Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Leach.
Becky, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After living all over the country when I was younger, I grew up in North Dallas. I graduated from TCA in Addison, met my husband in the youth group at Prestonwood Baptist Church and attended Baylor University. From a young age, I had a creative mind but a quiet spirit. I had no desire to be a leader, but to instead help the leaders lead.
When I registered for college classes my freshman year, I remember the advisor asking me what I saw myself doing. I was extremely confident when I said I was deciding between three areas of study – totally normal for a college freshman, by the way. I said “Accounting, Interior Design or Elementary Education.” My advisor, with a smile, let me down gently when he told me those were not even remotely related.
I ended up majoring in Interior Design, working for a fabulous architecture firm in Dallas for a few years before I had my oldest child. I did a little design work on the side prior to deciding that for the time being, for our family, it was too much.
In 2011, I started an Etsy shop called Little Branches. I painted signs before everyone did and certainly before Hobby Lobby sold them at a fraction of the cost. It was such a blessing to be creating again – and making money doing it. Little Branches eventually paid my way to go on a mission trip to Africa where I thought we would end up adopting a child from. Instead, I found myself in front of a large group of women teaching about how to have a creative business. (And my advisor said those things weren’t related.)
Little Branches closed it’s Etsy doors in 2017, however, painting is still an outlet and I do still sell original arts and prints on my website.
In 2018, I began the difficult journey of dealing with childhood sexual abuse. I had blamed myself for far too long, feeling responsible and ashamed for what had happened to me. As I started to walk through the healing process that involved a lot of counseling and room for healing, it became extremely evident to me that I was not alone. Of course, there are many women (and men) who have held back abuse from their childhood, but there are many more who are holding back some other part of themselves.
Whether it’s an addiction, abuse, infertility, unplanned pregnancy, assault or infidelity, I found through my journey that we can hold on to these pains as identifiers for our souls when they don’t have to be! It is my desire to help women let go of their pasts and grab hold of their freedom and for me that means Jesus.
As a result, we are hosting a FREE event October 24 called #FreeToo that will walk with women seeking freedom in their own lives and we hope that everyone who can join us there.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all.
I have questioned my faith, I have doubted my abilities, my calling, my purpose, my worth so much of the way. It’s crazy to look back through and see how God orchestrated the entire thing. I could never have run the Etsy Shop while walking through the healing process last year, but it had already become evident that I couldn’t keep up. It was such a hard thing to let go of, but that letting go has made way for #FreeToo to be possible.
I remember one moment from last year, curled up in a ball on the kitchen floor asking God “why is this happening” and I felt such peace come over me in that horrible moment. That’s all I want for other women.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Truly, I am a writer first. I love to write and that’s probably what I’m most proud of. But I also love to create and tell others about Jesus!
I am super proud to speak at many local MOPs groups along with traveling to several churches all over Texas. Speaking is such a fun opportunity for me to meet other women, for us to come alongside each other and say “you aren’t alone”. It’s such an honor and privilege to encourage someone who is down in the trenches with you. It’s also a good chance to get out of my house and get dressed for once.
As far as the business is concerned, I am most excited about our scripture memory cards. They are a labor of love and super fun to create.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Ministry is lonely no matter what city you are in. However, I have found a great network of women here who are all seeking the same goals in different ways so that’s encouraging. We have wonderful counseling and spiritual resources available here in Dallas and I think it’s a great city to live in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beckyleach.com
- Email: becky@beckyleach.com
- Instagram: @beckyleachtx
- Other: www.freetootx.com
Image Credit:
Some Images by Sarah Avitua Photography
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