Eme Bassey is an African entrepreneur who has endured trials and setbacks along the road to success. Today, she is a respected innovator in the fashion and tech spaces. But the road has been filled with twists and turns along the way.

Depression and life-changing personal events recently forced her to re-examine her source of validation, reconsider her approach to entrepreneurship, and redefine her values as an entrepreneur.

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Africa shares Eme’s story to encourage all entrepreneurs as they discover their ultimate identities in Christ. Where do you find your validation? In your work or in Christ? That’s the very question Eme took head on just a few years ago.

This is how she described her season of searching:

Because I derived a significant part of my identity from my work and entrepreneurial successes, my business failures felt like personal shortcomings. The disappointments demoralised me, and I became depressed. I had to learn the hard way that I am not my work or my achievements, and I have realised how dangerous it is to draw self-worth from work or any other activity. It leads to a constant pursuit of external validation and a rollercoaster of emotions based on the results.

I have spent the last five months shedding a primary identity built around being an entrepreneur, dreamer, and builder—it has been a painful yet rewarding journey. Our identities shape every part of our lives, so I’ve been letting go of my work-centred identity and embracing my true identity as Abba's Beloved. I have had to let go of many other things in the process, but I am grateful because I have discovered a newfound sense of inner peace and heightened consciousness.

Eme now describes herself a steward who Abba has called to co-create with him. God has called her in an entirely new direction, which was overwhelming and frightening. However, Eme's refocused identity as a His Beloved reminded her that she no longer had to journey alone. This reminder has been a great source of comfort.

Currently, Eme is spearheading a number of new ventures, including UforoChat, CAFET, and FashOps. When we asked how she pursues entrepreneurship differently now that she identifies as a steward of God’s creativity and strengths, Eme pointed out 10 differences.

My vision for my business is to serve as a conduit for people to experience the love of the Father. As believers, our guiding principle is to love God and others like myself (Matthew 22:36-40). I constantly ask myself whether my customers, employees, and suppliers feel this love and whether I am putting their needs ahead of my interests and ego. It is a daunting task because society promotes the pursuit of profit over all else in the business. However, as a steward of Abba, I recognize that people should always take priority over profit. After all, Jesus came for people - for all of us.
I do not allow my emotions to shape my reality. On the days I get turned down by investors or the product team misses deadlines, I refuse to let my circumstances dictate my emotional state. As Gerald Duran wisely states, my circumstances will not be my thermostat. Instead, my identity in Christ sets the temperature. To maintain a steady emotional state, I channel the joy and peace I receive from my renewed spirit to my mind, which helps me reduce mood swings. Yes, it is easier said than done, but I am committed to this way of living.
I continually reorder my priorities: God is my first focus. I intentionally set aside time to spend with Him regularly, and I have noticed that when I neglect this practice, I become irritable, disoriented, and stressed, and my work suffers (Matthew 6:33, Joshua 1:8).
I hold myself accountable to both God and others. In the past, I acted according to my desires and had no one to answer to. Now, I seek counsel from trusted advisers before making critical decisions (Proverbs 11:14). More importantly, I prioritise allowing God's word to guide and correct me (2 Timothy 3:16).
Before I do, I ask. I do not start doing and get stuck before I ask (Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 37:5). I seek divine guidance and inspiration for innovative ideas (Isaiah 45:3), like the innovation of breeding spotted and speckled flocks given to Jacob (Genesis 30:25-31:16).
I used to either feel guilty and condemned because of my weaknesses and struggles or try to conceal them behind a facade of bravado or indifference. Now I recognize them as daily reminders of my journey to mind renewal, and I am determined to stay the course (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
I expect to be helped by God, and I am under less pressure to figure things out (Psalm 121:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:16).
I expect to stand out (Isaiah 60:1-3) and to be favoured (Psalm 5:12), so I do my best (1 Corinthians 14:40), and I rest (Isaiah 30:15).
I do not fear failure because I no longer have anything to prove to myself and others (1 John 4:18). Plus, I know in Him, I can never fail (Psalm 46:5).
I am committed to proving myself faithful with the resources entrusted to me; so I may receive even more (Luke 16:10, Matthew 25:29).

We invite you to reflect on these 10 principles. Some might apply to your entrepreneurial journey. Some might not. But in the midst of your busy day, consider how you might reflect on your identity in Christ. We are all stewards, creators, and beloved children of God.

Resting in our true identity is a continuous task. Sometimes we look at other entrepreneurs and think, “Why is it so easy for them to embrace peace and Christ-likeness?” But every Faith Driven Entrepreneur faces difficulties.

Here’s what Eme has to say about approaching each day with a renewed sense of faith:

To be honest, I have struggled with relinquishing control. Some days, I find it difficult to accept I am no longer in the driver's seat, especially when I am eager to accelerate. However, there are days when I am uncertain about what course of action to take.

In those moments, I am grateful to have surrendered control. I am thankful to be doing Abba’s work rather than my own, and I trust He will not allow anything to break on His watch. And even if things do break, I have faith that He will either mend them or replace them. Ultimately, I am a steward, and my responsibility is to be faithful and diligent.

Would you like to share your unique story of entrepreneurship and faith? Submit your article to FDE Africa using this form.

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