The Raw, Uncut Realities of Christian Entrepreneurship

There’s a lot of glorification around entrepreneurship today. It’s easy to idolize—the lifestyle, the image, the freedom. But the reality? Most people don’t actually live it.

Here’s the truth for me: entrepreneurship is a constant state of growth. You’re always having to innovate, develop skills, and keep moving forward. There are a lot of clichés out there—especially in Christian business circles. You hear things like “Without a vision, the people perish,” but that vision has to come from the Lord.

Sure, you need a roadmap. But sometimes, you act in faith without knowing how all the details will come together. I want to share my personal journey with you—the thoughts, the struggles, the convictions.

A Look Back: My Faith and Entrepreneurial Roots

Did I always dream of being a Christian entrepreneur? Not really.

I came to faith around the age of seven. I grew up in a family that believed in Christ. I remember reading the Ten Commandments on the wall, and even as a kid, I felt conviction. I knew I talked back to my parents. That guilt, that awareness of sin, drove me to understand my need for a Savior—and led me to Christ.

Since then, my journey as a Christian has been a continual process of growth. You learn more about God’s character, His grace, His mercy. People talk about self-development, but there’s no greater architect, no greater cultivator of your soul than God. We are His workmanship. His masterpiece.

To this day, I feel Him working on my heart, shaping me into the man He’s called me to be—for my family, for my business, for the mission He’s given me.

Vision, Plans, and the Lord’s Sovereignty

I do believe in having a vision for your life, but Scripture also warns us: don’t be arrogant in making plans. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. You can optimize, sure. You can prepare for the best outcome. But at the end of the day, God is sovereign. We’re just stewards—managers of what He’s entrusted to us.

Some say Satan is the ruler of this world. But Christ is the true King. We, as believers, still have dominion—we can still grow, multiply, and walk in the abundance of life God gives us.

And by abundance, I don’t mean $100 million. Abundance is peace. Knowing you can be still and know that He is God. That no matter what happens—if your business fails, if life gets messy—it’s going to be okay, because Christ is enough.

My wife and I live by one phrase: “We trust God no matter what.”

That’s easy to say. Harder to live. But it’s our conviction.

How Entrepreneurship Started for Me

When I was in college, I felt called to ministry. I served in youth ministry, did interim preaching, and truly loved it. But near graduation, I got really sick—physically and mentally. I was doing ministry, going to school full-time, and preparing to marry my wife.

I looked around and thought, “How do I make money?” I tried getting jobs, but no one would work with my schedule. So I picked up a camera and knocked on doors.

“Hey, I can make you a video.”

I didn’t know what sales was. I just knew I had to get clients. That first ebook I read about sales and marketing—it blew my mind. I had no idea there was a whole system to this.

But here’s the hard part: I viewed money as something that was always above me. Maybe it was the culture I grew up in. Maybe it was a misunderstanding of Scripture. But I struggled with this idea—can I pursue wealth and still honor God?

Reconciling Wealth and Faith

This is where the enemy often plants seeds of confusion. He’ll twist Scripture to keep you stuck. You’ll hear, “Money is the root of all evil.” But that’s not what the Bible says. 1 Timothy 6:10 says:

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”

Jesus talked about money constantly. He used it in parables. He pulled a coin from a fish’s mouth to pay taxes. Money is a tool—nothing more. It stores value and facilitates exchange.

So, I had to break down my thinking. What is money, really? Is it okay to have it? And more importantly, how much is “okay” to have?

If you’ve wrestled with these questions, you’re not alone.

Undercharging and the Scarcity Trap

One of the biggest early mistakes I made in business was this: I undercharged. I believed money was hard to get, and that belief made me price myself too low.

I’d make videos for a couple hundred bucks—when I should’ve been charging four or five figures. But when you believe something is scarce, you repel it.

Truth is, there’s a lot of money in the world. Trillions. Literally.

And you don’t need all of it. You just need enough to serve your clients well, provide for your family, and advance the mission God has given you.

To make money, find people who have it and who are experiencing a painful problem. Offer them a solution with 10x the value of what you’re charging.

That’s the exchange. That’s business.

Building a Biblical Mindset Around Business

As a faith-driven entrepreneur, you need to develop a biblical mindset—not just a “positive” one.

You need to stay integrated. Be the same person in your business, your home, and your ministry. Your principles should remain the same. Your work is a way to love others through service.

Ask yourself: What are you willing to sacrifice? Your time? Your money? Your energy? Whatever it is—invest it into learning, growing, and building something that lasts.

Business Is a Tool

God gave us business as a tool—to serve others, to shine our light, and to glorify Him.

Your business is either a cash cow (generates consistent income) or an appreciation play (something you build to sell later). I view my agency as a cash-flow business. It supports my family, provides for our needs, and gives us freedom.

Down the road, I may pursue businesses with appreciation potential—real estate, assets, investments—but right now, this is about stacking my personal and business balance sheet so I can fund kingdom work.

Final Thought: Conviction

If you take nothing else from this, take this word with you: conviction.

Conviction is what keeps you going when everything else fails. When the business doesn’t work. When the money runs out. When no one responds.

Conviction is what drives you.

What are you convicted about? What’s the mission God’s put on your life? Are you using your business as a way to serve others, love your neighbor, and store up treasure in heaven?

​At the end of the day, you’re either building for something that perishes—or for something eternal.
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​If this resonated with you and you’re building something of eternal significance, I’d love to talk with you.

Whether you need help building your business, launching a funnel, or clarifying your offer—I offer Fractional CMO and consulting services to help you grow.

Book a call with me at www.PaytonIgo.com

​Let’s build something that matters.

For your family.

For your future.

For the Kingdom.