Trades of Hope Tuesdays: Beginnings

I shared yesterday about my heart for Trades of Hope. Today I'd like to introduce you to my friend and Trades of Hope's co-founder, Holly Wehde.

We both want you to know "EVERYTHING" about Trades of Hope. Would you help us by leaving questions in the comments section?

*drumroll, please*   Heeeeere's Holly:

Het: Tell me how Trades of Hope came to be.

Holly: When I was 41, I had a heart attack and  was told I had a bad heart.  It is amazing what you start thinking when you get that kind of news.

I started thinking, "I AM GOING TO DIE!!!! I CAN'T DIE I HAVE FIVE KIDS AND I HAVE SO MUCH TO TEACH THEM!!! "

I cried for a couple weeks and became paralyzed in fear. I was afraid to exercise and  be alone because  I was told that people drop dead from this condition. I was pretty freaked out.

But what I came to understand is to live in fear is to not live at all!  I figured if I didn't have much time left I better get busy finding out what my calling in life was and get to it!  I especially wanted to live out the example to my children of a life lived fully, with no fear and for the Glory of God!

I began praying for God to show me what he wanted me to do and to give me the courage to do it!

Soon after praying that prayer I was invited to a candle home party a friend was having.  As I sat there looking at the room full of women having fun and spending money, I thought, "This is a great concept. It is too bad it doesn't really help women who need it."

Then the light bulb went off! What if I created a missional home party business that helped to rescue women in the sex trade, slums and sweat shops? My big fear was that the products would look cheap and crafty.  When I started researching  products I was blown away by the fair trade groups helping women in these desperate situations and the beauty of their products. God confirmed this was what He wanted me to do through prayer, His word and His people and I jumped in.


Join us next week, when you'll hear Heatherly say, "That is amazing!"

Holly (center) pictured with co-founders Gretchen (Left), and Holly's daughter Chelsie (Right). Not pictured: Gretchen's daughter and co-founder, Liz.

*Obviously, as I work for Trades of Hope, I want the business end to succeed- the more products we sell the more women we help, the more opportunities we create. But I am not compensated to share my views or "advertise" for this  company.  These women have captured my heart. The opinions are my own. The passion is from Him.