Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Wentz.
Hope, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Hope Wentz and I am a singer/songwriter as well as business owner in the DFW metroplex. My mother said I hummed familiar melodies like, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” before I could speak. I grew up singing at school talent shows and as I grew, began to fall in love with the connection that singing has to our hearts. Moving into college, I told myself and family that I would “NEVER major in music!” I had many friends who studied music and warned me of its challenges. Not knowing how to play any instruments or how to read music, I felt especially underqualified. My heart changed as I read a website describing music therapy as using music to help others work on non-musical skills. I felt a peace and excitement about using music to help others and decided to give music school a whirl! While studying, my confidence grew as I learned through my strengths and weaknesses… I even picked up playing guitar and piano. I had incredible professors and supervisors who guided me well through that program to set me up for the professional world. Upon finishing my internship, I joined a local music therapy business and began leading their DFW location and serving the area for three years in special needs classrooms and behavior therapy centers.
As I began to songwrite and perform the songs I wrote outside of work, I realized that they carried messages of encouragement that the world needed to hear. I did not know how the pieces would all fit together but I did not feel any remote desire to take on the responsibility of owning my own business! I enjoyed the work and was skilled at it, but felt overwhelmed at the idea. I believe in the Holy Spirit and wrestled through the business plan with Him. I did not want to strive or rush. I actually wanted to wait for peace before moving on it. As I waited for clarity, He told me that it would be much less painful than expected and clothed me with peace for the process. As I began to crawl out of my cave of fear and own the peace provided, I realized the Holy Spirit’s trustworthiness as the business set up became as smooth as butter and as exciting as a summer vacation. From an accidental butt-dial of a friend which led me to great advice and an enrolled agent, to connecting with others who carried the same passions as mine, I realized that this business carried far greater value than anything I could come up with alone. After serving solely as a music therapist for three years, I decided to lead a business that could house my many passions such as music therapy, performing music, songwriting, etc. The business is brand new and is launching August of 2019!
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?
It has felt bewildering to carry a variety of dreams for years and realize the time is ripe for them to finally be birthed. The newness of this endeavor has felt both overwhelming and beautiful as different pieces have begun to fall into place- much like the creative process. I have learned to lean into the mess rather than run from it and trust that as I move through it, things will begin to come together. Beauty never begins easily; It requires a willingness to surrender our hearts and lean into our pain instead of run. I had to bravely grieve the closed doors of my past commitments as I began to trudge into the new, but I learned that sadness itself does not have to be scary or void of hope. My mission is built on hope and I learned to continually hope in the future promised while simultaneously processing the pain of letting go. In retrospect, as I began to move into the startup process, the details came together seamlessly, which was my prayer. I did not want to do it in my own strength, because that has led me to repeated burnout- I wanted to partner with the Holy Spirit’s strength and vision, which has supplied my peace and confidence to see the business through.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with HeART of Hope – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
HeART of Hope, LLC. exists to empower hearts with hope through artistic experience and expression. We currently provide music therapy services, booking entertainment for events, and songwriting for commercials and businesses. We serve the DFW metroplex with creative arts services to foster heart-filled connection with oneself and one another. We believe art requires whole-heartedness to leave a lasting impact and that where hope fills hope flows! Our services are designed to grow hope in each client so they can empower the world!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In addition to the business startup, I have also been working on an EP project entitled, WILD, which will feature original songs to breathe color and confidence on those who feel wilted and weak. It’s inspired by my own journey from fearful to freedom. I eventually want to grow the company to bring on other creative artists so we can together serve families and individuals with training in the creative arts. I want to provide more opportunities for lessons, classes, and collaboration, whether it be in art, photography, dance, guitar, piano, or singing.
Contact Info:
- Website: hopewentz.com
- Email: hopewentz@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hopewentz
- Facebook: @hopewentz
Image Credit:
Cory and Casey Hale Photography
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