Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Schwarz.
Hi Lisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Brad and I have been married 30 years this fall. We have six children, 3 boys and 3 girls. For the first 20 years of our marriage, I was a stay-at-home mom and homeschooled our kids. I was very involved in the church and worked with preschoolers for many years, but at some point, starting working with the youth. This is when I started discipling students.
There was never a day when there wasn’t a student at my house. In fact, most days, there were multiple students at my house. They would help me with my kids, clean with me, go to the store with me, and frankly just do life with me. I loved opening up my home, but more so, I loved opening up my life. It was good old-fashioned mentorship!
Little did I know that all of this was preparing me for my future mission of discipling people and helping them reach their next level of success.
I have always had a heart for discipling people and helping them move into a place of victory. Whether in their home life or in their careers, I love to see people maximize their lives. My career later started as a speaker who designed conferences for various kinds of groups, but it quickly grew to include one-on-one meetings with people who were wanting to grow in life. Although I had a love for speaking to the masses, I felt the importance of helping people apply Biblical truths to their everyday living. Hence the inception of Crazy8 Ministries.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Personally: I had clinical depression and suffered from panic anxiety attacks for MANY years, especially during my childrearing years.
Professionally:
From a practical perspective, the biggest obstacle has been funding for a non-profit. Most people won’t give money to something that is not “proven” or established. This was a challenge when getting started… communicating a vision to the point that someone is willing to invest in it. Different than a business, the investment into a ministry will NOT bring back a financial return. This means you have to communicate the return of joy in giving and sell the sense of ownership in a community mission. I have learned the importance and necessity of community partnerships and we ALL play a part in the lives of every individual.
One of the reasons I started two businesses is because it is often easier to make money than it is to raise money. Our personal businesses provide greatly for the mission at Crazy8 Ministries.
From a mental perspective, coming up against so many “no’s” when starting out ANYTHING can be very discouraging. There are WAY more “naysayers” than there are “yay sayers” out there. Honestly, the opinions of others can often confuse the vision. I have learned to have A LOT of conversations with God and write things down based on His direction.
From a circumstantial perspective, the greatest challenge I have faced was when Crazy8 Ministries was asked to leave the place where we started and operated out of. I was given a timeline of 90 days to find new land as well as fundraise for that land. This was not like a business needing to find new space. Rather, we were housing 5 ladies and 8 kiddos at the time that called our building their home. There were lives at stake and the pressure was great. This was very challenging, but to be honest, it was the “kick in the pants” I needed to take the next leap of faith and grow!
As you know, we’re big fans of Crazy8 Ministries, Lisa Schwarz LLC, and Moretti’s Gourmet Olive Oils. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In 2011, I launched a ministry called Crazy8 Ministries. The heart of the mission is to attack poverty, not just the circumstances of poverty, but the mindset of poverty as well. Our services include free Biblical counseling and a long-term housing program that houses people for up to three years. I spent 14 months researching and writing the housing program to specifically address all the poverty barriers that keep people from stepping into their purpose. From mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational instability to lack of transportation or childcare, our program is designed to attack poverty from a wholeness perspective. To date, our ministry has grown to include 5 campuses where we can house up to 65 men, women, and children. In ten years, we have housed over 288 people and have a 99.2% success rate in helping overcome the poverty barriers.
In the process of growing the ministry, my own personal mission was growing as well and in 2017, I started my own business called Lisa Schwarz LLC. Like Crazy8 Ministries, my business is all about moving people into growth and victory. I am a national speaker who continues to speak around the United States for various kinds of groups and I have published six books. My business also includes my own private practice in counseling and coaching. I work with people from the executives to kids and parents, and I love it all!
My husband and I love business in general and recently bought a small business in our community called Moretti’s Gourmet Olive Oils. For us, it is a hobby that provides employment for people we want to help. In this manner, we are able to come alongside Crazy8 Ministries to help attack the poverty barrier of lack of employability. Our business is very successful financially, but more so in providing opportunities for people who are “unemployable.”
I love every aspect of what I do and am energized by it all. I find it rewarding to come alongside people and watch them step into who they’ve always wanted to be!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
My favorite book by far is the Bible. My favorite app … probably my notes, lol. This is how I communicate with my leaders within each of my businesses and track our “to do” lists.
My favorite podcast would be a tossup. I love Joyce Meyer, Kris Vallotton, Steven Furtick, and Andy Stanley. To be honest, I also listen to my own podcast a lot to keep the revelations I have received fresh in my heart.
Pricing:
- Books – $15- $20
- Shirts – $25-$35
- Coaching/Counseling – 12 sessions for $2400
- Speaking $1500-$5000
- Gourmet shop prices vary:)
Contact Info:
- Email: lisa@crazy8ministries.com
- Website: www.lisa-schwarz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaschwarzllc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lisaschwarzllc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lisaschwarzllc
- Other: https://crazy8ministries.com/ and http://www.morettisgourmet.com/
