Christian Business Leader with Darren Shearer

On this episode, Quilen Blackwell shares how he's using a sustainable flower farm, shop, and delivery company to mentor at-risk youth. Quilen Blackwell is the cofounder of the Chicago EcoHouse and Southside Blooms, organizations dedicated to eliminating poverty through sustainability. He's the grandson of Arkansas sharecroppers who moved to Milwaukee so his grandfather could secure a factory job in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement when racial tensions were high.  After earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Blackwell went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Thailand. When he returned to the United States, he enrolled in a Chicago ministry school where God led him to commit to a life of community service.   He began by tutoring high school students in Englewood, where he saw the devastating impacts of inner-city poverty. Eventually he and his partner (now wife), Hannah Bonham Blackwell founded the Chicago Eco House to transform blighted urban lots into sustainable flower farms. That grew into Southside Blooms, which provides jobs on these farms and in a flower shop to at-risk youth.  Quilen is always amazed to see how God's hand moved through the suffering his grandfather endured working the land in the Jim Crow South all the way to the freedom he now enjoys and shares with others.  https://southsideblooms.com  Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, Uli Chi explains how the scriptural truth that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" should impact the way we conduct business. He also shares other lessons from his new book, The Wise Leader.   Uli Chi has led for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, the theological academy, and the local church, gleaning a wealth of wisdom from each. As an award-winning technological entrepreneur, he founded a software company that developed 3-D virtual reality software, revolutionizing decision-making for consumers and businesses. He is the board chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health System in the Pacific Northwest. He also lends his expertise to the advisory boards for the Benaroya Research Institute and the Virginia Mason Institute, both in Seattle. He serves as the vice chair at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena.   Uli has been part of his local Presbyterian congregation for over fifty years and has served that community in a wide variety of leadership roles.  He's the author of the new book titled, The Wise Leader. The Wise Leader book site: https://depree.org/books/wise-leader/ See the link to the De Pree Center page featuring Uli's content: https://depree.org/bios/uli-chi/

On this episode, Tamra Andress shares how she keeps joy and play at the center of her company's culture as expressions of God's character. Tamra Andress is a 6x #1 Amazon best-selling author (...and counting) featured in Forbes, USA Today, Inc., Entrepreneur, LA Weekly and many other well-known publications. She's keynote speaker, and top podcaster - with The Messenger Movement podcast and two other shows. She's a serial entrepreneur who works with high-capacity Christian leaders to become millionaire messengers and share the Good News. She is wildly in love with words and The Word! Through her publishing company, F.I.T. (fit) in Faith Press, she catalyzes messengers in the marketplace by building buisnesstry through publishing, podcasting, and platform development while keeping play at the core! Her non-profit, The Founder Collective, focuses on ordaining and sustaining marketplace ministers and is launching an Academy in 2026.  https://fitinfaithmedia.com/quiz  Thefoundercollective.com   Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, William Reagan shares how he and Kingdom Marketing help business owners steward the talent God has entrusted to their organizations. He also shares how his company is helping to fund adoptions around the world.   William is a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of a full-suite marketing agency, Kingdom Marketing, which is dedicated to making a difference and contributing to a higher purpose. Williams's company is driven by a Kingdom perspective, seeking to connect with like-minded  businesses and entrepreneurs who share their faith-oriented values.   https://www.trykingdom.com/   Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, Peter Greer shares findings from his study of the spiritual disciplines of some of the world's most high-performing Christian leaders. Peter Greer is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered nonprofit that equips underserved communities with financial tools, including microfinance and savings groups, to break the cycle of poverty. A thought leader in global economic development and a graduate of Harvard's Kennedy School, Peter has co-authored 15 books, including Lead with Prayer, Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, and Created to Flourish.  Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, Andrew Simpson shares how he and his team at Player's Fitness and Performance are cultivating a Christ-centered company culture through practices such as pastoring and praying for their clients. Andrew Simpson is Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Player's Fitness and Performance in Frederick, Maryland. Coach Andrew has helped over 5,000 athletes unlock their true potential. Using his proprietary Winning Athlete Formula, Andrew has cracked the code on what it takes to achieve peak performance in and out of the classroom while maintaining passion, positive relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.  He's the author of several books, including his latest, The Unstoppable Athlete: 12 Keys To Unlock Your Full Potential [The Only One Who Can Stop You, Is You].  https://www.andrewjsimpson.com/  https://www.playersfitnessandperformance.com/ Theology of Business is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God's will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world in the ways of Jesus, this show is for you. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.TheologyofBusiness.com

On this episode, Jonathan Nowlen explains why the shared value of unconditional positive regard (UPR) among team members reflects God's heart and transforms companies. Jonathan Nowlen is a Redemptive Business Consultant who is passionate about recovering the dignity and mission of vocation. He is a career missions leader who has worked in 60 countries over the last few decades. He is the host of the Metron Manager Podcast and author of Managing Your Metron: A Practical Theology of Work, Mission, and Meaning.  Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, Scott Beck shares his faith journey through starting and scaling successful businesses such as Blockbuster Video, Einstein's Bagel, and Boston Market to helping 65,000 church leaders use technology to engage their people and reach local communities.  Scott Beck is the co-founder and CEO of Gloo, a technology platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. After starting and scaling successful businesses including Blockbuster Video, Einstein's Bagel, and Boston Market, Scott turned his expertise to helping ministry leaders scale their impact through tech. Gloo helps 65,000 church leaders use technology to engage their people and reach local communities. Theology of Business is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God's will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world in the ways of Jesus, this show is for you. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.TheologyofBusiness.com

On this episode, Cayla Craft shares best practices for cultivating a godly standard of excellence in our companies. Cayla Craft has spent the last 12 years teaching people how to monetize their personal brand. Now, she focuses on helping online entrepreneurs become investors. She is an angel investor, real estate investor, and founder of the CRAFTed Entrepreneur Show. Her website tagline is "Capital Raising Queen & A Whole Lotta Jesus."   She's the author of the new book, What Do You Really Want?: 7 Questions That Can Unlock the Answers to a Life Full of Abundance, Meaning, and Connection.  Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

On this episode, social media expert Keenya Kelly discusses the need and opportunity for Christians to brand themselves and leverage social media video for marketing, with the goal of glorifying God rather than one's self or one's company. Keenya is the CEO of Keenya Kelly LLC, a Vertical Video Marketing & Consulting agency in San Diego, CA where she strategically helps business owners develop video & funnel marketing strategies.  In just 3 years through vertical video marketing, Keenya has grown an audience of over 500,000, generated over $1 million dollars in her business and has helped thousands of business owners scale and market their businesses online. She recently helped one of her clients reach over $1 million dollars in her business in 10 months on the TikTok platform.  www.keenyakelly.com   Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com