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.

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What happens when faith, clarity, and calling finally line up in business?

In this episode of the Christian Business Growth Podcast, Rev. Lyle talks with Rhonda Caudill of Vision & Momentum about building a business rooted in core values, obedience, and alignment. Rhonda shares how returning to school later in life, facing a cancer diagnosis, and slowing down reshaped her approach to business and service.

This conversation explores how Christian entrepreneurs can rediscover their gifts, clarify their message, and build momentum without chasing every trend or tactic.

Rhonda Caudill – Quotes

• “Because my life is precious now, I want to maximize my gifts and serve other people.”

• “I don’t help people find their voice through design. I help them rediscover their gifts and express them.”

• “When you show up in your authentic voice, the right people find you and the wrong ones self-select out.”

Rev. Lyle – Quotes

• “Too often we’re busy seeking our business and not seeking God in our business.”

• “People are so busy doing what everyone else is doing that they miss the authenticity of who they are.”

• “You can have momentum, but if you’re moving fast in the wrong direction, you’re still not fulfilled.”

Discovering Purpose: Rhonda Caudill’s Journey from Interior Design to Empowering Others in Business

Introduction: In a world where the path to success often seems predetermined, Rhonda Caudill’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to pivot and follow your true calling. From her initial pursuit of interior design to her fulfilling career in graphic and web design, Rhonda’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of divine guidance.

1. The Beginning of a Journey
Rhonda Caudill’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly when she returned to school at the age of 47 to complete her degree in interior design. As she navigated the rigorous demands of her studies, she realized that her passion lay not only in design but also in the visual presentation of ideas. During her time in school, she encountered a significant gap in the market: many aspiring designers were not being equipped with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to market themselves effectively. This revelation sparked her interest in graphic design.

2. A Shift in Focus
Rhonda’s desire to change majors was met with concern from her husband, who recognized the commitment she had already invested in her education. However, this initial hesitation did not deter her; instead, it fueled her determination. After graduating in December 2018, Rhonda faced a new challenge: the closure of her school and the daunting reality of entering a competitive job market. Opting for freelancing, she aimed to leverage her unique skills and life experiences to serve clients in a more personal and fulfilling way.

3. Overcoming Adversity
Just as she was about to embark on her new career, Rhonda received a breast cancer diagnosis, a life-altering event that shifted her priorities and perspective. This experience taught her the importance of maximizing her gifts and serving others with intention. Rhonda now emphasizes the value of each day and dedicates her work to helping others succeed. Her passion for web design emerged as a true calling, allowing her to express creativity while assisting clients in rediscovering their own gifts.

4. Finding Balance in Business
As Rhonda’s business grew, she recognized the importance of self-care and laying a strong foundation for her work. She began implementing a weekly CEO meeting with God to reflect on her progress and set goals. This practice helped her slow down and prioritize the essential aspects of her business, leading to greater focus and productivity. Rhonda encourages fellow entrepreneurs to allocate time for administrative tasks and to establish a structured approach to their work.

5. A Unique Approach to Branding
One of Rhonda’s key insights is the importance of understanding one’s core values and gifts before targeting an ideal client. By focusing on what truly matters, entrepreneurs can craft messaging that resonates with their audience and sets them apart in a crowded marketplace. Rhonda advocates for identifying three to five core themes to guide content creation and networking efforts, ensuring authenticity in every interaction.

Conclusion: Rhonda Caudill’s journey from interior design to graphic and web design is a powerful reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s true calling and serving others. Her story highlights the significance of adaptability, self-reflection, and understanding personal values in business. As she continues to empower others through her work, Rhonda exemplifies the notion that success is not solely about climbing the corporate ladder but about creating meaningful connections and making a positive impact.

Key Takeaways:
– Embrace the unexpected twists in your career path.
– Focus on your core values and gifts to create authentic messaging.
– Prioritize self-care and structure to enhance productivity.
– Always seek to serve others and support their success.

Tags: Rhonda Caudill, Christian Business, Entrepreneurial Journey, Graphic Design, Web Design, Business Growth, Personal Development, Core Values, Resilience, Faith in Business.

Rev. Lyle:
Hello and welcome to the Christian Business Growth Podcast. I’m here with Rhonda Caudill, and she’s going to share her story today. Rhonda, how did God get you started in business?

Rhonda Caudill:
Like most things, I feel like God has a sense of humor. I went back to school full-time at 47 to finish a degree in interior design at the Art Institutes, thinking that was how I was going to support myself after my divorce. Most people don’t realize that interior designers usually make money through commercial work, which requires national exams and certifications.

Three years into a four-year plan, I got remarried. I remember asking my husband what he’d say if I changed majors to graphic design. He jokingly said he’d wrap his hands around my neck and squeeze. I took that as a firm no. He had seen how much time I was spending, eight hours every Saturday, wrists hurting from computer work, missing family events. I tend to go all in.

I stuck with it and graduated in December 2018. I was part of the last graduating class before the Illinois Institute of Art closed. It was exciting but anticlimactic. No job placement. No portfolio show. Our graduation was combined with another school. It took the wind out of my sails.

I also realized I didn’t want to commute two hours each way and compete with twenty-somethings up the corporate ladder. Freelancing made more sense. I could offer a unique skill set and a different perspective.

Then God’s sense of humor showed up again. Two semesters before graduation, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I spent a year and a half in treatment. When I returned, my goals had changed. I wasn’t mentally or physically ready to compete and hustle. I found fulfillment serving others instead.

Rev. Lyle:
From interior design to graphic design, and then a diagnosis gave you a different perspective. What was the one thing God communicated to you during that process?

Rhonda Caudill:
It became the foundation of everything I do now. I’m not special. I don’t know how many days I have. I could be gone tomorrow or live to 103. Because life is precious, I want to maximize my gifts and serve other people.

Doing that full time is a dream. I overdeliver. I go all in. I support people because if I can help you succeed, I still have a job. I’ve expanded far beyond graphic design. Web design is my true love. If I had to pick one thing, it would be building Squarespace websites.

But what I really do is help people rediscover their gifts, tie into their core values, and find their voice. I express that through the technical skills I have.

Rev. Lyle:
What is God doing right now in your business?

Rhonda Caudill:
He’s teaching me to rest and build behind the scenes. If I’m going to pray for increased capacity, I need a strong foundation and a great client experience.

Rev. Lyle:
What wisdom would you give someone who’s stuck working in the business instead of on the business?

Rhonda Caudill:
I have a CEO meeting with God every week. I block an hour on Fridays to review the week and plan the next one. Mondays are blocked for admin. I also manage my attention with structure because I’m undiagnosed ADHD.

Slowing down and making the basics as important as client work changed everything. It’s helped me complete bigger projects and feel more capable.

Rev. Lyle:
What’s a business growth tip you could give today?

Rhonda Caudill:
Most people start with an ideal client avatar. I go one step back. Start with your gifts and core values. That’s where your messaging and differentiation come from.

Your values give you a filter. They clarify your content, your networking conversations, and your offers. Focus on three to five things and talk about those consistently.

I had a travel theme on my old website. It was fun, but it didn’t serve my business. Letting it go helped me focus.

Rev. Lyle:
How do you help someone who doesn’t know their gifts?

Rhonda Caudill:
Spiritual gifts assessments are helpful. But also ask yourself what you were good at as a kid. When were you in flow? Those things don’t change.

A book that changed my life was Wishcraft by Barbara Sher. I’ve worked through it multiple times. The goals I wrote down at 19 are the same ones I’m living now. God honors that when I turn back to Him and ask how to serve.

When you show up in your authentic voice, the right people find you. The wrong ones self-select out.

Rev. Lyle:
How do people get in touch with you, and what’s one final piece of wisdom?

Rhonda Caudill:
I’m mostly on LinkedIn, and my website is visionandmomentum.com. Find your core values. Narrow them down to fewer than five. You know in your soul what matters most.

When things are aligned, you feel it in your body and mind. Slow down. Put God first. Ask how He wants you to serve in this season.