Amanda Lawson

Amanda Lawson is a Writer and Content Coordinator for Faith Driven Media. She is also a Research Associate in the John W Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she works in the L.I.F.E. (Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship) Research Lab.

Prior to this, she completed a Master’s degree from Miami University in Foreign Relations History, during which time she was published in several academic journals. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Living Hope Mission, a faith-based 501(c)3 in Cap Haitien, Haiti, dedicated to empowering children and families by partnering with local church leadership to develop physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy communities.

Born and raised in Lima, Ohio, Amanda made her way to Southwest Ohio after stints in Columbus, Ohio and Herforst, Germany. She lives in a small town surrounded by corn fields and spends most of her time in the woods or the local coffee shop.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR

Featured

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

I like big beginnings, explosive and powerful burning bush level moments and ocean waves that 6-foot surfers can stand up under. I’m not an overly patient person when I have a clear goal in mind. Yet, in my current position, the Lord has taught me a lot about not despising small beginnings.

When Faith Mediates Your Entrepreneurial Identity

When our identity as entrepreneurs is challenged, our relationship with God—the rootedness and permanence of what it means to be a child of God—and all that comes with it, can moderate how we view all of our other (sub) identities, especially our EI.

Why Then Should We Work

We want the stories of overcoming obstacles, of underdogs going public, and of products that change the world. They’re easier, more palatable. But I think there’s value in the honesty in hard things.

Gazing At The Right Thing

I recently realized the power of fixing my eyes on beautiful things when—on a particularly frustrating day—I hopped in my car, ready to tell God how annoyed I was by various situations, but caught a glimpse of a cluster of trees that were the perfect blend of fall colors.

Using a Butter Knife when we have a Mighty Sword

We have the very Word of God at our disposal. The mightiest sword in existence is sitting on our coffee tables, bookshelves, and even housed in an app on the phones in our pockets.

Letting Go of Prosperity

When we consider the true gospel, it seems as though, we almost exclusively view it in light of our personal lives. So we end up holding two very different, frankly, mutually exclusive gospels. It’s no wonder we struggle to integrate our faith and work.

The Heroic Entrepreneur

As faith driven entrepreneurs and investors, it’s important to recognize the foundations of our systems and remember that what drives us is rooted in Scripture, rather than man’s wisdom.

The God Who Sees

For many of us, we can feel incredibly lonely in our work, either because of our position or simply a lack of like-spirited coworkers.

Do We Remember How to Be Social Entrepreneurs?

To some degree, we’ve acclimated to remote or hybrid work, wearing masks in the office, the joy of wearing sweatpants 7 days a week because video calls only require partial professionalism. So, as we begin the transition back, how do we do it?

The Quakers and the Modern Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Innovation, compassion, and a rooted pursuit were staples of Quaker living. They also define the motives of faith driven entrepreneurs today..

Overcoming "Publish or Perish" with Partnerships

Imagine the possibilities if generations of entrepreneurs and scholars were deeply rooted both in their confidence to integration their faith in their work, and also in a community of believers who supported them in it!

The Importance of History for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs

Learning history is less about not repeating past mistakes; it’s much more about understanding the incredible story God has been writing—a story in which we are fortunate enough to be one small chapter.

Shame Never Made Anyone a Better Entrepreneur

The past 2 years of my life have been a long season of learning a lot about obedience. It hasn’t always (read: rarely) been a pretty or smooth process.

College Professors as Influencers

In the age of the “influencer,” perhaps we have been missing one of the most powerful pools of individuals who can help shape not only our culture now, but the next generation: university professors.

Fear and Trembling and Defining Success

Fear and trembling aren’t bad or wrong. But you cannot ignore what comes before and behind: that we have the joy of obedience because we are blessed to know the end of the story, and that it is God who is working in and through us to carry out His good purpose.

Faithful to the Grind When You Know You're Meant for More

So maybe you are headed toward starting the next unicorn company, but right now the Lord has you tending the flock. Maybe you’re called to serve the boss that’s got a temper, and while you know you’re next in line for his job, you honor his leadership in the waiting.

Tuls for the Trade

If you’ve found yourself with an increased list of home projects over the past few months, you’re not alone. The increase of DIY projects aided by the stay-home mandates and the loss of jobs and company shut downs due to COVID-19 revealed a great opportunity for both customers and pros.

Faithful vs. Willful Comes Down to a Question of Identity

Achieve, work harder, be a go-getter, pursue. These concepts which are so familiar to entrepreneurs are not inherently bad but have the potential to knock us on our backs if not kept in the right context.

Faith Driven Entrepreneurs Are Called to Excellence

We do the work we are called to do, but more important than simply doing the job is how we do it. JD Greear explained that we have a call to excellence, for the sake of honoring the Lord, not simply getting the job done.