Welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast where faith meets entrepreneurship. Each episode, we uncover the strategies, stories, and spirit-led insights that help Christian business owners align their goals with God’s call. From practical tips to real-life testimonies, we explore what it takes to build a business that honours Christ, serves others, and impacts the Kingdom.

Get to know Valerie Pugsley

Valerie helps growth-minded entrepreneurs gain confidence, clarity, focus and momentum. she helps them navigate self- sabotage, which often looks like procrastination,  perfectionism and overwhelmed with grace and curiosity.

She helps clients see the mental pieces that are getting in their way, look at it from a different perspective, and develop strategies customized for each client. She uses her 20 years of experience as a teacher to see through what keeps clients stuck and enables
them to see the next best step.

In this episode of the Christian Business Growth Podcast, host Lyle Leads talks with Valerie Pugsley, a Christian mindset coach who helps entrepreneurs overcome self-doubt, scarcity thinking, and the “not enough” trap. Valerie shares how her entrepreneurial journey began in childhood — selling tickets to neighborhood performances — and how God led her into coaching later in life.

She opens up about the spiritual side of mindset: understanding abundance through God’s character, reframing procrastination through grace and curiosity, and partnering with the Holy Spirit in every business decision. This conversation is a reminder that renewing your mind isn’t just biblical — it’s a business strategy rooted in trust, creativity, and divine direction.

“The thing holding us back isn’t knowing how to do a Facebook ad — it’s what’s happening in our minds.”

“We serve the Creator of the universe, who has abundance! So why do we operate out of scarcity?”

“Instead of beating ourselves up, we should give ourselves grace — and then get curious.”

“Prayer is not ‘just’ anything. It’s the most powerful thing you can do.”

Lyle Leads: Welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast! Today, I’m joined by mindset coach Valerie Pugsley. Valerie, what made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

Valerie Pugsley: You know, my entrepreneurial journey actually started in childhood. My stepsisters and I used to organize little plays in our neighborhood. We’d sell tickets — maybe a nickel or a quarter — and perform for the neighbors on picnic benches.

That spirit of creating something and sharing it never really left me. Later, after homeschooling my two daughters, I found myself asking, “What’s next?” That’s when God led me into entrepreneurship — this time, as a coach helping others find clarity and freedom.

Lyle Leads: I know you started out in marketing, but now you focus on mindset. What led to that shift?

Valerie Pugsley: I realized the real battle wasn’t about algorithms or social media strategies — it was what was going on in people’s heads. I had to face my own limiting beliefs and self-doubt. That’s when I understood: mindset is the core issue.

Lyle Leads: What’s one mindset challenge you see most often in Christian entrepreneurs?

Valerie Pugsley: I call it the “enoughness” issue. I don’t have enough time. I’m not smart enough. I don’t have enough money. It’s scarcity thinking — but as believers, we serve a God of abundance! Romans 12:2 reminds us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we change the story we’re telling ourselves, we change the direction of our business.

Lyle Leads: I love that — especially that abundance starts with God, not the universe.

Valerie Pugsley: Exactly. So many people talk about “universal laws,” but those are really biblical truths in disguise. God created principles that govern how the world works. The problem is, people start worshipping the creation instead of the Creator.

When we align our thoughts and decisions with God — the true Source — everything changes.

Lyle Leads: How has God guided your decisions as you’ve grown your business?

Valerie Pugsley: I’ve learned to truly trust the Holy Spirit’s leading — not through rigid routines, but through relationship.

If I’m praying, in the Word, and in fellowship, I can trust the ideas that come — those creative nudges — as guidance. And if I make a wrong move, I know God will redirect me. He’s not punishing me; He’s growing me.

When something doesn’t work, instead of self-criticism, I look at the facts, ask what I can learn, and let God renew my thinking.

 Lyle Leads: That perspective on grace is powerful. Tell us more about that.

Valerie Pugsley: I talk a lot about grace and curiosity. Take procrastination — most people see it as laziness, but it’s actually a message. Your brain is saying, “Something here feels unsafe.”

Instead of beating yourself up, pause. Give yourself grace. Then get curious: What’s behind this? Fear? Perfectionism? An old story?

And pray through it. I often ask, “Lord, help me reframe this,” and He gives me new words and a renewed perspective.

 Lyle Leads: I often ask, “Would you talk to someone else the way you talk to yourself?” But I think I’ll update that to: Would God talk to you that way?

Valerie Pugsley: Yes! Many people project their parents’ critical voice onto God. But His voice is kind, gentle, and restorative. Renewing our minds starts with recognizing that God’s tone toward us is love, not condemnation.

Website: valcares.com

Lyle Leads:
Hello, this is Lyle. Welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast. Today I’m here with Valerie Pugsley. She’s over there. So Valerie, tell us what made you decide to be an entrepreneur?

Valerie Pugsley:
That is a good question. I had one answer when you first asked me, and then I remembered another one. Actually, I can go way back to childhood. I remember in my teens or pre-teens, I had some stepsisters and we would make shows. I would direct them and tell them what to do. After we practiced and it was good, we would go around the neighborhood, sell tickets, and do a show in a little space between the house and the garage. We’d set up picnic benches and perform our show for a nickel or a quarter.

So it goes way back, but more recently, it was when I retired from homeschooling. In other words, I graduated both my daughters from homeschooling and was figuring out what to do next. That’s when I entered into entrepreneurship later in life.

Lyle Leads:
Later in life—and so you’re doing coaching, correct? Tell us a little bit more about what you do specifically.

Valerie Pugsley:
Yeah, so I do mindset coaching. When I first started out, I was doing marketing, which I know you can relate to. Marketing changes so fast with social media and trends, and I was getting overwhelmed with all that.

I also realized I had a lot of mindset issues. I kept hearing people talk about “mindset” and thought, I think I need help with that. But I couldn’t find anyone who focused solely on mindset—it was always mixed with something else.

Eventually, I realized mindset was the big piece, the common denominator. The thing holding people back isn’t the “how-to” of Facebook ads or Pinterest—it’s the mindset, the stuff going on in the gray matter. That’s what keeps us from moving forward.

Lyle Leads:
Give me an example. What’s one mindset issue you’ve seen that really throws people off in business?

Valerie Pugsley:
There are a few, but the one I see the most—and that I’ve also experienced—is what I call “enoughness.”
It sounds like: “I don’t have enough time. I don’t have enough money. I’m not smart enough.” It’s always not enough.

But as Christians, we serve the Creator of the universe who has abundance. So why are we operating from scarcity and not enoughness instead of abundance?

A lot of those thought patterns come from long ago—things wired into our brains. Scripture tells us, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” As we change our mindset and the stories we tell ourselves, we change what moves us forward.

Lyle Leads:
That’s really good because we talk about abundance mentality in the secular world, but we don’t realize that abundance comes from God. It’s not about the universe aligning with you—it’s about you and God aligning together to move forward in your calling. That’s powerful.

Valerie Pugsley:
Exactly. A lot of people talk about “the universe,” and some of what they observe is true—it’s how God designed the universe to work. But they’re worshiping the creation instead of the Creator. They talk about “source,” but the real Source is the Creator Himself. Many of the principles people use are scriptural—they’ve just taken God out of them.

Lyle Leads:
That makes total sense. So, as you’ve grown your business—from doing neighborhood shows to coaching—how has God worked in your life and helped you make those decisions?

Valerie Pugsley:
What I’ve been learning over the last several years is to really trust the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit—not in a “churchy” way, but in a practical, daily way.

Some people have a strict routine: up at 5 AM, an hour of journaling, and so on. That’s great if it works for them, but not everyone is wired the same.

For me, if I’m praying, reading the Word, and in fellowship, then I can trust the ideas and desires that rise up. Instead of stressing over “Is this God’s will?”—I just move forward, trusting He’ll redirect me if I’m off course.

Even when things don’t go as planned, I try not to judge myself. I ask, “What do I need to learn from this, Lord?” and use that to grow. That way, I’m reprogramming my brain to align with God’s direction instead of repeating old negative loops.

Lyle Leads:
Yeah, you and I talked about self-compassion and grace. Can you expand on that a little?

Valerie Pugsley:
Yes! I talk a lot about grace and curiosity. For example, procrastination—it’s not a character flaw, it’s a signal.

Our brain’s job is to keep us safe, so we develop protection mechanisms based on past experiences. When something triggers us, the brain says, “Don’t do that—it’s dangerous,” even if it’s not.

So instead of beating ourselves up, give yourself grace for being human, and then get curious: “Why am I feeling this way? What’s really behind this?”

As Christians, we often jump to “I sinned.” Maybe—but maybe it’s just a pattern God wants to heal. So I pray and ask, “Lord, what’s the reframe here?” And He always gives me one.

Lyle Leads:
That’s so good. You mentioned something earlier when we were working on that worksheet—you said, “Would you talk to someone else the way you talk to yourself?” I’d add, “Would God talk to you that way?” He’d never call you stupid or a failure—He calls you His child. When we accept that identity, it changes how we think about ourselves and our daily struggles.

Valerie Pugsley:
That’s true—but not everyone feels that right away. People who grew up with harsh or abusive parents might assume God talks to them that way too. Even though He doesn’t, they project that image of authority onto Him, which is why mindset renewal is so important.

Lyle Leads:
Good point. So, what are some things you’re currently doing to help your business grow that might help other Christian entrepreneurs?

Valerie Pugsley:
Being open to partnerships is a big one—and also using AI. Some people think AI is dangerous, but I see it as a tool.

When I interact with AI, I like to think I’m infusing godly principles into it. Who knows what others are feeding it? So, I want to represent the Kingdom in that space too.

It also helps me process ideas and stay focused. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and creating an AI-based coach that mirrors my business perspective helps me sort my thoughts and move forward more efficiently.

Lyle Leads:
Yeah, and we talked about this—don’t just take the first answer AI gives you. Push it! The first response is what everyone gets. You have to shape it with your own input, prayer, and discernment.

Some people think AI is a demon in the machine—but like any tool, it can be redeemed or misused. It’s all about how you use it.

Valerie Pugsley:
Exactly. You have to give AI context. Don’t ever share personal or secure data, but the more context and clarity you give, the more aligned the responses become.

I pay for one that learns my writing voice. It helps me refine grammar and clarity—it’s still me, just edited and sharpened. The key is to use it with wisdom.

Lyle Leads:
For those who aren’t familiar, you can even upload a YouTube video and tell your AI to “analyze my brand voice.” It can identify your tone and style to make content sound more like you.

So Valerie, how can someone reach you?

Valerie Pugsley:
If they need help with mindset, they can go to ValCares.com/links—I’m pretty sure it’s “links” with an “s.” There you’ll find free resources and a link to schedule a call if you’re ready to explore coaching.

Lyle Leads:
Great! And a quick note—Valerie and I are partnering on a project to help ADHD entrepreneurs. You can find it under Quick Brains Team (or Quick Brains Steam—we’re flexible!).

We’ll have a challenge and a community for those who want to embrace how God designed their brain. Because He made it on purpose.

Val, leave us with one final thought.

Valerie Pugsley:
Sure! I’ll share the same thing I said on another podcast recently. Words have power—Scripture says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

There’s a phrase I hear Christians use that makes me cringe: “All I can do is just pray.”
Please—drop the word “just.” When we say that, we minimize who God is. Prayer isn’t “just”—it’s the most powerful thing we can do.

Also, when we pray, we often end with, “But whatever Your will,” in a defeated tone. God reminded me of Ephesians 3:20 and gave me a new way to pray:

“God, I trust You, and I ask You to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond anything I can ask or imagine…”

Fill in the blank with your situation or person—and then stand back and watch God move. It changes everything.

Lyle Leads:
That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. I’ve loved getting to know you better and look forward to working with you—and helping a lot of people with those “fun brains.”

Valerie Pugsley:
Yes, good brains! That’s what I like to say.