Today we’d like to introduce you to Gajuana Baker.
Gajuana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in Chicago, and raised in Indianapolis. Growing up, I’ve always had many talents from cooking to hair, but passionate about encouraging others to follow their hearts. I began to turn my talents into income but was more satisfied with how people would benefit from the advice and encouragement that I would give. To the world, I was this confident dream chaser, but behind closed doors, I was dreaming silently for more. I masked this “superwoman” image, but behind closed doors, I was completely broken pouring from an empty cup. I thrived in empowering others, but I couldn’t encourage myself in the same ways. About two years ago, I hit my breaking point with addictions to toxic habits, relationships, and things, trying to fill a void that just couldn’t seem to be filled. After trying just about every self-help healing practice down to new age deception for years seeking peace and still bound. I called on the name of Jesus without even believing, and in that moment, my life began to change. I packed everything that would fit and two suitcases and moved thousands of miles away to Texas with just me and my daughter. I realized I was in a new location, but my habits hadn’t changed and my mind I was still bound by fear, shame, and self-doubt. I realized the SHIFT I was looking for was perspective, and that could only change through my mind. I had to face the truths about myself that weren’t pretty, acknowledging unhealthy mindsets/habits and finding grace to forgive myself for mistakes, failures, and losses. Through GOD, tangible tools like meal prep, fasting, journaling, and learning to love me from within, transformation happened. Flashback to this quote that GOD had me write about three years ago. I didn’t know it was him at the time. Laying in bed pregnant and depressed, I wrote “The gift is often accompanied by discomfort so that the gifted doesn’t rest in the gift and so the gifted doesn’t ignore the gifter.” I had no clue what this meant at the time; it was until GOD brought an old journal to my attention three years later, I finally understood! He knew all those things would happen, every failure and mistake, and still chose to create me with purpose. Today I have a vegan catering business AmiahOmariEats, that I have to add has the best vegan cookies in the world and a consulting business that I’m able to empower others to walk in purpose.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been so many obstacles, but in many trials, patience is made perfect. I would say my biggest obstacle was not knowing my identity. I have overcome many adversities in my life. Even in overcoming physically, I struggled to love myself enough to overcome mentally. I was carrying guilt and shame that affected how I saw myself. I ran from my pain and emotions. I didn’t grieve the loss of my mother at a young age, not having the best relationship with my father that led to me searching for love in the wrong places, the embarrassment of dropping out of college, becoming a single mother, and many other failures. I struggled with acceptancing my story. I would continue to work towards my goals, but I didn’t have a firm foundation in my faith to keep me focused when distractions would come, and would be overcome by fear, doubt, and embarrassment. Foundation in Christ (love) changed everything because it revealed that I was not any of those emotions, past situations, or my circumstances. It gave me an unshakeable truth to stand on and identify to cancel thoughts that didn’t match up to who GOD says I am. Through the grace and love GOD has given us, I was able to transform my mindset. Once my mind changed, I was able to receive the nourishment of acceptance, find grace in my mistakes, love me enough to embrace the hard chapters in my life, and confidently conquer challenges. I realized that all the pain I had gone through was preparation for my purpose. It shifted my perspective from “this is breaking me to this is building me up.” The purpose, abundance, and people a person is called to serve doesn’t require you to be “special,” but simply awaiting the person to discover who they are and show up authentically.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
AmiahOmariCo. mission is to impact the world by creating leaders with purpose. We firmly believe that every person is carrying a gift that the world needs. In a society that is consistently working hard for success, we define success as alignment. I help people transform their life through a foundation in Christ. I specialize in individuals with mindset and management transformation. GOD has blessed me to be able to be able to encourage and empower to OWN their story and conquer their dreams boldly by simply showing up as themselves.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid 19 has taught me that faith and fear are a choice. In a time where society is being pushed to conform to fear, there is so much power in faith. Since being in Texas, I left my safety net in my job back in March of 2021 to put faith behind the dreams I couldn’t stop thinking about. The process has not been perfect nor easy; I’m still learning and growing, but my foundation in faith has sustained me, and GOD has provided as promised.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAE_C2NNjYA/V8ZpEyI2tPH8EOiyxcbcKQ/view?website#2:hey-purpose-walker
- Instagram: amiahomarico__
- Other: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFGQ376EyA/at6dOIbsj1nm7DIvJMQIQw/view?website#2
