Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Dean.
Tamara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After seven years in banking and 12 years in real estate, I came to a time in my life where I had so many questions and not enough answers. I wanted to know what was next. I had a strong passion for both banking and real estate while in those positions, and yet I knew there was a ‘next’ on the horizon. I prayed and prayed and prayed some more and got nothing. It wasn’t until I was thumbing through the pages of my journal that I realized that the answer was already given. I wasn’t waiting on God, He was waiting on me.
So, on a cold New Years’ Eve afternoon in Southfield, MI. The year was 2011. I invited women over to my house for what I called prayer and praise gathering. Nine women showed up in great expectations! While sitting in my living room, we all shared openly and honestly, our greatest desires as well as our deepest pain. We cried, we laughed, and conversed about where we were in our lives and where we hoped to be.
I shared with the group how I wanted to get to a place where I had the same fervency for HERS as I did mine. No envy or jealousy. I often say to women, “She is not your enemy, she is your ally. I encouraged the women to not just pray their own, but to Pray… Hers (pointing to a sister in the room). It was at that moment when those words, Pray Hers, rolled off of my tongue that I knew something was birthed. A new season for women had begun, and it was now time to Unite women. Ignite passions. Birth dreams in a much greater way. Today, PrayHers continues to evolve into a Sisterhood that is resonating with women as far away as Africa, India, and China.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is there even such a thing as a smooth road-LOL? “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith.
Life is full of destinations, better yet, milestones and the road to reaching them is filled with many challenges, detours, and disappointments. I jokingly tell people, “I quit at least three times a year.” By that, I mean, I am tempted by the challenges to just say forget it and throw in the towel. But, without fail, whenever I am faced with quitting, I receive an encouraging text, email, or phone call from a woman sharing how PrayHers has helped shaped her life or helped her to courageously go after her dreams. Learning that information keeps me on the journey.
One of my biggest struggles on this journey has been one that I believe is common to many, and that is in the area of self-doubt. Leading a charge of any kind naturally comes with its own set of fears and doubts, such as, “Am I doing the right thing?” Do I have what it takes to sustain it? Will I gain support or interest? When negative thoughts come, I sidestep them with positive affirmations—my favorite. I can do ALL things through Christ, which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Sometimes, I just tell myself, “Girl, you got this.”
PrayHers is not your typical non-profit organization; therefore, gaining financial support from donors has been challenging. Oftentimes, when people or companies think of supporting a non-profit, they primarily look for organizations that serve the disadvantaged. The women we reach may not necessarily be considered the disadvantaged, instead she could be very successful and called to help the disadvantaged. She may have that dream and passion dormant in her heart, and all that is needed is for it to be stirred, cultivated, and IGNITED by a support system that can help her follow-through.
Non-profits enhance the quality of life for people. PrayHers mission is to help women live a quality life that comes from living a purpose-driven life.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over I would definitely have a simple and clear organizational system in place. Although I had records of everything, I lacked an efficient way of organizing it all , which resulted in me duplicating tasks, which of course, equates to time loss.
Also, I would make sure that the vision is clearly understood. When people are clear on what you are about they are more likely to connect with what you are doing. I would delegate more and duplicate more of my position into someone who can take over, if necessary.
Lastly, and as a friendly reminder, you can’t please everyone because you are not called to everyone. Know that discouragement and detours are part of life’s journey, don’t destroy your dream over a few minor setbacks. Get up, dust yourself off, and focus on the finish.
Please tell us about PrayHers.
I am honored to be the visionary for a 501c3 organization called PrayHers. Our mission is to UNITE women of all races, IGNITE their passions, and BIRTH dreams. Part of our vision is to make the PrayHers name synonymous to women on a mission to live successfully in every area of life: spiritual, mental, physical, financial
Every month we come together for Sisterhood Saturday. It’s an opportunity for women to gather in a safe environment, share ideas, and get inspired to go out and make a difference in the world around them. Every year PrayHers host a Sisterhood Call to Unity Conference where we invite dynamic speakers in for a full day of healing, restoration, and empowerment. The time spent is electric and life-changing. According to the testimonials received, women are being IGNITED to BIRTH their dreams. We also organize a nationwide PrayHers 31-Day challenge, which is based on my book, In HERS is YOURS. It’s an opportunity for women to… pray-hers oppose to… prey-hers. We pray concerning areas that are pertinent to women: relationships, forgiveness, and barrenness, to name a few.
One of the things I am most proud of is the unwavering commitment to help women live life with a purpose. Although it requires a lot, personally, the return of seeing women live the life they were meant to live makes it worth it. I am proud of that sister who is boldly pursuing her dreams.
Pricing:
- My book, In HERS is YOURS is available for $12.95
- PrayHers t-shirts are available for $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.prayhers.com
- Email: prayhers@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipray_hers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrayHersPage
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