A while ago I posted an article about How To Grow A Christian Home Business, recommending the excellent resource ‘Insprints’. This is a creative Christian business opportunity for those of you who have an entrepreneurial spirit about you.

I now have a very interesting interview with the founder and developer of the Insprints system, Jimmy D Brown.

If you have an interest in work at home opportunities that fit perfectly with your Christian lifestyle and convictions, this is a great product to consider.

Interview with Jimmy D. Brown, Founder of Insprints

INTERVIEWER: In one sentence, tell us what Insprints is all about.

JIMMY D. BROWN: Insprints is a monthly membership that entitles members to download, print and sell inspirational artwork.

INTERVIEWER: The same kind of artwork that you would find in Christian bookstores?

JIMMY D. BROWN: Yes, the same kind. The only difference is, our artwork is only available through Insprints members and not through a large wholesaler which is where most bookstores buy their products. But as far as design and quality, the artwork is similar to what you’d find in retail locations.

INTERVIEWER: Where do you get your artwork?

JIMMY D. BROWN: We commission artists to create exclusive and original oil paintings based on our specific instructions and feedback throughout the creation process. The art pieces are then scanned into digital format, enhanced and adorned with Bible verses.

INTERVIEWER: Then members download and print them?

JIMMY D. BROWN: Yes, members click on a link that we send to their email address. This transfers the artwork to their computer. After that, it’s just a matter of printing out the artwork on their printer. ANY printer will work … we’ve created beautiful prints even on a $29 inkjet printer from Wal-Mart.

INTERVIEWER: Really? Even those inexpensive printers? How does that work?

JIMMY D. BROWN: The designs themselves are created with very high resolution so the color looks very good regardless of what printer you use. When you set the printer settings to “highest quality”, we’ve yet to see a printout that didn’t look beautiful … even on regular copy paper.

INTERVIEWER: So, it’s very inexpensive as a result?

JIMMY D. BROWN: That’s exactly right. An 8″X10″ print costs less than a quarter.

INTERVIEWER: So, what then? You wouldn’t just sell the print straight from the printer, would you?

JIMMY D. BROWN: No, not straight from the printer, but almost. Once you’ve printed it, you would either insert it immediately into a frame or you would use a “mat kit” for the print.

INTERVIEWER: For those who don’t know what a “mat kit” is, could you describe it?

JIMMY D. BROWN: Sure. A “mat kit” consists of a mat, a backing and a sealable polybag. What you do is take a couple of pieces of tape to affix the print to the mat. A couple more pieces of tape are used to attach the backing to give it a sturdy, professional look. Then you simply insert it into the polybag. It’s ready to sell at that point.

INTERVIEWER: That sounds very easy. How long does it take?

JIMMY D. BROWN: It IS very easy. Even my ten year old can do it. It takes about a minute. In fact, we have a training video at our site which shows the entire process.

INTERVIEWER: Okay, so at this point they’ve downloaded the print. They’ve printed it out and either put it into a picture frame or a “mat kit”. I know the next question that people are thinking, so I’ve gotta ask it: what now? How do they sell them?

JIMMY D. BROWN: If they have their own retail store, then it’s just a matter of displaying them in their store for regular customers to purchase. Of course, owning a retail store isn’t a requirement. This is a perfect “work from home” business. We have five training reports which teach members in a step-by-step format how to sell the prints in a variety of ways ranging from flea markets and craft malls to retail locations to fundraisers to in-home events and more.

INTERVIEWER: So you’ve got this covered?

JIMMY D. BROWN: Yes, absolutely.

INTERVIEWER: What makes this business opportunity different from others?

JIMMY D. BROWN: There are a lot of things that are unique about the business, but there are two that stand out in my mind as significant – profitability and setup.

INTERVIEWER: Okay, explain.

JIMMY D. BROWN: Well in terms of profitability, the profit margin is very nice for these designs. An 11″X14″ double matted design in a polybag has a retail value of $24.99. They cost about $2.00 – $2.50 to create. So, if you sell the $24.99 product for a huge discount price of $10.00 and you only have $2.00 in it, you’ve got a 500% markup. That’s a very nice return.

INTERVIEWER: Most retailers have a 100% markup don’t they?

JIMMY D. BROWN: That’s the aim in a lot of instances. If you sell something for $10, you probably have $5 in it. In this case if you sell it for $10, you have $2 in it.

INTERVIEWER: You say that you have $2 in it, how does that work?

JIMMY D. BROWN: An 8″X10″ print costs about a quarter. An 11″X14″ double matted “mat kit” costs about $1.75-$2.25 depending on where you get them and how many you buy. So after you spend the minute assembling the kit you have $2.00-$2.50 in it.

INTERVIEWER: That’s amazing. Do you tell members where they can buy these “mat kits” and even picture frames like you buy them?

JIMMY D. BROWN: Yes, we give them our exact sources so they can use the same vendors we use.

INTERVIEWER: Jimmy, we’re about out of time, so let me ask one final question: is this really a “Christian” business opportunity or is that just an angle to get church folks to join you?

JIMMY D. BROWN: It’s most definitely a “Christian” business. I’ve been a believer since 1984 and am active in my church. I teach adult Bible studies, have been on mission trips from local to international, publish a Christian newsletter and try to live out my faith in everything I do. Our goal with this business is to give believers an opportunity to generate supplemental or full-time income and, more importantly, to get Scripture into homes everywhere to remind us all of our Savior and His teachings.

INTERVIEWER: Jimmy, it’s been great talking with you today. Thanks for joining us.

JIMMY D. BROWN: It’s been my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

———

If you’re looking for a Christian home-based business, then consider Insprints. You can drop by the site to take the free tour to learn more about it. (Hint: Watch the really short videos – less than 5 minutes.)

It’s a great way to share Scripture, stay true to your Christian values and earn income from the comfort of your home.

Take the free tour at: http://www.jesuschrist.co.uk/go/christianinsprints

Play Worship Guitar is an online Christian guitar course that offers amazing value for money. Coming in at over 100 lessons, plus bonus lessons for electric guitar, online tuner and metronome and more, Play Worship Guitar quite honestly blew me away when I found out just how much is made available to members once they join the course.

I had promoted the course for several months on various sites I own, having spoken with the guys who developed the course, and I was confident that the product was excellent. Recently however, my own 10 year old son decided that he wanted to learn to play the guitar. Having dutifully purchased a guitar the right size for him, my next stop was Aaron Anastasi’s Play Worship Guitar site to grab a membership for myself so my son could enjoy learning the guitar from a Christian perspective.

I was not disappointed. They say that the proof is in the pudding – and with on days of watching the videos and practicing the Play Worship Guitar exercises, Luke (my boy) was coming and teaching me new things that he had learned already, like how to tune a guitar by ear, and two or three chords he was already beginning to master.

The course is conducted online, with 9 modules covering step-by-step instructions to develop your guitar playing skills and technique. Each lesson builds on the previous ones. Some of the videos are short 5 minute instruction on a very particular worship guitar technique, other are 15 or so minutes or more, and really put you through your guitar playing paces.

I cannot recommend the Play Worship Guitar course highly enough, especially at the amazing price that Aaron and the team are offering the entire course for at the moment (use the link on this page to grab the course at the promotional prices). In fact I was so impressed I even pulled out my old steel string acoustic, dusted it down and purchased a new E string that needed replacing, so I could enjoy and learn from the course myself.

I have included some images of  the members area below, as well as some images of the bonus books that are made available to members of the Play Worship Guitar course for your interest.

The course comes with a no-questions-asked money back guarantee that can be claimed any time in the first 60 days – plenty of time to thoroughly check out what it has to offer. If you are looking to learn to play the guitar in Christian worship, I would honestly say this is a no-brainer. Go for it!

To check out the Play Worship Guitar Course, just click the link below.

http://www.jesuschrist.co.uk/go/playworshipguitar

By Jimmy D. Brown

As a Christian businessman since 1994, one of the questions that I get asked is this:

“How can I grow my business and yet remain true to my Christian values?”

In answering that question, I refer to the acronym “G.R.O.W.” to share what I consider to be four necessary parts of growing a home business (or any business) that is consistent with our faith as followers of Christ.

G – GAMEPLAN.

It begins with planning. While it’s true that we aren’t to “boast” about tomorrow (Psalm 27:1, James 4:13-16), there isn’t anything unbiblical about making plans for our future.

The Lord told Joshua that He had plans for his life. (Jeremiah 29:11). The Apostle Paul and Barnabas planned on visiting their brethren together in “every city we have preached the word of the Lord”. (Acts 15:36) Even Jesus alluded to advance preparation when He told a parable about counting the cost of following Him as a disciple. (Luke 14:28-31)

The only time planning is unbiblical is when it is misaligned with God’s will.

It’s from that foundation that we should do two important things:

1) Pray for INITIAL guidance.

Before we get involved in any business, it’s important to seek God’s face in the matter. This is a big, big thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly. If we start a business and it’s not what God wants, it’s disobedience. If we fail to start a business and it is what God wants, it’s disobedience.

Our primary course of action is to align ourselves with God’s will for our lives. And that includes business.

The Bible teaches that if we pray for wisdom, God will give it to us. (James 1:5) It teaches that if we trust in Him for guidance, He’ll show us the way. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Scripture says clearly that if we seek first His kingdom, everything else will be provided for. (Matthew 6:33)

So, the first step in getting a gameplan in place is asking God up front: is this for me? Is that a business that you want me involved in? Is now the right time?

Once we know that we are aligned to God’s plan, we can launch a business and then…

2) Pray for ONGOING guidance.

When we have started a business, it becomes paramount that we continue to actively go before God in prayer and ask Him to guide our decision-making as we conduct our business.

There are a lot of variables in business. A lot of options. A myriad of choices. How in the world can we possible make the right calls apart from Him? The short answer is: we can’t.

We need the Lord. Apart from Him we can do nothing. (Matthew 15:5) But as we yield ourselves to His will we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

As you plan out both short-term and long-term action steps, ask the Lord to lead you. When you make decisions, both big and small, pray through them carefully. Success isn’t about dollars, it’s about obedience. If God has put you into business, He will help you run that business as long as you remain faithful to Him as your master. You can’t serve the business and God simultaneously. (Matthew 6:24)

As God leads you to make plans for you business, there’s another thing to consider…

R – REPETITION.

Strictly from a business standpoint, it’s much easier to sell more to an existing customer than it is to find and sell to a new customer. Existing customers already know about you. They have already done business with you. They already trust you. Getting them to buy more from you in the future is much easier than overcoming the barriers of finding and convincing others to buy from you.

Repeat business is critical to success, but it only works if they are SATISFIED customers. You want them to spend money with you month after month, but they won’t do it unless you follow one simple rule that you should have learned in Sunday School as a child:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – Matthew 7:12

How do you want to be treated as a customer? That’s exactly how you should treat others.

Stop what you’re doing and take a quick inventory. Answer that question on paper. “How do YOU want to be treated as a customer?” Right down your response. List everything you can think of. Let that list be a reminder that you are doing business with people who are made in the image of God. You are doing business with people God loves.

Treat them like you want to be treated. Treat them like God wants you to treat them.

How do you do that? It’s all about your…

O – OFFER.

Again, strictly from a business standpoint, there is a formula that I use to describe what it means to treat others as we want to be treated…

Quality Product + Value + Discount or Incentive + Great Service = Sale

Each of these parts is important.

It begins with having a quality product. Add in a fair price. Give them a discount on the price or a bonus with their purchase. Serve them well. That’s how you get a sale. That’s how you get REPEAT sales.

Once I was in the lobby of a hotel and picked up a pack of peanut butter and crackers that you could buy for 50 cents at any convenience store. When I placed them on the counter to pay, the clerk said, “That’ll be $3.00.” She didn’t get the sale. And she certainly didn’t get repeat sales.

There’s convenience. And then there’s taking advantage of people.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is simply this: If you can’t sincerely ask God to bless it, then don’t do it.

Look at your OFFER – can you truly ask for God’s blessings? If what your business offers is overpriced, poorly created, misrepresented or takes advantage of your customers, then it doesn’t honor God. Your offer should be something you’d be unashamed to give to your King.

If it’s not, then make some adjustments. Change your price. Increase your quality. Provide better service. Present it properly.

After all, the bottom line is…

W – WITNESS.

Your business is an part of your life and as such it is a part of your testimony to others. You are a “Christian” business owner regardless of what you sell.

“Christian” is the adjective that should describe everything about your business: what business you’re in, what you offer, how you treat your customers and workers, the way you run it. Everything about your business should be consistent with the Gospel.

Wherever you’re at and whatever you’re doing, you’re to be about glorifying God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) That includes – and perhaps is especially true of – your business. Your faith is on public display in every transaction. It’s visible to all those who see your business.

Your business should never be more about money than it is the Master. That kind of love leads to all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10). Instead, you should use your business as not only a way to provide for your family, but more importantly, a vehicle by which you can share you faith in Christ.

That’s how you G.R.O.W. your Christian home business. You align yourself with God’s plan. You treat customers they way you want to be treated. You make an offer that God will bless. And you use your business to bear witness to Jesus.

Regardless of how MUCH or how LITTLE you make, that’s a business worth owning.

——

If you’re looking for a Christian home-based business, then consider Insprints. You can drop by the site to take the free tour to learn more about it. (Hint: Watch the really short videos – less than 5 minutes.)

It’s a great way to share Scripture, stay true to your Christian values and earn income from the comfort of your home.

Take the free tour at: http://www.jesuschrist.co.uk/go/christianinsprints

Larna Martin, Author of ‘Dancing God’s Way’ has just released a brand new Christian dance book about how to build a strong, anointed dance team.

Larna has been developing dancers and dance teams for many years now and her new book concentrates many of the lessons she has learned, both spiritual and practical, into 70 packed pages that will inspire anyone with an interest in Christian praise dance.

You can check out the new book here…

http://www.praisedancetoday.com/building-gods-team-of-dancers/

KEY No.1 – Purchase a Bible that you enjoy reading

This may seem completely obvious to some but I still think it is important to mention. One of the things to remember when engaging in any endeavour is that we are a complete person. There is not a spiritual part of our life, and then a separate mental part, and then again another part of us that is physical.

Certainly we can break down the make up of a human into the three parts, spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23), but these, although distinct, are not separate.

• Large enough print so it is not difficult to read
• A translation that you are able to understand (*see recommended translations at the end of this post)
• A decent hardwearing cover (leather is best if you can afford it)
• Reasonably thick pages that will allow you to highlight, underline and make notes on the page without showing through on the other side of the paper.
• Something that feels good in your hand, that you will want to pick up and read!

Recommended Translations

As you probably already know, there are many different translations of the Bible. Some are more accurate than others. In a later post I may go into the differences between but here I will simply list what I consider to be some of the best.

Some of the most popular, enduring and accurate translations are the King James Version, the New King James and the New American Standard. Other notable Bible’s worth having in your collection include the Amplified, the NIV and the New Living translation. This list is not comprehensive, and each of these translations have their pros and cons. The important thing to do is find a translation that is both accurate, understandable and enjoyable to read.

Where to buy a Bible?

Try your local Christian Bookstores. There are so  many different places on the Internet specialise in Christian books and resources that you can purchase quality Bibles such as www.bibleco.com or Christianbook.com