of scriptures that we were standing on and we're just praying over them day in and day out, just continuing to speak the word over our financial life. Um, and you know, doing what we can do in our own strength, but inviting God into that, standing on his word and his promises and using that combination. Um, which is, yeah, we talk about in our book all the time. That's one of the unique things that I think when we talk about money that is different from really a lot of financial experts at all, but especially um, non believing ones, but even some Christian ones where it's like the power is in the combination of us doing our part and then uh, allowing God to do his. And so often we're trying to do God's part but not doing our part. And it's like we have to both stay in our lanes and allow him to do his part and allow and have us do ours, you know?

Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, I love that. I think what stands out from your story is that you had a spiritual perspective and a practical perspective. And I think sometimes as believers we can get hung up on the spiritual side and feel like we're almost doing something wrong by being practical. Right. By planning or having a plan B. And that's something God has had to teach my husband and I over time is not to over spiritualize things. Like, we might have heard something from the Lord, but then you have to use the brain he gave you to think critically about how to execute it. Right. So I love kind, um, of what you shared about, you know, preparing. So as far as, um, people who find themselves in that situation, maybe they're right now right. God has spoken to them about starting a new venture and stepping out on faith or, um, what are some things kind of like a, you know, step one, step two, what, what would you say that they should walk through as far as being prepared?

Speaker C: Yeah, that's good. I mean, I think it depends on your marital dynamic, assuming you're married. If, um, you're not, it's a different story. But if you are, like, part of that planning was for her benefit because I knew that that would make her more comfortable with this crazy bold thing that we were doing. And just for a little more context at the time, I got laid off in June that month and stepped out to become a full time blogger. Um, I had been working on my blog for nearly a year and I was making $100 per month, per month on it. So it was a insane step of faith. Like, and it's one of those things where it's like, I don't ever recommend that to people because I have new bloggers come up to me all the time and say, yeah, I'm going to quit my job and become a full time blogger. I'm like, well, I don't know if you should do that, you know, and if the Lord leads you to, then great. Like, I never want to dissuade anyone from that. Like, if God tells you to do that, but if it's just like, yeah, you did it, so I'm gonna do it. It's like, uh, I wouldn't.

Speaker A: Yeah, it's different when the Lord's hand is on you. There's, there's an anointing there for things to just work. Right.

Speaker C: Yeah, no, absolutely. And it's like, I could have never done this in my own strength. Like, you know, the first eight months and making a hundred dollars a month, that was my own strength. But. Right. What was amazing about our story is the, uh, it was nine months after that I was making more from the blog than my old day job. And then six months after that, it was double that. So, like, what you're saying is so true. Once God put his hand on it just took off and we got to like, sit there with Our jaws on the floor, like, watching what he was doing.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker C: But anyway, so back to your original question. In terms of planning and preparing, I think, uh, you know, because I think a lot of times there's entrepreneurs and business owners, and we just. We're so focused on the business and focus on. Want to generate revenue that we're just not actually doing any of the practical stuff of managing and stewarding wisely. Because that's just a pattern I've noticed with a lot of entrepreneurs. And so that's really important component to do to. To apply that wisdom to what we're doing. I think, especially in this situation where you're stepping out into a new venture, um, you're taking an element of risk, but the best thing you can do is minimize that risk by paying off as much debt as you can by building up a savings. And like, these things are common sense, but it's surprises me how often they get overlooked just by either. I'm just gonna do this in faith, and I'm not even gonna think about my finances, you know, and it's like, yeah, um, yeah. And that's not, uh. I don't know. That's just my favorite approach for handling it. So.

Speaker A: And you two work together. So what, uh, what is that like, working together in life and marriage and kids and all the things. And then also in business, what, has

Speaker C: fist fights every day rolling around the floor?

Speaker D: No, it's really funny because when Bob and I got married, I remember he. He is extremely ambitious. Like, he wants every single hobby there is. He wants to do everything. And, uh, I remember as we were. When we were dating, he'd be like, I want to become a pilot. I want to become a chef. I want. I mean, it was like all over the place. I was like, dude. And I looked at him and I was like, where do I fit into all of this? Because I would actually like to just hang out, like, house. Uh, and so it's been really interesting because I think a lot of people are like, how do you guys work together? And I'm like, this. I. I don't know if it's just my personality or whatever, but, like, it is. This is my dream come true. Like, I just want to ha out with my husband. Um, not everyone has that same dynamic, but I think we, for the most part, get along pretty well.

Speaker C: No? Yeah, we get along well. It's a little bit unique to us, but, um. But it's been. It hasn't been a particularly difficult challenge for us working together. And I know plenty of People who. That is a big deal. And so, like, I don't have much advice because it's just one of those things that's just kind of not been that difficult for us.

Speaker A: Yeah, totally. A God thing.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker A: That's awesome. And when you both came into this, you did you really know much about business or was this business world like a new territory for you?

Speaker D: Uh, Bob is definitely the business guy and he started the business on his own. And then I sort of like, he.

Speaker C: No, he weaseled away in a few years ago.

Speaker D: He forced me in, um, about five years ago, to which I was like, I, this is not my thing. And it's really interesting how God has changed it so that it is my thing. But as far as like, really running a business, I would say that's more you.

Speaker C: Yeah, I went to business school, but I tell people all the time, you know, spent $35,000 my business degree. But the.

Speaker D: I would say steal these days.

Speaker C: I know I would say the 10 to 20 business books I read after I graduated yielded so much more fruit than the degree itself. Like, you know, and I went to a, whatever decent business school. But the point is, is that so much of it is being taught by professors who don't actually run businesses. And it's all theory and textbook versus reading books from people who have built million dollar companies. And the exact things they're doing right now, like, that just goes so much further, you know, and you know, like, all this stuff is changing so fast, Joe. It's like everything one year to the next. And so anyway, I, I am a firm believer that you can spend a hundred dollars and buy some used books and have a far better education than a lot of business schools, um, at this point, you know, so, yeah, I'm

Speaker A: curious is, has there been any wisdom straight from scripture that has opened your eyes to things in the business that maybe you're like, whoa, I can't believe that was in the Bible.

Speaker C: Yeah, no, a whole bunch of times, like, I'm trying to think if any examples come to mind.

Speaker D: Well, I just read something the other day that really out to me and I haven't fully unpacked it, but I mean, I think this is something good to ponder. Um, because I feel like the culture is so girl boss and you gotta hustle and hustle some more and drum everything up and be ruthless and, you know, all that stuff. And it was in the Beatitudes. I was reading the Beatitudes, which is like, you know, you've. We've read these since we Were like little kids. You know, I was in Sunday school and all that stuff. But it said, I think I've heard it said, the meek shall inherit the earth. But the translation I was reading said the gentle M shall inherit the earth. And I thought that was fascinating, that it was extremely counterculture. That is actually gentleness. That uh, is the thing that you, which will give you the world, like, uh, that's what everybody wants, is like you gotta hustle so that you can have all this stuff. And God is saying, actually no, in your gentleness, that's when you will inherit the earth. I mean I just, yeah, that, that was super impactful for me. And how can we take that into our business? Like that, that was the thing that I was thinking of. It's like, what does this mean for us and how do we bring gentleness to the people we are serving? Rather than, let's just try and get more people to buy our courses or to buy our book or whatever. Like, well, how can we actually just serve in gentleness and see what happens with that?

Speaker C: Yeah, yeah. And one other thing I would add too that I think has really been a radical countercultural thing that we have bought into from scripture is the idea of rest and Sabbath and sabbaticals. And so we have for the last 11 years, um, taking a one month sabbatical each year, step away from our business, turn off email, whatever. And I remember honestly Joe, the first time I, I took one week, God, this is probably 12 years ago, God called me to take a week off and I was panicked. I'm like, one week, no email, like I'm my business gonna be gone when I get back. I was terrified. And then the next year he asked me to do a month and I was so nervous and just had no idea what was going to happen. And anyway, but that pattern, that rhythm has been so defining for our business and the amount of ideas I've generated over that time, not to mention like just the healthy balance, uh, in the clear direction from God and where to go. Like, I, I mean I feel like that is an absolute requirement as a Christian entrepreneur, Christian business owner. Like that should be part of our M.O. and how we do everything is regular rest. Um, it's been so life changing for our business. Yeah, that, yeah. Anyway, and that's straight from scripture. And that's the opposite of what Kevin Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank would say. He literally, he literally had a quote where he said, working 24 hours a day is no longer enough anymore. You have to be willing to give up Your family, your friends, like everything in order to succeed. And I'm like, I could not disagree more.

Speaker D: Well, and resting the right way, I mean, I think that's what's been really eye opening for us is most people are like, uh, well, if you rest, that means you go on vacation. And vacation is actually not rest. Because have you ever gone on a vacation and come home and been like, I'm exhausted. I need a vacation for my vacation.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker A: Uh, especially if you have kids.

Speaker D: Yeah, especially if you have kids. The reason is because if you read the Bible, what it says, we all know the scripture, come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. He doesn't say, take a nap. The Word doesn't say go on vacation and go sit on the beach. It says, come to me. And that is the thing that I think for a long time I got wrong is that I thought rest was taking a nap or going on a vacation. And it's not. It can bring some rest to you. But the main way that we can get our rest is just by going to the Lord. That's where we get it.

Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. I think that's a really important point to drive home that we do need time away from our business to rest our brain in Christ and get filled up with the Word again, because if not, we're just going to burn out.