We’re looking forward to introducing you to Grace Onuegbu. Check out our conversation below.
Grace , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
The most important value to me is integrity. Integrity is more than honesty; it’s about being your authentic self, not a representative. If you can’t show up as who you really are, how can you be trusted? In both life and business, I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Once you compromise your integrity, it rarely stops there. That’s why I live by this: mean what you say, say what you mean, and if you make a mistake, own it. Accountability and honesty, even in missteps, are signs of true maturity and trustworthiness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Grace Onuegbu, born in Umuahia, Nigeria. I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, published author, professional speaker, minister, and the founder of SMILEBIZ LLC. In my business, I integrate mental health and wellness into workforce strategy, and I recently shifted into a B2B model to serve hospitals and organizations. This shift was necessary, because workplace burnout and retention are critical issues that require solutions at both the individual and organizational level.
Beyond my clinical and corporate work, I created Own Your Story Meet and Greet™, where I help Christian women birth their books and confidently share their signature story. I also lead Woman Arise Tribe, a global prophetic and praying women’s ministry rooted in John 10:10. We guide women to discover their identity in Christ, heal, and boldly walk in their kingdom assignments.
I am multifaceted by design, and I don’t believe Christians should dim their light. You can dominate the marketplace, serve your clients with excellence, and still stand firm in your faith without compromise. That’s the heart of everything I do.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
From my experience, the two biggest things that break bonds are dishonesty and a lack of accountability. Trust is fragile and easy to break, but very difficult to rebuild. In my early 20s, I was in a relationship where I was immature and dishonest, and it caused a lot of unnecessary pain. I regret not being honest, because selfishness only leaves heartbreak. I’ve also been on the other side of that, receiving lies, and it reinforces just how damaging dishonesty can be.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” In other words, honest feedback, even when it stings, is more valuable than empty flattery that leads you astray.
But I also believe that genuine relationships, ones God ordains, can be restored. It requires forgiveness, grace, mercy, open conversation, and a willingness from both people to intentionally invest in each other. Whether personal or professional, healing bonds takes humility and commitment, but restoration is possible.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me perseverance and surrender to God. James 1:2–3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” How can you know your true capacity if it’s never stretched?
It’s in those valley moments that you learn humility, gain courage, and build the confidence to boldly walk in faith. Contrary to popular belief, when everything is handed to you, you often value nothing. But suffering shapes you differently; it gives you wisdom to carry into the next season of your life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In my opinion, one of the biggest misconceptions in the wellness industry is the “soft life” trend. On social media, it’s often portrayed as living a completely relaxed and uncomplicated lifestyle. While appealing, that picture doesn’t reflect reality for most people and depending on who you ask, it can mean different things altogether.
I don’t believe in hustle culture, but I also don’t believe in selling illusions. I operate from a kingdom standard where rest is biblical and necessary, but true wellness requires balance and intentional work. If someone genuinely wants to experience a “soft life,” they must be willing to face hard truths, do the internal work, and build systems that support their health like practicing good sleep hygiene, setting boundaries, and learning to say no.
As much as I enjoy self-care moments like spa days, I believe wellness goes deeper. It’s about aligning your lifestyle with your purpose and creating habits that sustain you; not just pampering yourself.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
What would remain is my identity in Christ. I know I am a child of God, and everything else is fleeting. My name, role, and possessions can change in an instant, but the core of who I am will not. As John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” That truth anchors me no matter what shifts around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smilebizllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msgraceonuegbu
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graceonuegbu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilebizllc
Image Credits
Olylive Photography
Rae Arelle Photography
