Faith, Finances & Flexibility: How to Earn Income Without Compromising Your Values with Mercedes Eckert

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Hi.

Today on podcast, I can't wait to welcome our guest.

She is going to share so much with us, but one of the things we're going to talk about today is how can we still honor God?

How can we walk in more purpose that he's calling us into, but also bring in income or extra money for our families?

Whether we already work, whether we are at home, whether we have a business, there's always other ways to just try to help support our families.

So we're going to talk about that today.

So I want to welcome our guest.

Her name is Mercedes Eckert and she's the founder and CEO of iShop.

It's the fastest growing mystery shopping organization globally.

And as a woman of faith, she focuses on empowering Christian women to create flexible, purpose aligned income through mystery shopping opportunities.

She's helped over 17,000 people, mostly women, discover how to transform their everyday activities into meaningful income streams that honor their family priorities and faith values.

And I just love it because she really is helping them through her business experience, her leadership and then stepping into this space.

Help women bring in, like I said, more income or their first part of income and still be able to set their own priorities for their life and be intentional with the way they're living, especially when our kids are younger or, you know, or we just want to be more available.

Right.

It could be aging parents.

There's so many reasons why we might want flexibility and, you know, income.

So welcome to the show, Mercedes.

Thanks for having me, Kristen.

I'm excited to be here.

Absolutely.

I love it.

And you know, I think one of the conversations that we don't have enough, although I definitely hear it talked about in more circles now, is how can we as women still, you know, walk a godly wife life, but also be women that bring in income if that's something that's important to us.

Right.

Or it's something that we need to do to help support our family?

And so I love that we're talking about that today.

Can we start off with you just sharing a little bit about what life looks like, how you Got into this and how this really has helped women, you know, over the time.

Time you've been in this industry.

Yeah, absolutely.

Well, I will say what life looks like today is never what I would have imagined.

I am, I'm married, I have two children which they are now 19 and 17.

How that happened so fast, I don't know.

And so my day to day life is helping women, like you said, helping men and women, but mostly women, create this income stream.

It's being able to have that flexibility personally for myself to hang with my husband, to be there when the kids need me, to be there when my dog needs me, who is right, right across the way looking at me like, mom, what are you doing?

But it, my life is, is such a blessing.

I know that this season of life doesn't happen by accident and God has really blessed me and my family with, with this opportunity to bless others.

And, and so these days life is, is really nice and flexible and you know, I, I, for lack of better words like living the dream, I could not ask for a better season of life right now.

So why don't you just tell us how did you get into this or, or what did life look like that made you step out of, I think you were doing corporate at some point and into mystery shopping.

It's a, it is a story for the books.

Listen, I started out in retail, left my job in retail because it was just so, there's just so many things that just my mental health, it was just affected, you know, anxiety, waking up, like, oh, I don't really, really want to go in and caddy co workers and things like that.

And, and I'm sure a lot of people listening can relate to those feelings of going into a work environment that you're, you're with people that are not edifying you and so it's straining.

So I was working that job and I, I ended up leaving without a plan.

And I remember walking out and saying, God, I don't know what is going to happen, how I'm going to pay my bills.

You know, I made a leap of faith.

It wasn't like a smart, calculated move.

It was a, I can't take another day, I'm sorry, I'm, I'm walking out, I'm not coming back.

And from that day, I can tell you I remember a weight lifting off my shoulders.

Some other doors opened for me, more in that corporate world working with a financial advisor.

So doors started to open and so I was, started working here and doing a little there.

And then came the Opportunity to mystery shop.

And I had heard of mystery shopping back in my Bible college days.

And I remember you guys, oh, my gosh, back then, like, Google wasn't even as efficient.

I remember trying to figure it out, and I'm like, everything looks like a scam.

This must not exist.

So I kind of never thought about it again.

And so here I am.

I was dating my husband then, and we decided to do a little double date with one of his friends and another young lady, and she ended up helping me get my foot in the industry.

And so to make a long story short, once I got my foot in the industry and I married my husband two weeks after we got back from our honeymoon, he injured himself where he could not work for, like six weeks, he was out.

And I remember thinking, oh, my goodness.

I mean, brand new married.

How are we going to do this?

That's when I thought, well, I.

I had just found out about mystery shopping, had been doing it, But I was like, you know what?

I'm just gonna have to.

I'm just gonna have to buckle up and do some more mystery shops.

And I remember that first, it was like Saturday, he was off of work.

He really couldn't get around.

But I said, hey, I will be back.

I'm gonna go do some mystery shops.

And in four hours, I had made what I would have made in one week or he would have made in one week.

I made that in.

Remember feeling like the windows of heaven just opened up and you had that cartoon moment, like, oh, you know, And I'm like, oh, my gosh, Lord, you just gave us an income stream that is out of this world.

And so everything changed from that moment.

Oh, my gosh, I love that.

You know, I've talked to other women before that started businesses, and often it's actually, there's that pivotal moment right?

Where they.

They were starting something.

You had learned about it and you were starting to do this.

But it was like all of a sudden when you realize you made money in that day or more money, that you were like, I can do this, right?

When we shift and have the confidence in ourselves.

Not that you didn't before, but you know what I'm saying?

Like, there's a shift where you go, exactly.

Wait, not okay, I'm gonna try this out.

But like, no, I can do this like this, right?

And it's kind of like everything changes because now you realized, like, this is a serious.

Like, this can actually bring in the income we need, right?

It's not.

I Was you're not just doing it for, for peanuts, if you will.

Right.

You realize it could really be a serious, you know, revenue generator for you.

So I love.

Yeah.

So good.

Okay, so first of all, there may be some people, I think most of us probably heard about mystery shopping, but maybe we don't know much about it.

So do you want to just give us like a.

A little short.

What is it?

And why do people, you know, why do businesses want it?

And then what does somebody that is a mystery shopper do?

Yeah, so mystery shopping is a form of market research.

So it's used by businesses big and small, Fortune 500 companies, mom pop shops.

And, and they use it to gauge the customer experience and.

Right.

And at the end of the day, it's about making their bottom line better.

Right.

And, and, and so they are able to use the data that they receive from mystery shoppers to improve their businesses.

So on the mystery shopper side, a mystery shopper is just somebody that pretends to be a regular customer inside of different businesses, but they're actually there to evaluate and gauge the customer experience.

And yeah, it's, it's great.

It's.

It's very easy concept to understand, but unfortunately, I think the public just hasn't been made aware of truly the nuts and bolts of it.

Yeah, I love it.

That was a great explanation.

Okay, so let me ask you this.

You know, you have helped so many people do or use mystery shopping to bring in revenue.

And so tell us a little bit about how can somebody that might be hearing this say, you know what?

I either am I at home or for whatever reason.

Right.

But I really could use, I could make some more money.

Obviously you have to leave your house for this type of mystery shopping typically, but.

Or they already are making an income, but they'd really like extra money.

Right.

For it to go further or to do other things.

Maybe to put it into a vacation fund or maybe it's to pay the bills or, you know, or invest in their future dream.

So what would you just share with us about how does somebody get into this and why would they want to consider it and maybe who it's good for?

Yeah.

So honestly, this is good for anyone who is looking to supplement or replace their income.

There are some skills that, you know, people need to have, which is like basic grammar skills, computer.

Basic computer skills.

And you've got transportation to get to the places.

It's very minimal on the criteria, but if you fit those and you're looking for extra money, or maybe you just need to cut down on household expenses.

So this is what makes mystery shopping so unique, right?

Not only do you make money, but you also get a lot of free things.

And when I say free things, I mean free groceries, free car, oil changes, free flights, air, not air, hotel, stay.

Those are just some of the things that you can get for free.

Because as a mystery shopper, a lot of times when you go into these businesses, it would be really weird to go into a restaurant, sit down and not order any food.

Right?

So, you know, you have to blend in with the other customers to make yourself not stand out.

So therefore they would pay you, reimburse you to get dinner.

And so your dinner could be free.

And so this is why I love that God did this for me and now thousands of other people is because when God blesses you, I'm telling you, he blesses you good.

And it wasn't just a thing where I'm like ripping and running and, and trying to make a profit or even, you know, just spinning my wheels.

It was not only bringing in income, but it also knocks down those household expenses.

Right.

So even if you're like, well, I'm, we're good financially, I don't, I don't need a lot of extra money.

But you know, hey, if we could cut down on, we eat out a lot.

If we could cut down on those expenses or getting your car oil change, I mean, there's no sense in paying for some of these things that we spend our hard earned money on when you can get them for free.

Yeah, absolutely.

So good.

Okay.

So I love that you, you know, one, you also have the leadership background, you know, you have now you have business background.

And so why don't you tell us about.

How do you discern God's guidance when you're trying to decide like is.

Is bringing in additional income maybe the right, is it the right time for somebody, you know, whatever it is that they're thinking about and they're trying to discern right now.

What could you share with us?

Absolutely.

Well, number one, talking to God and hearing his voice is the best thing you can do, right?

And sometimes it's so hard to hear because we've got that.

We got soccer games, we've got basketball games, we're driving the kids here and there.

And we've got this, and you've got your marriage, all these things that are happening on a daily basis.

Sometimes it's like, God, where are you?

I'm in my prayer closet and I'm asking you, and I don't hear Anything.

Right.

I, I think this is something that we've all, all been through.

And so I, my advice is to remember that God doesn't always speak when we want him to, and he doesn't always speak how we want to.

So be open to him speaking to you in different forms or different ways.

Right.

To discern his voice.

And what I will say is that in my life experience, God has just.

And I like to say this, and I think it's in the book of.

I think it might be psalms or it's job.

Sorry.

He makes my footsteps like butter.

And that is my prayer for everybody.

So many things in my life that have gotten me to where I am today.

I'm like, I didn't have to really fight for that.

Why was that so easy?

God's.

God's not about making you do so much hard stuff.

You're wore out.

Like, the Bible says that, you know, he.

Every perfect gift is from Him.

Right.

So everything he's done in my life and I've seen Him do in other people's life, it can be so easy.

And just don't stress is.

Is what I'm saying.

So those of you who might be listening, who are trying to hear the voice of God, listen and, and be open for him to speak in different ways.

And I promise you that when he does it and he blesses you and he gives you guidance, it's not going to be a fight.

It's just going to come so easily and feel like the natural thing to do, like an aha moment, you know, so let it just be like that.

Butter.

I love it.

You know, I've heard before, you know, various times.

But they say that God is trying to confirm.

Right.

He wants to help us know something's right.

But it's normally the devil that's going to confuse us.

Right.

In other words, to your point, is he.

God isn't trying to confuse us.

He isn't trying to, you know, make the path blurry.

Yeah.

We might not know the whole path.

Right.

But he does want to show us that next step.

Right.

And so we can have confidence, confidence in that.

And then also like you said, it's.

We're going to get confirmation different ways, you know, like you said.

But.

But he also is looking for us to step out and be obedient by actually doing stuff.

Right.

In other words, sometimes I think as Christians, we want to wait on God.

Oh, you're preaching now, girl.

Yeah, and I think I've done that before, too.

You know, you're thinking like oh, well, I'm waiting for a more confirmation, But a lot of times if we already feel a prompting, it's because he's waiting for us to be obedient and take a little step.

That could be any step, like going and researching siding, like, how do I make income?

That could be right.

Going into a networking event.

Right.

It could be asking your girlfriend how.

How are you selling your extra stuff for money?

Right.

Like, in other words, sometimes it's just us taking that little step and having that willingness or that bravery to just ask someone or research something or buy the book on something, you know, or sign up for, you know, becoming a shopper or whatever it might be.

You know, I think we have to remember that as well.

Yeah, I think.

And.

And you made me think of this.

You need to be able to discern between waiting on God and your fear.

Because there's a lot of people who say, oh, I'm waiting on the Lord.

No, you're walking in fear because you're too scared to step out.

And I have seen waste decades waiting on something very minute from an outside perspective.

I'm like, listen, it's time to put one foot in.

If.

If God doesn't want you to go any further, you step, then he'll.

He'll stop it.

He'll shut the door or something.

But you've got to move.

So, yes.

That discernment between God knowing to when to wait and when it's your fear keeping you back.

Yep, absolutely.

I love it.

So let me ask you this.

You know, I love that you talk about that when we can do a business or make income, that allows us to be intentional, to put our own values right.

Maybe our family, whatever it is, all these things.

First, can you talk to us a little bit about how does someone keep those boundaries, though?

Because you are in a job and most of us have been at some point.

Maybe we are right now in a job that you just feel like don't align with your values, or maybe it doesn't align with that.

You want to be as available to your family.

And so what would you just share with us?

What would you speak to us about?

How do we have those boundaries and how do we move towards protecting them and actually living a life where it's as it's intentional and we are living the way we want to.

Right.

So when I was working in retail, it kept me from going to church every Sunday.

I mean, it was like, you got to work 12 to 6 every Sunday.

And I'm like, I didn't.

And that goes to a bigger part of my story.

But I didn't come here to.

I moved where I was because God had told me to with, with some people that had started a church.

And I'm like, I didn't come here not to go to church, you know, like move out of state because of a church and then have to get a job that doesn't allow me to go to church.

Right.

And so being prayerful about that is what I was doing during that time.

And also if I got an opportunity to not work a Sunday, you know what I mean?

Like, so when those opportunities come, taking those.

And then also being intentional with the, for instance, like the co workers that I had, none of them were Christian.

And you have to recognize too, that part of your frustration and some of those things that seem like they're pushing your boundaries could be an opportunity for you to minister or to be the light.

So being able to walk out my rel.

Should I say relationship with God or my Christianity, you know what I mean?

To be able to walk that out at work.

It actually helped me with my boundaries and not letting people, you know, kind of come into that because they kind of get that instant reverence a little bit like, oh, let me not say this around this person.

It's considered offensive and things like that.

So I, I think just being authentically you and your relationship and your walk with the Lord and then any opportunities that come, taking those, that's how you set, you know, the.

Some ways that you can set boundaries and not be so, like, cut and dry with it.

So one thing I talk about on some of my episodes, and you, I know you had it as well in your, you know, kind of some of the things you talk about is how our work can be our ministry and actually just our lives, I think really.

And so what would you just share with our listeners?

Because I think this is really an important point.

If someone maybe hasn't heard this before or maybe it hasn't sunk in that ministry isn't just when you have an actual thing called a ministry or when you're working in the church.

So what would you just share with us about what you've learned about how your business is really an extension of, of your.

Of God's ministry.

Exactly.

So I grew up as a pastor's kid.

My Pastor's parented for 20 something years.

So I know what, I know all the lingo and the expectations of in, in the.

Actually some of the things that we as Christians have gotten wrong so far so long in the church oh, everybody's called to be a.

One of the fivefold offices, or you're called to be a minister or a pastor.

How many times did you hear your call to be an employee at McDonald's?

You know, we, we look down at so many other sectors.

Well, you know, you work your way up to this position.

I don't care.

And you know what?

Actually, I watched a documentary a long time ago, and it was about.

It was a Christian documentary about some kids.

And one of the little girls said they asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, and they.

She said, I want to be a nail technician because I want to be able to have that.

That time with my customers, to be able to share the good news of Jesus.

And that forever changed how I looked at work.

So it really doesn't matter where, what kind of job you have, where you're at.

We're called to be the light in any situation, right?

You don't hide, Hide a light.

It.

Right.

It shines out in the darkness.

So as far as using your.

Whatever your occupation is to, to be a light, think of different creative ways.

Personally, with this business, I, I didn't start it with a goal of, well, I'm going to change people's lives and spread the gospel, but by being myself, you can't talk to me without me mentioning God, you're gonna know, right?

I, I don't hide it.

And so I started to notice, I'm getting a lot of people that, you know, they might have other beliefs, they might not have any religious beliefs.

And.

But then I started noticing, like, things that they would say would almost mimic or be piggybacking off of something in my life that, that had to do with God.

And I'm like, oh, my gosh.

And then I started having people tell me testimonies, like I was praying and this.

And then you popped up or this happened.

And so I started to see slowly but surely how God was using this crazy thing called mystery shopping as a tool for me to actually live out my walk with God and be able to be a light.

And so I don't.

I'm not intentionally out there.

Like, you need Jesus and let me give you the, the.

The ten Commandments and, And that whole spiel.

I'm not doing that.

I'm just being myself.

I bring up the Lord when I bring up.

It's just being myself.

And so it, I love this topic because it's just so good, because I really feel like wherever you are, you can be the light.

And it doesn't have to be inside of the church.

It doesn't have to be on the pulpit, off the pulpit.

It literally can be.

You're an employee at McDonald's.

You're a nail technician.

Right.

You're an X ray tech, whatever it is, use that opportunity to be the light.

And yeah, it's.

It.

That's the only way.

That's the only way, really, truly to share the gospel outside of the four walls of the church.

Yeah.

You know, and people may differ, right.

On this, and I understand, obviously, the Great Commission and all that, but I think also there's different.

People have different personalities and kind of how they approach faith with other people, you know, and like you said, I love the.

The idea of that we're all trying to be the light, but it's not that we have to push scripture down people's throat when we just met them or, you know, it's.

It's how we're acting.

It's how we're caring for people, how we're showing people kindness.

Right.

In other words, it's how we show up day in and day out, starts to allow there to be conversation.

A lot of times with people.

It might take a little longer sometimes that way.

So, you know, I think it's.

Everybody might do it a little different or feel they might be at a different place in their journey with how they feel comfortable with that.

But I think it's that by the way you're living, you will.

There will be a difference.

Right.

And people start to notice, and then they ask you about it, you know, like, tell me more about this.

You know, why do you seem like you can handle, you know, even when circumstances are hard, or why do you.

Right.

And so I think sometimes it's just by doing what we do, where we do it, that allows conversations to also come up.

You know, of course, things like I've heard, I heard on K Love a couple months ago, one of the people, DJs or whatever or whatever they call them, she said she was in a different country on vacation and they were praying, you know, before their meal and which, of course, you know, I do that with most of the people when I'm out.

You know, obviously some of my groups is, you know, it's mixed groups and we don't do that maybe as much, but I might just do it to myself.

But she said that a woman had gone in the bathroom at the same time as her in this foreign country and said, you know, I don't even know that I believe in prayer, but would you pray for my marriage because she saw them praying and she, you know, but my point is, is sometimes it's just doing what we do as Christians that people take notice.

And so when we do that in our workplace.

Right.

In other words, you're not even trying to tell someone else, like, oh, this is what I believe and you should.

Right.

It's that by doing what we do, what we believe, people, when they're ready to see or notice or hear, sometimes will also approach us because of our actions.

You know, so good, so good.

And I mean, that's what Jesus did.

You know he had 12 co workers.

Maybe not co, but you know what I mean?

He had co workers that spent three years with him.

Yeah.

Being around him all the time, learning how he responded, seeing what he did, that's all he's called us to do.

He never was, what's the word?

He never shoved anything down anybody's throat.

He would tell them the truth, but he just lived.

He lived it out.

And I think that especially in today's age, with the past, I don't know, however many decades that a lot of Christians have spent kind of ruining our reputation.

Right.

And so now people don't want to hear it.

You know, the ways that may have worked before don't really work anymore.

People, people have heard it.

They think you're judgmental.

They think all it, it doesn't work because it was never supposed to be that way anyway.

We're supposed to live our life.

And so if you're somebody, if you're a Christ follower, you have integrity, you have the fruits of the spirit.

No, you're not going to be perfect, but walking in that integrity and, and the fruits of the spirit, people are going, you can't be around.

Now this might not be the, the greatest, but what I'm saying is like you can't be around fire and not get burnt, but fire in a good way.

You know what I mean?

Like, they're not going to be able to be around you and not feel something and not be curious when you're walking in, in those things.

So.

Absolutely.

So good.

Okay, so what would you just share with people?

Maybe they're listening and one of the reasons maybe they tuned into this particular episode is because, you know, we've already talked a little bit, but we'll talk a little bit more about how can you build income or how can you have faith driven financial freedom?

Like what would you just want to encourage people in that way, you know, as to maybe they, they don't feel like they haven't reached that yet.

You know, like you said, they, they don't really know, you know, how they're going to get extra income yet, you know, or like I said, maybe they're saving for something.

Or like you said, maybe they just want to lower their spending.

What would you just, how would you encourage them moving forward?

Yeah, well, I would encourage anybody who's feeling kind of like in that stuck mode of not knowing, like, what to do and what's going to work.

Pray and God will send you the answer.

Right.

It could be this podcast episode, it might be another one.

It might be something that somebody says that sparks, you know, something in your, your mind.

It goes back to what I said about being able to listen to God in, in the various ways that he speaks and understand that it's okay to be frustrated.

Right.

We all, we all have those seasons, but know that seasons change.

And so it doesn't have to always be this way.

As long as you're listening to the voice of God and, and discerning the times and seasons right there.

There are definitely times where I've been in like, oh my gosh, I've got to get out of this season.

I'm going crazy.

Like, this is happening and it's just not working.

And I just obviously am prayerful, but recognize like, okay, God, I'm in this season.

How do I walk in this season?

With some peace and grace until, you know, you light that next step of the path.

And so just giving yourself some grace and knowing that it's okay to be, to be frustrated or, you know, upset, but just know that seasons change and it will, will come.

There's nothing that, there's nothing that I can say that's like this, do this.

Here's the three step process to changing this.

Like, we love to read all these books, right?

And, and they're helpful, but at the same time, like, sometimes advice is just so simple.

Right.

We have a flood going on right now in, in my area, I'm in Indiana.

There's just water everywhere.

There's nothing anybody can do.

I mean, they shut off some roads.

Just gotta wait for it to go down.

Right.

You have to have some patience.

And so.

But you'll get through it because this too will pass.

Absolutely.

I mean, you know, recently I've been in one of those, you know, waiting seasons.

And not only waiting, but, you know, like a season of grief.

You know, there were some, we had some loss this year, earlier this year.

And you know, I just, there would be days where I would Come to try to sit at my computer and get stuff done.

And it.

I might get something done, but it just felt.

Just couldn't do it.

Right.

But it's just.

I just had to walk through that, you know what I'm saying?

Like, because sometimes we do have such stress and obviously we want to, you know, work on that word loss, whatever it might be, right?

Somebody could be, you know, have had a surgery.

So I think, like you said, you.

We have to give ourselves and others grace because there are.

And there is an ebb and a flow and there are seasons, like you said.

And, you know, if I had thought, oh, nothing's going to change, even though there was several losses in our family, you know, in.

In our neighborhood too, in a row, well, it just wasn't realistic, right?

I tried.

I tried, but you can't force something when you need space, Right?

Exactly.

It's a process or whatever.

Or maybe you train, you're transitioning in a different season.

And so it's the same.

It's every season, and everything is going.

Sometimes it's a preparation season, right.

Sometimes it's a processing season, sometimes it's a waiting season, you know, but that is always working in us.

We just have to be, like you said, give ourselves grace and be patient that something is coming.

Right?

Something will change, but it's not exactly so good.

So let me ask you, okay, so since you obviously, you know, you are the woman, right, you're the mystery shopping pro here, what would you just want to share with us about how to begin a journey?

If someone's interested in that, obviously, I know you started ishopping.

That's where your focus is.

But what would you just want to share with us about that.

That we have?

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

So through I shop, we.

We help people who want to get started.

Because I know, like, just going back when I got.

Was no, there was no manual, right?

There was no how do you do this?

What's the ins and outs?

And so that's a big part of what we do.

So we do offer a free webinar for anybody that would be interested in getting more details on getting started.

But yeah, I mean, we would.

We would love if.

If anyone listening feels maybe this is something that is tugging on you a little bit, like to check it out.

We could definitely point you in the right direction and, and give you all the.

That you need to decide whether or not this is something that you want to give a try.

You know, as long as you're at least 18 years or older and you got transportation, Internet access, some good writing and grammar.

You can do this.

It's not rocket science and it really is.

It really is a blessing.

So, yeah.

So let me ask you, before you share with people, you know, where what your website is, info is and everything, just any last words of encouragement or just anything that's just speaking to you.

It could be scripture, you know, just anything that's lifting you up that you'd like to share with other people?

Well, yeah, absolutely.

You know, if you've been listening to this, and I would say, like what we were talking about earlier that hit, that did something to me that was about the waiting, the waiting season and really knowing whether it's fear holding you back or not.

Because I would not be surprised if many people who are watching this are dealing with a form of fear.

And just to remember that God's not given us a spirit of fear, but a power of love and a sound mind.

And so hold on to that and whatever it is that is standing in front of you or you're standing in front of whatever door opportunity is, just do it.

Just try it out, you know, prayerfully.

Yep, I love it.

Okay.

So, Mercedes, can you share with us, how can people learn more about you and about I shop if they're interested in those.

Either of those things?

Yeah, absolutely.

So I'm on all social media.

It's kind of scary.

So you can look me up and find me very easily.

If you're interested in the mystery shopping portion of things, you can also find I shop on our website.

It is www.ishop, a GP that stands for and get paid.

I shop and get paid.com and you can get started there.

Oh, I love it.

Thank you so much for coming on and sharing with us today.

Just, well, one encouraging, you know, all of us just to take that next step right, to, you know, move when we think God might be trying to tell us to move for knowing that there is a way to either replace our income and being more intentional with how we live or to bring in additional income or just build another revenue stream.

And just to encourage us that sometimes where we're at might not be the right place.

And I'm not saying people should just always just go quit their jobs, but other times might be just the time to do something new.

And sometimes people do that by trying that new opportunity before they leave.

But also I just say if you find yourself in a state situation where it's toxic or it's just exhausting you and praying and changing your perspective isn't shifting anything, right?

And just maybe it's time to look at some new opportunities, and maybe this is one of them.

So thank you for coming on and sharing your heart and sharing your time and sharing about mystery shopping.

Thank you so much for having me, Kristen.

It's been great.

Absolutely.

All right, friends, as we wrap up today, I just want to share a couple closing thoughts with you.

The first is I just wanted to bring Mercedes on and share with you one of hundreds of different ways that we might step into our next chapter, maybe doing something different.

Maybe our seasons changed and we're looking for new opportunities.

And so whether it's something like mystery shopping or something completely different, I just want to make sure that our hearts are open to new possibilities, that we are open to new opportunities.

Right.

She stepped into that because of a conversation when she went to dinner with another couple.

You know, a couple's dinner.

And so that's really the first thing.

And then just, you know, her perspective and what we talked about, about discerning what God might be trying to tell us, not waiting because it's because fear is holding us back.

Now, there are times when God is calling us to wait.

Right.

And to prepare.

But sometimes it's because we're afraid to take a new step or do something that we've never done before.

And the next thing I really just want to share with you is a quote that I just saw today and shared on my Instagram stories.

But at the end of the day, it's really how we're showing up in the world, and it's that we're showing up the way that God sees us.

You know, who he says we are is so much more important than where we go to work or how we make a living.

Of course those things can matter, and they do matter.

But here's the quote.

We think our work is the job we go to or the place we get a check from.

No, your work is the very special thing that you add to this world.

Your vision, your light, your love, what you share, what you create, how you make people feel, etc.

That, my friends, is truly our work.

And that's by Isso Tolson.

I just wanted to share that with you because it's such a good reminder, right?

It's how we're showing up in the world, how we're choosing to be Christlike in our homes, how we're choosing to be Christlike in whatever job we might be going to or however we choose to spend our time.

And so, friends, that truly is what matters.

Right.

At the end of the day, more so than how we, you know, where we clock in or where we make income or, or get a paycheck.

So I just want to encourage you be open to your next season.

I know I'm always as I'm changing, as my interests change over the decades, I'm open to looking at what that might mean for my future, you know, as far as how I work with people or the type of collaborations or opportunities that I want to step into.

And it can be scary.

But the point is, is it's something that I want to keep being curious about.

I want to iterate.

And it's because I know that if I'm doing the work I'm meant to do, the type of work I'm meant to do, then how I show up everywhere is going to be.

I'm going to be a better person.

Right.

When I'm doing things, let me be that light.

Let me share with the world my gifts.

Right.

And the things that I want to contribute in this lifetime.

So.

And I have a great freebie for you on my website.

It is called creating a life you love.

It is beyond the bucket lists.

It is a journaling workbook where there are so many pages for you to fill in.

And it's not a one day thing.

It is over time you would print and fill in the pages that most interest you.

But it really is about getting clear on the life that you want.

It's getting clear on the picture you have of your thoughts, your perceptions on how you see yourself.

It's getting clear on what are those things that you want to do, you know, what are your dreams, what are your goals.

It has areas for, you know, grateful lists.

It has so much to it and it's.

It's just this big, beautiful workbook that you can print.

It's free.

So head over to KristenFitch.com and it's on my freebies page.

But it is a great one to go and grab or share it with a friend.

Because if you're somebody that likes lists or you like to see things visually, you're going to love it.

So go grab that.

Because even when it has to do with new opportunities or new finding new income streams or making a little bit of, you know, extra money for vacations, that workbook has areas for, you know, what, what are our goals in the different areas of our lives.

So I think it will help you get clear on what's next for you if you haven't ever made the time.

It's definitely time to start.

Until next time.

I hope you have a great week.

Thanks again for listening to the show and if you enjoyed today's episode, we would love it if you could take a minute to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts because it helps our show get discovered by more people.