We had the good fortune of connecting with Terri Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Terri, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I will give full honor to God and credit Him for this. I’m brilliant, don’t get me wrong, but I couldn’t have developed this on my own. I had to embark upon my own journey to embodying my true identity and discovering my God breathed purpose. This journey had me doing things I couldn’t really make sense of, like developing workshops and journals for what I thought would be a coaching program, and walking by faith into many unknowns. However, it wasn’t until I started my career in Higher Ed that all the work I’d completed made sense. I saw the tangible need for the work I’d been doing all along. The workshops turned into programming for my non profit and the journals turned into lesson plans. So again, I credit God for His thought process and allowing me to be the vessel to bring His thoughts to Earth.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Yes! My organization is named The Purposeful Journey Inc., and we were founded in August of 2023. Our mission is to equip individuals with the tools required to activate and apply authentic identity, as well as become aware of and operate in their assigned purpose. We envision a world of bold, empowered, and Spirit-led pioneers that embody their God-given identity, operate in their Kingdom purpose, and empower others to do the same. I’d say the biggest thing that sets this organization apart from many others is that 1) we ask folks to put aside the labels the world gave them, and even the ones they may find attractive in the moment, and pursue the identity the Lord called them to. We then, 2), ask folks to pursue the calling and the purpose that God gave them. There are so many people out right now teaching a “do what makes you happy,” and “follow your heart,” message. While that makes for a feel good life, that’s not what God called us to and can get us in a lot of trouble according to Jeremiah 17:9 NLT. The Purposeful Journey Inc. dares its audience to pursue original Kingdom intent, beyond cultural and social norms, and it always will.
With that being said, I believe I’m most proud of all the progress TPJ Inc. has made in such a short amount of time. This organization didn’t truly get up and running until December of 2023, but in just 3 months, we’ve accomplished many goals. We’ve host community events, we’ve held a collegiate workshop, we have interns now, and are in the process of obtaining funding to scale community programming and bring more workshops to collegiate and corporate spaces.
The hardest part about all of this was ensuring that I wasn’t getting in my own way personally. I personally work a full time job, and I’m in seminary, and I’m working on building this non profit from the ground up, and I’m very active in my church. When you get serious about doing what God has asked you to do, you have to know that distractions and warfare will come, You also have to learn how to manage your time and be mindful of what you say yes to. This development has forced me to hold myself accountable, extend grace, step out of my comfort zone, and so much more. It’s tough at times, because I’m only one person, but it wouldn’t be like God to have you doing work that betters the lives of those around you and the work doesn’t require you also to be better.
I want the world to know that the best thing you can do for yourself is get serious about becoming and doing all that you were created to do. It’s so rewarding. I can’t stand in this space and say it hasn’t been hard, but it’s worth it in the long run. There are so many trials and hardships that I have overcome in order to get here today. I stand as a living testament proving that Romans 8:28 is true. ALL things work for the good. All.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One thing about me? I loooove food. I think we’d spend most of our time eating! We have to go to Rosie’s Cafe, Slutty Vegan, Atlanta Breakfast Club, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Busy Bee Cafe, BTJ Wings, No Mas Cantina, Paschal’s, Local Green Atlanta, and Soul Vegetarian. Definitely have to show love to the West End and the AUC as a Spelman Alumna. I know for a fact I’d take them to Ponce City Market at least twice to spend some time in the food hall during the day, and then the Rooftop at Ponce at night. I also thoroughly appreciate a good and walkable part of town, so we’d spend some time in the Centennial Olympic Park area which has plenty of places to eat, see some tourist attractions, you can walk over to the Stadium… so many options! That’s enough for a whole day of activities on it’s own. For tourist purposes, of course I’d take them to the Trap Music Museum, The King Center, and the High Museum of Art. I think the only other place I would take them is Lenox Mall for the sake of the actual ride there and seeing part of Buckhead. By that point I’m sure we’d both be exhausted and ready to go home!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well naturally I want to thank God first! Next, I want to thank my tribe of women that have rallied around me when I needed to be uplifted and pushed forward on the days I couldn’t do it myself. My small, yet mighty tribe knows exactly who they are. I also want to thank every leader and mentor I’ve had the honor of encountering on this journey. Whether they helped me to see another part of myself that I couldn’t recognize, poured into my spirit when I was weak, gave me a fresh perspective on life, cultivated my gifts, or simply took time out of their day to pray for me, I’m beyond grateful.
Website: https://www.thepurposefuljourney.org/
Instagram: Personal IG: @the.terriamani Non-Profit IG: @tpj.inc
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terriwright0/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SheIsLocdIn