Soul Sisters Step UP- A picture of possibility Picture of Possibility Magazine | Page 8

Dedra Ruiz
My Motto is:
“you can never
rise higher
than your
perception of
your worth”
- Arlene villarule
How can you know your val-
ue if you’ve never taken the time
to understand who you really are?

As a young entrepreneur, I’ve lost myself so many
times chasing after success, that I ultimately be-
came disgusted by being successful! There was
actually a period in my life where being average
was my comfort zone.  I had been stolen from,
abandoned, criticized, and taken advantage of so
much, that success was no longer appealing to me.
The day that inner voice told me, I look nothing
like I was created to be, was the turning point in
my life.  I started to reassess every so-called “neg-
ative” experience I encountered and saw how
the hand of God was always present; maturing
me, opening my eyes to spirits I was once obliv-
ious to, drawing me to Him and less towards ex-
ternal counsel. I dropped my dependency on
man and was reminded of the REAL SOURCE!
I
became
woke
God
designed
to
me
the
fact
that
for
success!
He designed us all for success, and when we
allow past failures and experiences to crip-
ple us from enduring, purpose is stolen. The
devil comes to kill steal and destroy so guess
who wins when you give in to your emotions. 
My advice is to only entertain “fear” when it
comes to giving up before purpose is fulfilled. 
My mind plays tricks on me sometimes by tell-
ing me I’m not ready, I’m not good enough, smart
enough, thin enough, talented enough but I re-
mind all these thoughts that I was perfectly created
with all that is needed to complete MY PURPOSE.

I can do all things (along the lines of fulfilling my pur-
pose, not anyone else’s) through Christ who strength-
ens me. I am a wife, a mother of 3 and an entrepreneur...
Trust me when I say, I mess up in each role when
I try to function in my own strength and wisdom.
Seeking the Wisdom of God in each area of my life is
what keeps me sane, successful and thriving today.
Follow me
@av_thebeautyexperts
From Corporate to Entrepreneur
I grew up the daughter of a farm-
er and a seamstress, both with
limited education and resourc-
es.  Their focus on providing for
my sister and I placed a strain on
their ability to balance family time. 
My transitioning process start-
ed with writing down what I al-
ready had and listing what I needed. 
I had the skill, training and a few clients
to start my journey as a business owner.  
I desired a fully functioning, well-
I always knew I wanted my own stocked studio that met my needs,
family to have a different experi- but I also needed to pay off debts
ence. As a wife and mother, I jug- and save for an emergency fund. 
gled family life, an 8-4 job, pursu- I opted to start with the emergen-
ing a degree while also following cy fund, saving every cent I could.
my passion for makeup artistry.  I was focused and determined to
build a saving fund that could cov-
Creating balance was always a strug- er my monthly expenses, God
gle. While to many, it seemed I forbid, this venture should fail. 
had things under control, it often
felt like I was drowning and over- My next significant steps were work-
whelmed.  And when I thought ing on building my studio, accept-
things could not get any worse, it did.  ing clients and teaching in my living
room to raise the extra cash.  I rein-
The news came that my or- vested all my earnings into designing
ganization would soon close and creating the workspace I desired.
its
doors,
permanently! 

I was jolted into action, prepar- I prayed every step of the way; God
ing and planning to go from the didn’t always answer in the way I
corporate world with a secure in- wanted, but He always answered. 
come, to full-time entrepreneur. 
Two years later and I had tran-
How does one transition easily?    sitioned
from
an
employ-
You don’t. There is nothing easy about it,  ee to a growing entrepreneur. 
My journey is still far from over.
But trust me, if I can do it, s o can you. 
Planning,
perseverance
and
prayer are what will make
the
journey
comfortable.
I continue to work assiduously on my
craft, learning to skillfully hop over
hurdles and manoeuvre the challeng-
es of owning my own business, daily.
Can you do it? You definitely Can! 
You can transition if you; 
1. Get Prepared 
2. Stay prayed up
3. Design a plan Set specific goals 
4. Practice delayed gratification
5. Improve your skill & knowledge 
6. Be consistent.
I am a Picture of
Possibility. 
Mrs Dedra Ruiz-Richards 
Wife, Mom, Professional Make Up
Artist and Entrepreneur 

Follow me @makeupbydedra