Today we’d like to introduce you to Edora Butler.
Edora, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Those closest to me know I am a dreamer. I recall working at Shop Rite, a grocery store in my hometown of Franklin, Louisiana. I frequently would say, “I am going to work in Corporate America.” Now, if I recall correctly, I didn’t exactly know what that meant! I just knew that I was dreaming bigger than what I saw around me. I said it for so long that some of those around me began to have doubts.
But I made the big leap and moved to the DFW-Metroplex. Following my dreams, I didn’t pick the company I would work with. Instead, I selected the atmosphere, the location, and the look of the buildings. I was dreaming and reaching for something better and different. I remember the prayer I prayed: “God – I don’t know what I am good at, but you do.” At the age of 23, that was all I needed to say. After hearing a sermon titled “Reach Beyond the Break,” I soon found work with Fidelity Investments.
I wish I could tell the story of how my education helped to pave the way to great success. That was not my story. It was one of hard work, dedication, integrity, and a whole lot of prayer that helped me to move from working a back-office position to earning a role as a Compliance Director. If there is one person I would want to thank, it’s Diane McQuillan. As a back-office associate, Diane helped me to understand how to read the IRS Code and the application to business processes. I would ask questions, but she would not give me the answer – she always led me to the Code/Regulation. As I learned more, I made the decision to pursue an education with the help of a tuition reimbursement program.
While working, I began to think about how I wanted to make an impact on others. Being reared in the South by a mother who taught me the importance of service and giving, I have consistently looked for ways to serve people. As I looked for my own way to serve, I found myself giving, first to small businesses, then to individuals. Still dreaming, I knew that I wanted to reach for more and began planting seeds in businesses and in other people.
My impact story is more related to an area that I personally struggled: managing a budget. I started Cups Jars Vessels, Inc. (CJV), a non-profit organization that teaches financial literacy for people like me who just need a little help getting on track. Paying creditors and being honorable in our finances is not just about minimizing debt. I believe that God honors our efforts to be good stewards over what he has placed into our hands.
My goal has been simple: to fulfill my call to serve by pouring into the lives of others. While it is business, it’s personal. It’s me saying, “I don’t want to leave anything on the table, and nothing shall be wasted.” No experience, no encounter, and none of Edora shall be wasted.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
D. H. Lawrence said, “There is no smooth road into the future: but we go round, or scramble over the obstacles.” Life itself brings about challenges. You just have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep moving. I am a planner, so if plans don’t work out, I rework the plan or sometimes rework my heart to align with what I should be doing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cups Jars Vessels – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Cups, Jars, and Vessels is a non-profit organization focused on teaching financial literacy to adults. We wanted to help those who were working but still struggling with their budgets. We want to reach those who work every day but still have a hard time making ends meet. We also want to reach those who don’t have a plan or at least one that is written down.
We currently host classes on Budgeting, Credit, Loans and Debt, and Managing Risk and Insurance. To date, we have trained over 100 individuals. It’s our start and we look forward to making a greater impact. We love the hands-on approach, but had to shift to online classes due to COVID19 – so thank you COVID for making us stretch ourselves! Classes are hosted for free to participants, and we garner support from family, friends, and the community to support our programs. We also award scholarships to high school seniors who will be pursuing secondary education.
I am most proud of the volunteers who have invested their time in teaching and sharing their personal stories. Their dedication is immeasurable. Anytime someone believes in your dreams and vision, it’s good to pause and be thankful that, perhaps, they too can see the dream you envisioned.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As I look forward, I am open to what life might offer. I am still dreaming. I still have a few things left on the table. Soon, you will see a financial journal published by Cups Jars Vessels. Thereafter, CJV will continue to look for ways to make a broader impact. We are working on a platform behind the scenes and hope to share more in early fall.
Personally, you can look forward to reading personal faith-based journals and books from me as I continue to fulfill my call to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cupsjarsvessels.org/
- Phone: 855-768-7258
- Email: info@cupsjarsvessels.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cups_jars_vessels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cupsjarsvessels
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cupsjarsvessels
Image Credit:
Butch McCrackin
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