Diggin’ Into an Interview with Sheryl Perkins!

Sheryl Perkins, Owner of Mother’s Fynest LLC

Entrepeneur and businesswoman Sheryl Perkins, owner of Mother’s Fynest, LLC is an amazing woman with an awesome testimony!  I sat down with her the other day to pick her brain and bring to you a genuine story of God’s love, and today I deliver it to you!  Here is Part One, Enjoy!

Li’el: What inspired you to create Mother’s Fynest LLC.

What inspired me was losing my job.  I downsized from Verizon in October 2008, and so I started out making the pies.  I made different pies for friends.  After time it was suggested that I start charging.  It was out of a need to make some money and a need to do something I was passionate about.

Li’el: How did you start it up?  Tell us some of the steps you took.

The first thing I did was to try and find a commercial kitchen that I could bake out of.  So when I found a commercial kitchen I worked with a chef to learn how to bake in bulk; you are used to baking one pie now you need to learn to bake 200 pies.  I learned how you do that more efficiently.  Once I found a commercial kitchen I learned what you can buy wholesale, and how to get the best price for the product you make.

Li’el: What is the best advice  you have been given in regards to your business?  And what is your best piece of advice?

Prepare your batter the first week, and then the next week you bake.  That was the best advice, because it made it so much easier.  The first year I did not take off work.  I learned and would say you need to take off work.

Li’el: And why Skincare products?How did you come up with that

I was working for a company that markets and distributes haircare products.  I was using shea butter at the time in its raw form.  I was sampling shea butters at the time and decided to see what it looks like when you whip it because I was not satisfied with what I had bought.  So I started mixing it with some essential oils that I already had and shared it with a  friend that likes body butters, and a person I know that does manicures and pedicures and they both loved it; the mani-pedicurist wanted to carry it in her salon.  So I put the two products together, just trying to make people happy.

Li’el: How does your faith factor into what you do and have you faced any challenges as a businesswoman and a Christian?

One of my favorite scriptures is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and I have learned that what God has for your is for you.  And I have learned to rely on him and I know that he has sustained me between the time that I got downsized and now.  I am a statistic for being homeless and I work with homeless people.  A lot of people come in because they have lost their jobs, and that’s why they are homeless.  So I am reminded everyday that I could be homeless, because I lost my job.  The reason I am not homeless is so that I can be a testimony and help others, that is why God has put me on this entrepreneurial journey.  It is a new journey for me relying on my faith, and I know I could not have done it without him.

Lookout for Part Two of this interview with Sheryl Perkins! And check out her website at www.mothersfynest.com!

–Li’el

Mother’s Fynest’s Exfoliants!

A Peek at one of the Men Behind the Ministry, Greg Dunn!

            Greg Dunn

You have seen the biography, now hear from the man himself, here is my interview of Greg Dunn!

 

 

 

 

Li’el: You do so much with the gifts God has given you, how do you find time to balance everything?

Greg Dunn: I want to thank God first for even thinking of using an imperfect vessel such as myself. As far as balancing everything, it really came down to understanding through the Bible what my mission is on this Earth. God had to work in my heart over time to remove the self-seeking and self-fulfilling goals and to fill the void with a desire to serve others with the gifts the He blessed me with. The free time that I used to spend sleeping in and relaxing in the house is now spent using my gifts in ministry. I get tired at times for sure, but I just keep reminding myself that I need to use my time wisely here on Earth and my true rest will be with the Father one day. However, I am truly a work in progress.

Li’el: Who and what inspired you to start going down the path with physical training and business that you are on today?

Dunn: The interest in physical training began mainly in my athletic background. My parents got me involved in sports as soon as I was old enough and I immediately fell in love with the competition. I always wanted to practice and push my abilities to the limits every day. My coaches did not get me involved with lifting weights until high school however. I immediately became interested in pushing myself to the limits physically and have been consistent with it since then. I was invited by a personal trainer who noticed my passion for physical fitness to begin training at Anytime Fitness and I have been there part-time ever since.

My decision to pursue business is actually a little more amusing. One of the famous words of wisdom given to me by my father as I was being dropped off at Florida A&M University really fueled my decision. He stated “You have four years to graduate. Anything more than that you are paying for and make sure you choose a major that will get you a job afterwards”. After some deductive reasoning, I decided Business may be a good decision….

Li’el: Who and what inspires you today both in the industries that you have chosen to focus on, and in everyday life?

Dunn: I would say my most important influence would be my father. He by far is the measure of a man who I want to be as a father, husband, employee, spiritually, and overall. He has not only taken up his responsibility to lead his family, but he has done so in a self-less manner. He sacrificed his time, talents, and resources to ensure that the family was taken care of. I take any chance that I get to make sure that I thank him for all that he has done and the example that he has set.

Li’el: What is your motto about your work?

Dunn: Colossians 3:23-24

²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Li’el:What is the best free advice someone has ever given you? 

Dunn: It would have to be from my father. “This life is not about you”

Li’el: What are some of your goals and aspirations?

Dunn: If I could just pick three short-term aspirations that I have the first one would be to become a husband and father. Another one of my aspirations is by God’s grace to grow the young adult ministry at church into disciples that are willing to make disciples. My third aspiration is to run a half-marathon by next year.

Li’el: What is a workday like in the life of Greg Dunn?

Dunn: My typical work starts at 7am. I begin with time in prayer and reading the Bible. I also have a morning scripture that I distribute to a few people through text. I then get into the office around 8:30am and work until 6pm. However the proposal schedules vary and sometimes I can end up in the office until 9 or 10pm. If I get out of the office at 6pm, I’ll drive home and eat some dinner. I usually head out to the gym after dinner. When I get back I talk on the phone with one of my accountability partners. Before I got to sleep I pray with someone over the phone and spend some quiet time in the Bible by myself. I’m usually in bed by 11:30pm.

Li’el: If you could do one thing in the world and never have to worry about bills or money or food or shelter, what would it be and why?

Dunn: It would definitely be mentoring young men. That is my passion and gift and I would without hesitation do that full-time if I did not have to worry about paying bills.

Li’el: f you could leave your audience with one sentence, and they not take away anything else from this interview, what would it be?

Dunn: John 17:3

³ And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

I wholeheartedly thank Greg for this inspiring and spirit-filled interview, for sharing the Word and helping to spread the gospel!

AMEN!

–Li’el

 

 

Related articles

• Linkin’ into Greg Dunn! (lielsbeat.wordpress.com)