Can you build a business, support your family, and stay true to your faith? In this empowering episode, Kristin Fitch sits down with Mercedes Eckert, CEO and founder of iShop, a leading mystery shopping company, to explore how faith and finances can coexist. Mercedes shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship—where she created income opportunities that honor her Christian values and offer flexibility for other women.
Whether you're feeling called to something more or simply looking for faith-aligned ways to earn income, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Learn how to discern God’s voice in your career path, set healthy boundaries, and walk boldly in your purpose—all while creating financial stability for your household.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance spiritual convictions with professional growth, this episode is a must-listen.
✨Key Takeaways:
- Faith and Finances Can Coexist: You don’t have to choose between your spiritual values and earning income—you can do both with intention and integrity
- From Corporate to Calling: Mercedes shares her path from corporate life to launching a purpose-driven mystery shopping business.
- Flexible Income for Faithful Women: Mystery shopping offers women flexible work that supports family life and faith-based living.
- Discerning God’s Voice: Practical encouragement to help you recognize and act on God’s calling—even when it feels uncertain or unconventional.
- Healthy Boundaries Matter: Why setting spiritual and practical boundaries in your work life protects your purpose and peace.
- Work as Ministry: Your business or job can be more than a paycheck—it can be a platform for impact, service, and purpose.
Connect with Mercedes at MercedesEckert.com or learn more about ishopagp.com to find out about mystery shopping training/membership.
Join the 10 Day Email Challenge: Reignite Your Passion: Step into the Life You Were Made For https://kristinfitch.myflodesk.com/spark (join email newsletter to join)
Download My Free Joyful Living Devotional: https://kristinfitch.com/devotional
Ready to take your first step towards a more joyful, faith-filled life? Download our Reignite Your Passion Workbook and start living with purpose today!
Ready to work with Kristin to make a shift in your life? Click here to get started.
faith fueled woman podcast, christian women growth, spiritual growth for women, income opportunities for moms, mystery shopping explained, flexible income for women, purpose aligned income, balancing family and work, faith and finances, encouragement for working moms, how to make extra money, honoring God in work, faith-based business strategies, empowering women entrepreneurs, mystery shopping for income, finding purpose in work, intentional living for families, building a faith-based community, financial freedom for women, biblical wisdom for everyday life
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:35):
Hey friend.
Are you craving deeper faith,renewed purpose and more joy in your
everyday life?
Welcome to Faith Fueled Woman,a podcast that helps Christian women
grow spiritually pursue God'scalling and embrace the abundant
life he has for you.
I'm Kristen, an encourager,mentor, entrepreneur, wife and mom,
here to uplift, equip andinspire you with faith filled conversations
(00:57):
and biblical wisdom.
Subscribe now so you nevermiss an episode and join our faith
fueled community for more encouragement.
Hi.
Today on podcast, I can't waitto welcome our guest.
She is going to share so muchwith us, but one of the things we're
going to talk about today ishow can we still honor God?
(01:19):
How can we walk in morepurpose that he's calling us into,
but also bring in income orextra money for our families?
Whether we already work,whether we are at home, whether we
have a business, there'salways other ways to just try to
help support our families.
So we're going to talk aboutthat today.
So I want to welcome our guest.
Her name is Mercedes Eckertand she's the founder and CEO of
(01:41):
iShop.
It's the fastest growingmystery shopping organization globally.
And as a woman of faith, shefocuses on empowering Christian women
to create flexible, purposealigned income through mystery shopping
opportunities.
She's helped over 17,000people, mostly women, discover how
to transform their everydayactivities into meaningful income
streams that honor theirfamily priorities and faith values.
(02:04):
And I just love it because shereally is helping them through her
business experience, herleadership and then stepping into
this space.
Help women bring in, like Isaid, more income or their first
part of income and still beable to set their own priorities
for their life and beintentional with the way they're
living, especially when ourkids are younger or, you know, or
(02:26):
we just want to be more available.
Right.
It could be aging parents.
There's so many reasons why wemight 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 ofthe conversations that we don't have
enough, although I definitelyhear it talked about in more circles
(02:48):
now, is how can we as womenstill, you know, walk a godly wife
life, but also be women thatbring in income if that's something
that's important to us.
Right.
Or it's something that we needto do to help support our family?
And so I love that we'retalking about that today.
Can we start off with you justsharing a little bit about what life
(03:08):
looks like, how you Got intothis 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 lifelooks like today is never what I
would have imagined.
I am, I'm married, I have twochildren which they are now 19 and
(03:29):
17.
How that happened so fast, Idon't know.
And so my day to day life ishelping women, like you said, helping
men and women, but mostlywomen, create this income stream.
It's being able to have thatflexibility personally for myself
(03:49):
to hang with my husband, to bethere 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, whatare you doing?
But it, my life is, is such a blessing.
I know that this season oflife doesn't happen by accident and
God has really blessed me andmy family with, with this opportunity
(04:12):
to bless others.
And, and so these days lifeis, is really nice and flexible and
you know, I, I, for lack ofbetter words like living the dream,
I could not ask for a betterseason of life right now.
So why don't you just tell ushow did you get into this or, or
(04:33):
what did life look like thatmade you step out of, I think you
were doing corporate at somepoint and into mystery shopping.
It's a, it is a story for the books.
Listen, I started out inretail, left my job in retail because
it was just so, there's justso many things that just my mental
(04:59):
health, it was just affected,you know, anxiety, waking up, like,
oh, I don't really, reallywant to go in and caddy co workers
and things like that.
And, and I'm sure a lot ofpeople listening can relate to those
feelings of going into a workenvironment that you're, you're with
people that are not edifyingyou and so it's straining.
So I was working that job andI, I ended up leaving without a plan.
(05:22):
And I remember walking out andsaying, God, I don't know what is
going to happen, how I'm goingto 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 anotherday, I'm sorry, I'm, I'm walking
out, I'm not coming back.
And from that day, I can tellyou I remember a weight lifting off
(05:43):
my shoulders.
Some other doors opened forme, more in that corporate world
working with a financial advisor.
So doors started to open andso I was, started working here and
doing a little there.
And then came the Opportunityto mystery shop.
And I had heard of mysteryshopping back in my Bible college
(06:06):
days.
And I remember you guys, oh,my gosh, back then, like, Google
wasn't even as efficient.
I remember trying to figure itout, and I'm like, everything looks
like a scam.
This must not exist.
So I kind of never thoughtabout it again.
And so here I am.
It's what, 2013.
I was dating my husband then,and we decided to do a little double
(06:27):
date with one of his friendsand another young lady, and she ended
up helping me get my foot inthe industry.
And so to make a long storyshort, once I got my foot in the
industry and I married myhusband two weeks after we got back
from our honeymoon, he injuredhimself where he could not work for,
(06:48):
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 aboutmystery shopping, had been doing
it, But I was like, you know what?
I'm just gonna have to.
I'm just gonna have to buckleup and do some more mystery shops.
(07:09):
And I remember that first, itwas 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 madewhat I would have made in one week
or he would have made in one week.
I made that in.
Remember feeling like thewindows of heaven just opened up
(07:31):
and you had that cartoonmoment, like, oh, you know, And I'm
like, oh, my gosh, Lord, youjust gave us an income stream that
is out of this world.
And so everything changed fromthat moment.
Oh, my gosh, I love that.
You know, I've talked to otherwomen before that started businesses,
and often it's actually,there's that pivotal moment right?
(07:55):
Where they.
They were starting something.
You had learned about it andyou were starting to do this.
But it was like all of asudden when you realize you made
money in that day or moremoney, that you were like, I can
do this, right?
When we shift and have theconfidence in ourselves.
Not that you didn't before,but you know what I'm saying?
Like, there's a shift whereyou go, exactly.
Wait, not okay, I'm gonna trythis out.
(08:15):
But like, no, I can do thislike this, right?
And it's kind of likeeverything changes because now you
realized, like, this is a serious.
Like, this can actually bringin the income we need, right?
It's not.
I Was you're not just doing itfor, for peanuts, if you will.
Right.
You realize it could really bea serious, you know, revenue generator
for you.
So I love.
Yeah.
(08:36):
So good.
Okay, so first of all, theremay be some people, I think most
of us probably heard aboutmystery shopping, but maybe we don't
know much about it.
So do you want to just give uslike a.
A little short.
What is it?
And why do people, you know,why do businesses want it?
And then what does somebodythat is a mystery shopper do?
Yeah, so mystery shopping is aform of market research.
(08:58):
So it's used by businesses bigand small, Fortune 500 companies,
mom pop shops.
And, and they use it to gaugethe 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 ableto use the data that they receive
from mystery shoppers toimprove their businesses.
So on the mystery shopperside, a mystery shopper is just somebody
(09:21):
that pretends to be a regularcustomer inside of different businesses,
but they're actually there toevaluate and gauge the customer experience.
And yeah, it's, it's great.
It's.
It's very easy concept tounderstand, but unfortunately, I
think the public just hasn'tbeen made aware of truly the nuts
(09:44):
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 somany people do or use mystery shopping
to bring in revenue.
And so tell us a little bitabout how can somebody that might
be hearing this say, you know what?
I either am I at home or forwhatever reason.
(10:05):
Right.
But I really could use, Icould make some more money.
Obviously you have to leaveyour house for this type of mystery
shopping typically, but.
Or they already are making anincome, but they'd really like extra
money.
Right.
For it to go further or to doother things.
Maybe to put it into avacation fund or maybe it's to pay
the bills or, you know, orinvest in their future dream.
(10:28):
So what would you just sharewith us about how does somebody get
into this and why would theywant to consider it and maybe who
it's good for?
Yeah.
So honestly, this is good foranyone 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.
(10:49):
Basic computer skills.
And you've got transportationto get to the places.
It's very minimal on thecriteria, but if you fit those and
you're looking for extramoney, or maybe you just need to
cut down on household expenses.
So this is what makes mysteryshopping so unique, right?
Not only do you make money,but you also get a lot of free things.
(11:11):
And when I say free things, Imean free groceries, free car, oil
changes, free flights, air,not air, hotel, stay.
Those are just some of thethings that you can get for free.
Because as a mystery shopper,a lot of times when you go into these
businesses, it would be reallyweird to go into a restaurant, sit
(11:32):
down and not order any food.
Right?
So, you know, you have toblend in with the other customers
to make yourself not stand out.
So therefore they would payyou, reimburse you to get dinner.
And so your dinner could be free.
And so this is why I love thatGod did this for me and now thousands
of other people is becausewhen God blesses you, I'm telling
(11:54):
you, he blesses you good.
And it wasn't just a thingwhere I'm like ripping and running
and, and trying to make aprofit or even, you know, just spinning
my wheels.
It was not only bringing inincome, 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,
(12:14):
I don't need a lot of extra money.
But you know, hey, if we couldcut down on, we eat out a lot.
If we could cut down on thoseexpenses or getting your car oil
change, I mean, there's nosense in paying for some of these
things that we spend our hardearned 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
(12:37):
background, you know, you havenow you have business background.
And so why don't you tell us about.
How do you discern God'sguidance when you're trying to decide
like is.
Is bringing in additionalincome maybe the right, is it the
right time for somebody, youknow, whatever it is that they're
thinking about and they'retrying to discern right now.
What could you share with us?
(12:57):
Absolutely.
Well, number one, talking toGod and hearing his voice is the
best thing you can do, right?
And sometimes it's so hard tohear because we've got that.
We got soccer games, we've gotbasketball games, we're driving the
kids here and there.
And we've got this, and you'vegot your marriage, all these things
that are happening on a daily basis.
Sometimes it's like, God,where are you?
(13:19):
I'm in my prayer closet andI'm asking you, and I don't hear
Anything.
Right.
I, I think this is somethingthat we've all, all been through.
And so I, my advice is toremember that God doesn't always
speak when we want him to, andhe doesn't always speak how we want
to.
So be open to him speaking toyou in different forms or different
(13:40):
ways.
Right.
To discern his voice.
And what I will say is that inmy life experience, God has just.
And I like to say this, and Ithink it's in the book of.
I think it might be psalms orit's job.
Sorry.
He makes my footsteps like butter.
And that is my prayer for everybody.
(14:02):
So many things in my life thathave gotten me to where I am today.
I'm like, I didn't have toreally fight for that.
Why was that so easy?
God's.
God's not about making you doso much hard stuff.
You're wore out.
Like, the Bible says that, youknow, he.
Every perfect gift is from Him.
Right.
So everything he's done in mylife and I've seen Him do in other
(14:25):
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 belistening, 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 hedoes it and he blesses you and he
gives you guidance, it's notgoing to be a fight.
(14:47):
It's just going to come soeasily and feel like the natural
thing to do, like an ahamoment, 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 istrying to confirm.
Right.
He wants to help us knowsomething's right.
(15:09):
But it's normally the devilthat'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 usthat next step.
Right.
And so we can have confidence,confidence in that.
And then also like you said, it's.
(15:30):
We're going to getconfirmation different ways, you
know, like you said.
But.
But he also is looking for usto step out and be obedient by actually
doing stuff.
Right.
In other words, sometimes Ithink as Christians, we want to wait
on God.
Oh, you're preaching now, girl.
Yeah, and I think I've donethat before, too.
You know, you're thinking likeoh, well, I'm waiting for a more
(15:53):
confirmation, But a lot oftimes if we already feel a prompting,
it's because he's waiting forus to be obedient and take a little
step.
That could be any step, likegoing and researching siding, like,
how do I make income?
That could be right.
Going into a networking event.
Right.
It could be asking yourgirlfriend how.
How are you selling your extrastuff for money?
(16:13):
Right.
Like, in other words,sometimes it's just us taking that
little step and having thatwillingness or that bravery to just
ask someone or researchsomething or buy the book on something,
you know, or sign up for, youknow, becoming a shopper or whatever
it might be.
You know, I think we have toremember that as well.
Yeah, I think.
(16:34):
And.
And you made me think of this.
You need to be able to discernbetween waiting on God and your fear.
Because there's a lot ofpeople who say, oh, I'm waiting on
the Lord.
No, you're walking in fearbecause you're too scared to step
out.
And I have seen waste decadeswaiting on something very minute
(16:59):
from an outside perspective.
I'm like, listen, it's time toput one foot in.
If.
If God doesn't want you to goany 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 Godknowing to when to wait and when
it's your fear keeping you back.
Yep, absolutely.
(17:20):
I love it.
So let me ask you this.
You know, I love that you talkabout that when we can do a business
or make income, that allows usto be intentional, to put our own
values right.
Maybe our family, whatever itis, all these things.
First, can you talk to us alittle bit about how does someone
keep those boundaries, though?
(17:40):
Because you are in a job andmost of us have been at some point.
Maybe we are right now in ajob that you just feel like don't
align with your values, ormaybe it doesn't align with that.
You want to be as available toyour family.
And so what would you justshare with us?
What would you speak to us about?
How do we have thoseboundaries and how do we move towards
protecting them and actuallyliving a life where it's as it's
(18:01):
intentional and we are livingthe way we want to.
Right.
So when I was working inretail, it kept me from going to
church every Sunday.
I mean, it was like, you gotto work 12 to 6 every Sunday.
And I'm like, I didn't.
And that goes to a bigger partof my story.
But I didn't come here to.
(18:23):
I moved where I was becauseGod had told me to with, with some
people that had started a church.
And I'm like, I didn't comehere not to go to church, you know,
like move out of state becauseof a church and then have to get
a job that doesn't allow me togo to church.
Right.
And so being prayerful aboutthat is what I was doing during that
(18:44):
time.
And also if I got anopportunity to not work a Sunday,
you know what I mean?
Like, so when thoseopportunities come, taking those.
And then also beingintentional with the, for instance,
like the co workers that Ihad, none of them were Christian.
And you have to recognize too,that part of your frustration and
(19:08):
some of those things that seemlike they're pushing your boundaries
could be an opportunity foryou to minister or to be the light.
So being able to walk out my rel.
Should I say relationship withGod or my Christianity, you know
what I mean?
To be able to walk that out at work.
It actually helped me with myboundaries and not letting people,
(19:32):
you know, kind of come intothat because they kind of get that
instant reverence a little bitlike, oh, let me not say this around
this person.
It's considered offensive andthings like that.
So I, I think just beingauthentically you and your relationship
and your walk with the Lordand then any opportunities that come,
taking those, that's how youset, you know, the.
(19:55):
Some ways that you can setboundaries and not be so, like, cut
and dry with it.
So one thing I talk about onsome 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 workcan be our ministry and actually
just our lives, I think really.
And so what would you justshare with our listeners?
(20:16):
Because I think this is reallyan important point.
If someone maybe hasn't heardthis before or maybe it hasn't sunk
in that ministry isn't justwhen you have an actual thing called
a ministry or when you'reworking in the church.
So what would you just sharewith us about what you've learned
about how your business isreally an extension of, of your.
Of God's ministry.
(20:37):
Exactly.
So I grew up as a pastor's kid.
My Pastor's parented for 20something years.
So I know what, I know all thelingo and the expectations of in,
in the.
Actually some of the thingsthat we as Christians have gotten
wrong so far so long in thechurch oh, everybody's called to
(20:58):
be a.
One of the fivefold offices,or you're called to be a minister
or a pastor.
How many times did you hearyour call to be an employee at McDonald's?
You know, we, we look down atso many other sectors.
Well, you know, you work yourway up to this position.
I don't care.
(21:19):
And you know what?
Actually, I watched adocumentary a long time ago, and
it was about.
It was a Christian documentaryabout some kids.
And one of the little girlssaid they asked her what she wanted
to do when she grew up, and they.
She said, I want to be a nailtechnician because I want to be able
to have that.
That time with my customers,to be able to share the good news
(21:42):
of Jesus.
And that forever changed how Ilooked at work.
So it really doesn't matterwhere, what kind of job you have,
where you're at.
We're called to be the lightin any situation, right?
You don't hide, Hide a light.
It.
Right.
It shines out in the darkness.
(22:04):
So as far as using your.
Whatever your occupation isto, to be a light, think of different
creative ways.
Personally, with thisbusiness, I, I didn't start it with
a goal of, well, I'm going tochange people's lives and spread
the gospel, but by beingmyself, you can't talk to me without
(22:29):
me mentioning God, you'regonna 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 haveother beliefs, they might not have
any religious beliefs.
And.
But then I started noticing,like, things that they would say
would almost mimic or bepiggybacking off of something in
(22:51):
my life that, that had to dowith God.
And I'm like, oh, my gosh.
And then I started havingpeople tell me testimonies, like
I was praying and this.
And then you popped up or this happened.
And so I started to see slowlybut surely how God was using this
crazy thing called mysteryshopping as a tool for me to actually
(23:14):
live out my walk with God andbe able to be a light.
And so I don't.
I'm not intentionally out there.
Like, you need Jesus and letme give you the, the.
The ten Commandments and, Andthat whole spiel.
I'm not doing that.
I'm just being myself.
I bring up the Lord when Ibring up.
(23:36):
It's just being myself.
And so it, I love this topicbecause it's just so good, because
I really feel like whereveryou are, you can be the light.
And it doesn't have to beinside of the church.
It doesn't have to be on thepulpit, 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, whateverit is, use that opportunity to be
(23:58):
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 maydiffer, right.
On this, and I understand,obviously, the Great Commission and
all that, but I think alsothere's different.
People have differentpersonalities and kind of how they
(24:19):
approach faith with otherpeople, you know, and like you said,
I love the.
The idea of that we're alltrying to be the light, but it's
not that we have to pushscripture 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 forpeople, how we're showing people
kindness.
(24:39):
Right.
In other words, it's how weshow up day in and day out, starts
to allow there to be conversation.
A lot of times with people.
It might take a little longersometimes that way.
So, you know, I think it's.
Everybody might do it a littledifferent or feel they might be at
a different place in theirjourney with how they feel comfortable
with that.
But I think it's that by theway you're living, you will.
(25:01):
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 likeyou can handle, you know, even when
circumstances are hard, or whydo you.
Right.
And so I think sometimes it'sjust by doing what we do, where we
do it, that allowsconversations to also come up.
(25:22):
You know, of course, thingslike I've heard, I heard on K Love
a couple months ago, one ofthe people, DJs or whatever or whatever
they call them, she said shewas in a different country on vacation
and they were praying, youknow, before their meal and which,
of course, you know, I do thatwith most of the people when I'm
out.
You know, obviously some of mygroups is, you know, it's mixed groups
(25:43):
and we don't do that maybe asmuch, but I might just do it to myself.
But she said that a woman hadgone in the bathroom at the same
time as her in this foreigncountry and said, you know, I don't
even know that I believe inprayer, but would you pray for my
marriage because she saw thempraying and she, you know, but my
point is, is sometimes it'sjust doing what we do as Christians
(26:03):
that people take notice.
And so when we do that in our workplace.
Right.
In other words, you're noteven trying to tell someone else,
like, oh, this is what Ibelieve and you should.
Right.
It's that by doing what we do,what we believe, people, when they're
ready to see or notice orhear, sometimes will also approach
us because of our actions.
(26:23):
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 knowwhat I mean?
He had co workers that spentthree years with him.
Yeah.
Being around him all the time,learning how he responded, seeing
what he did, that's all he'scalled us to do.
(26:44):
He never was, what's the word?
He never shoved anything downanybody's throat.
He would tell them the truth,but he just lived.
He lived it out.
And I think that especially intoday's age, with the past, I don't
know, however many decadesthat a lot of Christians have spent
(27:10):
kind of ruining our reputation.
Right.
And so now people don't wantto hear it.
You know, the ways that mayhave worked before don't really work
anymore.
People, people have heard it.
They think you're judgmental.
They think all it, it doesn'twork because it was never supposed
to be that way anyway.
We're supposed to live our life.
And so if you're somebody, ifyou're a Christ follower, you have
(27:30):
integrity, you have the fruitsof the spirit.
No, you're not going to beperfect, but walking in that integrity
and, and the fruits of thespirit, people are going, you can't
be around.
Now this might not be the, thegreatest, but what I'm saying is
like you can't be around fireand not get burnt, but fire in a
good way.
You know what I mean?
Like, they're not going to beable to be around you and not feel
(27:51):
something and not be curiouswhen you're walking in, in those
things.
So.
Absolutely.
So good.
Okay, so what would you justshare with people?
Maybe they're listening andone of the reasons maybe they tuned
into this particular episodeis because, you know, we've already
talked a little bit, but we'lltalk a little bit more about how
can you build income or howcan you have faith driven financial
(28:14):
freedom?
Like what would you just wantto 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 extraincome yet, you know, or like I said,
maybe they're saving for something.
Or like you said, maybe theyjust want to lower their spending.
What would you just, how wouldyou encourage them moving forward?
(28:38):
Yeah, well, I would encourageanybody who's feeling kind of like
in that stuck mode of notknowing, like, what to do and what's
going to work.
Pray and God will send you the answer.
Right.
It could be this podcastepisode, it might be another one.
It might be something thatsomebody says that sparks, you know,
(28:58):
something in your, your mind.
It goes back to what I saidabout being able to listen to God
in, in the various ways thathe speaks and understand that it's
okay to be frustrated.
Right.
We all, we all have thoseseasons, but know that seasons change.
And so it doesn't have toalways be this way.
(29:20):
As long as you're listening tothe voice of God and, and discerning
the times and seasons right there.
There are definitely timeswhere 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 andit's just not working.
And I just obviously amprayerful, but recognize like, okay,
(29:40):
God, I'm in this season.
How do I walk in this season?
With some peace and graceuntil, you know, you light that next
step of the path.
And so just giving yourselfsome grace and knowing that it's
okay to be, to be frustratedor, you know, upset, but just know
(30:01):
that seasons change and itwill, will come.
There's nothing that, there'snothing that I can say that's like
this, do this.
Here's the three step processto changing this.
Like, we love to read allthese books, right?
And, and they're helpful, butat the same time, like, sometimes
advice is just so simple.
Right.
We have a flood going on rightnow in, in my area, I'm in Indiana.
(30:23):
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 itbecause this too will pass.
Absolutely.
I mean, you know, recentlyI've been in one of those, you know,
(30:43):
waiting seasons.
And not only waiting, but, youknow, like a season of grief.
You know, there were some, wehad some loss this year, earlier
this year.
And you know, I just, therewould be days where I would Come
to try to sit at my computerand get stuff done.
And it.
I might get something done,but it just felt.
Just couldn't do it.
(31:03):
Right.
But it's just.
I just had to walk throughthat, you know what I'm saying?
Like, because sometimes we dohave such stress and obviously we
want to, you know, work onthat 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 andothers grace because there are.
(31:25):
And there is an ebb and a flowand there are seasons, like you said.
And, you know, if I hadthought, oh, nothing's going to change,
even though there was severallosses in our family, you know, in.
In our neighborhood too, in arow, well, it just wasn't realistic,
right?
I tried.
I tried, but you can't forcesomething when you need space, Right?
Exactly.
(31:46):
It's a process or whatever.
Or maybe you train, you'retransitioning in a different season.
And so it's the same.
It's every season, andeverything is going.
Sometimes it's a preparationseason, right.
Sometimes it's a processingseason, sometimes it's a waiting
season, you know, but that isalways working in us.
We just have to be, like yousaid, give ourselves grace and be
(32:08):
patient that something is coming.
Right?
Something will change, butit's not exactly so good.
So let me ask you, okay, sosince you obviously, you know, you
are the woman, right, you'rethe mystery shopping pro here, what
would you just want to sharewith us about how to begin a journey?
(32:29):
If someone's interested inthat, obviously, I know you started
ishopping.
That's where your focus is.
But what would you just wantto 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, justgoing back when I got.
Was no, there was no manual, right?
(32:51):
There was no how do you do this?
What's the ins and outs?
And so that's a big part ofwhat we do.
So we do offer a free webinarfor anybody that would be interested
in getting more details ongetting started.
But yeah, I mean, we would.
We would love if.
If anyone listening feelsmaybe this is something that is tugging
(33:14):
on you a little bit, like tocheck it out.
We could definitely point youin the right direction and, and give
you all the.
That you need to decidewhether or not this is something
that you want to give a try.
You know, as long as you're atleast 18 years or older and you got
transportation, Internetaccess, some good writing and grammar.
(33:35):
You can do this.
It's not rocket science and itreally is.
It really is a blessing.
So, yeah.
So let me ask you, before youshare with people, you know, where
what your website is, info isand everything, just any last words
of encouragement or justanything that's just speaking to
you.
It could be scripture, youknow, just anything that's lifting
you up that you'd like toshare with other people?
(33:57):
Well, yeah, absolutely.
You know, if you've beenlistening to this, and I would say,
like what we were talkingabout earlier that hit, that did
something to me that was aboutthe waiting, the waiting season and
really knowing whether it'sfear holding you back or not.
(34:20):
Because I would not besurprised if many people who are
watching this are dealing witha form of fear.
And just to remember thatGod's not given us a spirit of fear,
but a power of love and asound mind.
And so hold on to that andwhatever it is that is standing in
front of you or you'restanding in front of whatever door
(34:41):
opportunity is, just do it.
Just try it out, you know, prayerfully.
Yep, I love it.
Okay.
So, Mercedes, can you sharewith us, how can people learn more
about you and about I shop ifthey're interested in those.
Either of those things?
Yeah, absolutely.
So I'm on all social media.
(35:02):
It's kind of scary.
So you can look me up and findme very easily.
If you're interested in themystery shopping portion of things,
you can also find I shop onour website.
It is www.ishop, a GP thatstands for and get paid.
I shop and get paid.com andyou can get started there.
(35:25):
Oh, I love it.
Thank you so much for comingon and sharing with us today.
Just, well, one encouraging,you know, all of us just to take
that next step right, to, youknow, move when we think God might
be trying to tell us to movefor knowing that there is a way to
either replace our income andbeing more intentional with how we
(35:45):
live or to bring in additionalincome or just build another revenue
stream.
And just to encourage us thatsometimes where we're at might not
be the right place.
And I'm not saying peopleshould just always just go quit their
jobs, but other times might bejust the time to do something new.
And sometimes people do thatby trying that new opportunity before
(36:05):
they leave.
But also I just say if youfind yourself in a state situation
where it's toxic or it's justexhausting you and praying and changing
your perspective isn'tshifting anything, right?
And just maybe it's time tolook at some new opportunities, and
maybe this is one of them.
So thank you for coming on andsharing your heart and sharing your
time and sharing about mystery shopping.
(36:29):
Thank you so much for havingme, Kristen.
It's been great.
Absolutely.
All right, friends, as we wrapup today, I just want to share a
couple closing thoughts with you.
The first is I just wanted tobring Mercedes on and share with
you one of hundreds ofdifferent ways that we might step
into our next chapter, maybedoing something different.
(36:51):
Maybe our seasons changed andwe're looking for new opportunities.
And so whether it's somethinglike mystery shopping or something
completely different, I justwant to make sure that our hearts
are open to new possibilities,that we are open to new opportunities.
Right.
She stepped into that becauseof a conversation when she went to
(37:11):
dinner with another couple.
You know, a couple's dinner.
And so that's really the first thing.
And then just, you know, herperspective and what we talked about,
about discerning what Godmight be trying to tell us, not waiting
because it's because fear isholding us back.
Now, there are times when Godis calling us to wait.
(37:32):
Right.
And to prepare.
But sometimes it's becausewe're afraid to take a new step or
do something that we've neverdone before.
And the next thing I reallyjust want to share with you is a
quote that I just saw todayand 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 thatwe're showing up the way that God
(37:57):
sees us.
You know, who he says we areis so much more important than where
we go to work or how we make a living.
Of course those things canmatter, and they do matter.
But here's the quote.
We think our work is the jobwe go to or the place we get a check
from.
No, your work is the veryspecial thing that you add to this
(38:18):
world.
Your vision, your light, yourlove, 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 thatwith you because it's such a good
reminder, right?
It's how we're showing up inthe world, how we're choosing to
(38:41):
be Christlike in our homes,how we're choosing to be Christlike
in whatever job we might begoing to or however we choose to
spend our time.
And so, friends, that truly iswhat matters.
Right.
At the end of the day, more sothan how we, you know, where we clock
in or where we make income or,or get a paycheck.
(39:03):
So I just want to encourageyou be open to your next season.
I know I'm always as I'mchanging, as my interests change
over the decades, I'm open tolooking at what that might mean for
my future, you know, as far ashow I work with people or the type
of collaborations oropportunities that I want to step
(39:24):
into.
And it can be scary.
But the point is, is it'ssomething that I want to keep being
curious about.
I want to iterate.
And it's because I know thatif I'm doing the work I'm meant to
do, the type of work I'm meantto 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 mebe that light.
(39:48):
Let me share with the world my gifts.
Right.
And the things that I want tocontribute in this lifetime.
So.
And I have a great freebie foryou on my website.
It is called creating a lifeyou love.
It is beyond the bucket lists.
It is a journaling workbookwhere there are so many pages for
you to fill in.
(40:08):
And it's not a one day thing.
It is over time you wouldprint and fill in the pages that
most interest you.
But it really is about gettingclear on the life that you want.
It's getting clear on thepicture you have of your thoughts,
your perceptions on how yousee yourself.
It's getting clear on what arethose things that you want to do,
(40:29):
you know, what are yourdreams, 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, beautifulworkbook that you can print.
It's free.
So head over toKristenFitch.com and it's on my freebies
page.
But it is a great one to goand grab or share it with a friend.
(40:52):
Because if you're somebodythat likes lists or you like to see
things visually, you're goingto love it.
So go grab that.
Because even when it has to dowith new opportunities or new finding
new income streams or making alittle bit of, you know, extra money
for vacations, that workbookhas areas for, you know, what, what
(41:13):
are our goals in the differentareas of our lives.
So I think it will help youget 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 tothe show and if you enjoyed today's
episode, we would love it ifyou could take a minute to leave
a rating and review on ApplePodcasts because it helps our show
(41:36):
get discovered by more people.
Hey friend.
Are you craving deeper faith,renewed purpose and more joy in your
everyday life?
Welcome to Faith Fueled Woman,a podcast that helps Christian women
grow spiritually pursue God'scalling and embrace the abundant
life he has for you.
I'm Kristen, an encourager,mentor, entrepreneur, wife and mom,
here to uplift, equip andinspire you with faith filled conversations
(00:57):
and biblical wisdom.
Subscribe now so you nevermiss an episode and join our faith
fueled community for more encouragement.
Hi.
Today on podcast, I can't waitto welcome our guest.
She is going to share so muchwith us, but one of the things we're
going to talk about today ishow can we still honor God?
(01:19):
How can we walk in morepurpose that he's calling us into,
but also bring in income orextra money for our families?
Whether we already work,whether we are at home, whether we
have a business, there'salways other ways to just try to
help support our families.
So we're going to talk aboutthat today.
So I want to welcome our guest.
Her name is Mercedes Eckertand she's the founder and CEO of
(01:41):
iShop.
It's the fastest growingmystery shopping organization globally.
And as a woman of faith, shefocuses on empowering Christian women
to create flexible, purposealigned income through mystery shopping
opportunities.
She's helped over 17,000people, mostly women, discover how
to transform their everydayactivities into meaningful income
streams that honor theirfamily priorities and faith values.
(02:04):
And I just love it because shereally is helping them through her
business experience, herleadership and then stepping into
this space.
Help women bring in, like Isaid, more income or their first
part of income and still beable to set their own priorities
for their life and beintentional with the way they're
living, especially when ourkids are younger or, you know, or
(02:26):
we just want to be more available.
Right.
It could be aging parents.
There's so many reasons why wemight 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 ofthe conversations that we don't have
enough, although I definitelyhear it talked about in more circles
(02:48):
now, is how can we as womenstill, you know, walk a godly wife
life, but also be women thatbring in income if that's something
that's important to us.
Right.
Or it's something that we needto do to help support our family?
And so I love that we'retalking about that today.
Can we start off with you justsharing a little bit about what life
(03:08):
looks like, how you Got intothis 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 lifelooks like today is never what I
would have imagined.
I am, I'm married, I have twochildren which they are now 19 and
(03:29):
17.
How that happened so fast, Idon't know.
And so my day to day life ishelping women, like you said, helping
men and women, but mostlywomen, create this income stream.
It's being able to have thatflexibility personally for myself
(03:49):
to hang with my husband, to bethere 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, whatare you doing?
But it, my life is, is such a blessing.
I know that this season oflife doesn't happen by accident and
God has really blessed me andmy family with, with this opportunity
(04:12):
to bless others.
And, and so these days lifeis, is really nice and flexible and
you know, I, I, for lack ofbetter words like living the dream,
I could not ask for a betterseason of life right now.
So why don't you just tell ushow did you get into this or, or
(04:33):
what did life look like thatmade you step out of, I think you
were doing corporate at somepoint and into mystery shopping.
It's a, it is a story for the books.
Listen, I started out inretail, left my job in retail because
it was just so, there's justso many things that just my mental
(04:59):
health, it was just affected,you know, anxiety, waking up, like,
oh, I don't really, reallywant to go in and caddy co workers
and things like that.
And, and I'm sure a lot ofpeople listening can relate to those
feelings of going into a workenvironment that you're, you're with
people that are not edifyingyou and so it's straining.
So I was working that job andI, I ended up leaving without a plan.
(05:22):
And I remember walking out andsaying, God, I don't know what is
going to happen, how I'm goingto 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 anotherday, I'm sorry, I'm, I'm walking
out, I'm not coming back.
And from that day, I can tellyou I remember a weight lifting off
(05:43):
my shoulders.
Some other doors opened forme, more in that corporate world
working with a financial advisor.
So doors started to open andso I was, started working here and
doing a little there.
And then came the Opportunityto mystery shop.
And I had heard of mysteryshopping back in my Bible college
(06:06):
days.
And I remember you guys, oh,my gosh, back then, like, Google
wasn't even as efficient.
I remember trying to figure itout, and I'm like, everything looks
like a scam.
This must not exist.
So I kind of never thoughtabout it again.
And so here I am.
It's what, 2013.
I was dating my husband then,and we decided to do a little double
(06:27):
date with one of his friendsand another young lady, and she ended
up helping me get my foot inthe industry.
And so to make a long storyshort, once I got my foot in the
industry and I married myhusband two weeks after we got back
from our honeymoon, he injuredhimself where he could not work for,
(06:48):
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 aboutmystery shopping, had been doing
it, But I was like, you know what?
I'm just gonna have to.
I'm just gonna have to buckleup and do some more mystery shops.
(07:09):
And I remember that first, itwas 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 madewhat I would have made in one week
or he would have made in one week.
I made that in.
Remember feeling like thewindows of heaven just opened up
(07:31):
and you had that cartoonmoment, like, oh, you know, And I'm
like, oh, my gosh, Lord, youjust gave us an income stream that
is out of this world.
And so everything changed fromthat moment.
Oh, my gosh, I love that.
You know, I've talked to otherwomen before that started businesses,
and often it's actually,there's that pivotal moment right?
(07:55):
Where they.
They were starting something.
You had learned about it andyou were starting to do this.
But it was like all of asudden when you realize you made
money in that day or moremoney, that you were like, I can
do this, right?
When we shift and have theconfidence in ourselves.
Not that you didn't before,but you know what I'm saying?
Like, there's a shift whereyou go, exactly.
Wait, not okay, I'm gonna trythis out.
(08:15):
But like, no, I can do thislike this, right?
And it's kind of likeeverything changes because now you
realized, like, this is a serious.
Like, this can actually bringin the income we need, right?
It's not.
I Was you're not just doing itfor, for peanuts, if you will.
Right.
You realize it could really bea serious, you know, revenue generator
for you.
So I love.
Yeah.
(08:36):
So good.
Okay, so first of all, theremay be some people, I think most
of us probably heard aboutmystery shopping, but maybe we don't
know much about it.
So do you want to just give uslike a.
A little short.
What is it?
And why do people, you know,why do businesses want it?
And then what does somebodythat is a mystery shopper do?
Yeah, so mystery shopping is aform of market research.
(08:58):
So it's used by businesses bigand small, Fortune 500 companies,
mom pop shops.
And, and they use it to gaugethe 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 ableto use the data that they receive
from mystery shoppers toimprove their businesses.
So on the mystery shopperside, a mystery shopper is just somebody
(09:21):
that pretends to be a regularcustomer inside of different businesses,
but they're actually there toevaluate and gauge the customer experience.
And yeah, it's, it's great.
It's.
It's very easy concept tounderstand, but unfortunately, I
think the public just hasn'tbeen made aware of truly the nuts
(09:44):
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 somany people do or use mystery shopping
to bring in revenue.
And so tell us a little bitabout how can somebody that might
be hearing this say, you know what?
I either am I at home or forwhatever reason.
(10:05):
Right.
But I really could use, Icould make some more money.
Obviously you have to leaveyour house for this type of mystery
shopping typically, but.
Or they already are making anincome, but they'd really like extra
money.
Right.
For it to go further or to doother things.
Maybe to put it into avacation fund or maybe it's to pay
the bills or, you know, orinvest in their future dream.
(10:28):
So what would you just sharewith us about how does somebody get
into this and why would theywant to consider it and maybe who
it's good for?
Yeah.
So honestly, this is good foranyone 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.
(10:49):
Basic computer skills.
And you've got transportationto get to the places.
It's very minimal on thecriteria, but if you fit those and
you're looking for extramoney, or maybe you just need to
cut down on household expenses.
So this is what makes mysteryshopping so unique, right?
Not only do you make money,but you also get a lot of free things.
(11:11):
And when I say free things, Imean free groceries, free car, oil
changes, free flights, air,not air, hotel, stay.
Those are just some of thethings that you can get for free.
Because as a mystery shopper,a lot of times when you go into these
businesses, it would be reallyweird to go into a restaurant, sit
(11:32):
down and not order any food.
Right?
So, you know, you have toblend in with the other customers
to make yourself not stand out.
So therefore they would payyou, reimburse you to get dinner.
And so your dinner could be free.
And so this is why I love thatGod did this for me and now thousands
of other people is becausewhen God blesses you, I'm telling
(11:54):
you, he blesses you good.
And it wasn't just a thingwhere I'm like ripping and running
and, and trying to make aprofit or even, you know, just spinning
my wheels.
It was not only bringing inincome, 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,
(12:14):
I don't need a lot of extra money.
But you know, hey, if we couldcut down on, we eat out a lot.
If we could cut down on thoseexpenses or getting your car oil
change, I mean, there's nosense in paying for some of these
things that we spend our hardearned 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
(12:37):
background, you know, you havenow you have business background.
And so why don't you tell us about.
How do you discern God'sguidance when you're trying to decide
like is.
Is bringing in additionalincome maybe the right, is it the
right time for somebody, youknow, whatever it is that they're
thinking about and they'retrying to discern right now.
What could you share with us?
(12:57):
Absolutely.
Well, number one, talking toGod and hearing his voice is the
best thing you can do, right?
And sometimes it's so hard tohear because we've got that.
We got soccer games, we've gotbasketball games, we're driving the
kids here and there.
And we've got this, and you'vegot your marriage, all these things
that are happening on a daily basis.
Sometimes it's like, God,where are you?
(13:19):
I'm in my prayer closet andI'm asking you, and I don't hear
Anything.
Right.
I, I think this is somethingthat we've all, all been through.
And so I, my advice is toremember that God doesn't always
speak when we want him to, andhe doesn't always speak how we want
to.
So be open to him speaking toyou in different forms or different
(13:40):
ways.
Right.
To discern his voice.
And what I will say is that inmy life experience, God has just.
And I like to say this, and Ithink it's in the book of.
I think it might be psalms orit's job.
Sorry.
He makes my footsteps like butter.
And that is my prayer for everybody.
(14:02):
So many things in my life thathave gotten me to where I am today.
I'm like, I didn't have toreally fight for that.
Why was that so easy?
God's.
God's not about making you doso much hard stuff.
You're wore out.
Like, the Bible says that, youknow, he.
Every perfect gift is from Him.
Right.
So everything he's done in mylife and I've seen Him do in other
(14:25):
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 belistening, 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 hedoes it and he blesses you and he
gives you guidance, it's notgoing to be a fight.
(14:47):
It's just going to come soeasily and feel like the natural
thing to do, like an ahamoment, 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 istrying to confirm.
Right.
He wants to help us knowsomething's right.
(15:09):
But it's normally the devilthat'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 usthat next step.
Right.
And so we can have confidence,confidence in that.
And then also like you said, it's.
(15:30):
We're going to getconfirmation different ways, you
know, like you said.
But.
But he also is looking for usto step out and be obedient by actually
doing stuff.
Right.
In other words, sometimes Ithink as Christians, we want to wait
on God.
Oh, you're preaching now, girl.
Yeah, and I think I've donethat before, too.
You know, you're thinking likeoh, well, I'm waiting for a more
(15:53):
confirmation, But a lot oftimes if we already feel a prompting,
it's because he's waiting forus to be obedient and take a little
step.
That could be any step, likegoing and researching siding, like,
how do I make income?
That could be right.
Going into a networking event.
Right.
It could be asking yourgirlfriend how.
How are you selling your extrastuff for money?
(16:13):
Right.
Like, in other words,sometimes it's just us taking that
little step and having thatwillingness or that bravery to just
ask someone or researchsomething or buy the book on something,
you know, or sign up for, youknow, becoming a shopper or whatever
it might be.
You know, I think we have toremember that as well.
Yeah, I think.
(16:34):
And.
And you made me think of this.
You need to be able to discernbetween waiting on God and your fear.
Because there's a lot ofpeople who say, oh, I'm waiting on
the Lord.
No, you're walking in fearbecause you're too scared to step
out.
And I have seen waste decadeswaiting on something very minute
(16:59):
from an outside perspective.
I'm like, listen, it's time toput one foot in.
If.
If God doesn't want you to goany 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 Godknowing to when to wait and when
it's your fear keeping you back.
Yep, absolutely.
(17:20):
I love it.
So let me ask you this.
You know, I love that you talkabout that when we can do a business
or make income, that allows usto be intentional, to put our own
values right.
Maybe our family, whatever itis, all these things.
First, can you talk to us alittle bit about how does someone
keep those boundaries, though?
(17:40):
Because you are in a job andmost of us have been at some point.
Maybe we are right now in ajob that you just feel like don't
align with your values, ormaybe it doesn't align with that.
You want to be as available toyour family.
And so what would you justshare with us?
What would you speak to us about?
How do we have thoseboundaries and how do we move towards
protecting them and actuallyliving a life where it's as it's
(18:01):
intentional and we are livingthe way we want to.
Right.
So when I was working inretail, it kept me from going to
church every Sunday.
I mean, it was like, you gotto work 12 to 6 every Sunday.
And I'm like, I didn't.
And that goes to a bigger partof my story.
But I didn't come here to.
(18:23):
I moved where I was becauseGod had told me to with, with some
people that had started a church.
And I'm like, I didn't comehere not to go to church, you know,
like move out of state becauseof a church and then have to get
a job that doesn't allow me togo to church.
Right.
And so being prayerful aboutthat is what I was doing during that
(18:44):
time.
And also if I got anopportunity to not work a Sunday,
you know what I mean?
Like, so when thoseopportunities come, taking those.
And then also beingintentional with the, for instance,
like the co workers that Ihad, none of them were Christian.
And you have to recognize too,that part of your frustration and
(19:08):
some of those things that seemlike they're pushing your boundaries
could be an opportunity foryou to minister or to be the light.
So being able to walk out my rel.
Should I say relationship withGod or my Christianity, you know
what I mean?
To be able to walk that out at work.
It actually helped me with myboundaries and not letting people,
(19:32):
you know, kind of come intothat because they kind of get that
instant reverence a little bitlike, oh, let me not say this around
this person.
It's considered offensive andthings like that.
So I, I think just beingauthentically you and your relationship
and your walk with the Lordand then any opportunities that come,
taking those, that's how youset, you know, the.
(19:55):
Some ways that you can setboundaries and not be so, like, cut
and dry with it.
So one thing I talk about onsome 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 workcan be our ministry and actually
just our lives, I think really.
And so what would you justshare with our listeners?
(20:16):
Because I think this is reallyan important point.
If someone maybe hasn't heardthis before or maybe it hasn't sunk
in that ministry isn't justwhen you have an actual thing called
a ministry or when you'reworking in the church.
So what would you just sharewith us about what you've learned
about how your business isreally an extension of, of your.
Of God's ministry.
(20:37):
Exactly.
So I grew up as a pastor's kid.
My Pastor's parented for 20something years.
So I know what, I know all thelingo and the expectations of in,
in the.
Actually some of the thingsthat we as Christians have gotten
wrong so far so long in thechurch oh, everybody's called to
(20:58):
be a.
One of the fivefold offices,or you're called to be a minister
or a pastor.
How many times did you hearyour call to be an employee at McDonald's?
You know, we, we look down atso many other sectors.
Well, you know, you work yourway up to this position.
I don't care.
(21:19):
And you know what?
Actually, I watched adocumentary a long time ago, and
it was about.
It was a Christian documentaryabout some kids.
And one of the little girlssaid they asked her what she wanted
to do when she grew up, and they.
She said, I want to be a nailtechnician because I want to be able
to have that.
That time with my customers,to be able to share the good news
(21:42):
of Jesus.
And that forever changed how Ilooked at work.
So it really doesn't matterwhere, what kind of job you have,
where you're at.
We're called to be the lightin any situation, right?
You don't hide, Hide a light.
It.
Right.
It shines out in the darkness.
(22:04):
So as far as using your.
Whatever your occupation isto, to be a light, think of different
creative ways.
Personally, with thisbusiness, I, I didn't start it with
a goal of, well, I'm going tochange people's lives and spread
the gospel, but by beingmyself, you can't talk to me without
(22:29):
me mentioning God, you'regonna 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 haveother beliefs, they might not have
any religious beliefs.
And.
But then I started noticing,like, things that they would say
would almost mimic or bepiggybacking off of something in
(22:51):
my life that, that had to dowith God.
And I'm like, oh, my gosh.
And then I started havingpeople tell me testimonies, like
I was praying and this.
And then you popped up or this happened.
And so I started to see slowlybut surely how God was using this
crazy thing called mysteryshopping as a tool for me to actually
(23:14):
live out my walk with God andbe able to be a light.
And so I don't.
I'm not intentionally out there.
Like, you need Jesus and letme give you the, the.
The ten Commandments and, Andthat whole spiel.
I'm not doing that.
I'm just being myself.
I bring up the Lord when Ibring up.
(23:36):
It's just being myself.
And so it, I love this topicbecause it's just so good, because
I really feel like whereveryou are, you can be the light.
And it doesn't have to beinside of the church.
It doesn't have to be on thepulpit, 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, whateverit is, use that opportunity to be
(23:58):
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 maydiffer, right.
On this, and I understand,obviously, the Great Commission and
all that, but I think alsothere's different.
People have differentpersonalities and kind of how they
(24:19):
approach faith with otherpeople, you know, and like you said,
I love the.
The idea of that we're alltrying to be the light, but it's
not that we have to pushscripture 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 forpeople, how we're showing people
kindness.
(24:39):
Right.
In other words, it's how weshow up day in and day out, starts
to allow there to be conversation.
A lot of times with people.
It might take a little longersometimes that way.
So, you know, I think it's.
Everybody might do it a littledifferent or feel they might be at
a different place in theirjourney with how they feel comfortable
with that.
But I think it's that by theway you're living, you will.
(25:01):
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 likeyou can handle, you know, even when
circumstances are hard, or whydo you.
Right.
And so I think sometimes it'sjust by doing what we do, where we
do it, that allowsconversations to also come up.
(25:22):
You know, of course, thingslike I've heard, I heard on K Love
a couple months ago, one ofthe people, DJs or whatever or whatever
they call them, she said shewas in a different country on vacation
and they were praying, youknow, before their meal and which,
of course, you know, I do thatwith most of the people when I'm
out.
You know, obviously some of mygroups is, you know, it's mixed groups
(25:43):
and we don't do that maybe asmuch, but I might just do it to myself.
But she said that a woman hadgone in the bathroom at the same
time as her in this foreigncountry and said, you know, I don't
even know that I believe inprayer, but would you pray for my
marriage because she saw thempraying and she, you know, but my
point is, is sometimes it'sjust doing what we do as Christians
(26:03):
that people take notice.
And so when we do that in our workplace.
Right.
In other words, you're noteven trying to tell someone else,
like, oh, this is what Ibelieve and you should.
Right.
It's that by doing what we do,what we believe, people, when they're
ready to see or notice orhear, sometimes will also approach
us because of our actions.
(26:23):
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 knowwhat I mean?
He had co workers that spentthree years with him.
Yeah.
Being around him all the time,learning how he responded, seeing
what he did, that's all he'scalled us to do.
(26:44):
He never was, what's the word?
He never shoved anything downanybody's throat.
He would tell them the truth,but he just lived.
He lived it out.
And I think that especially intoday's age, with the past, I don't
know, however many decadesthat a lot of Christians have spent
(27:10):
kind of ruining our reputation.
Right.
And so now people don't wantto hear it.
You know, the ways that mayhave worked before don't really work
anymore.
People, people have heard it.
They think you're judgmental.
They think all it, it doesn'twork because it was never supposed
to be that way anyway.
We're supposed to live our life.
And so if you're somebody, ifyou're a Christ follower, you have
(27:30):
integrity, you have the fruitsof the spirit.
No, you're not going to beperfect, but walking in that integrity
and, and the fruits of thespirit, people are going, you can't
be around.
Now this might not be the, thegreatest, but what I'm saying is
like you can't be around fireand not get burnt, but fire in a
good way.
You know what I mean?
Like, they're not going to beable to be around you and not feel
(27:51):
something and not be curiouswhen you're walking in, in those
things.
So.
Absolutely.
So good.
Okay, so what would you justshare with people?
Maybe they're listening andone of the reasons maybe they tuned
into this particular episodeis because, you know, we've already
talked a little bit, but we'lltalk a little bit more about how
can you build income or howcan you have faith driven financial
(28:14):
freedom?
Like what would you just wantto 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 extraincome yet, you know, or like I said,
maybe they're saving for something.
Or like you said, maybe theyjust want to lower their spending.
What would you just, how wouldyou encourage them moving forward?
(28:38):
Yeah, well, I would encourageanybody who's feeling kind of like
in that stuck mode of notknowing, like, what to do and what's
going to work.
Pray and God will send you the answer.
Right.
It could be this podcastepisode, it might be another one.
It might be something thatsomebody says that sparks, you know,
(28:58):
something in your, your mind.
It goes back to what I saidabout being able to listen to God
in, in the various ways thathe speaks and understand that it's
okay to be frustrated.
Right.
We all, we all have thoseseasons, but know that seasons change.
And so it doesn't have toalways be this way.
(29:20):
As long as you're listening tothe voice of God and, and discerning
the times and seasons right there.
There are definitely timeswhere 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 andit's just not working.
And I just obviously amprayerful, but recognize like, okay,
(29:40):
God, I'm in this season.
How do I walk in this season?
With some peace and graceuntil, you know, you light that next
step of the path.
And so just giving yourselfsome grace and knowing that it's
okay to be, to be frustratedor, you know, upset, but just know
(30:01):
that seasons change and itwill, will come.
There's nothing that, there'snothing that I can say that's like
this, do this.
Here's the three step processto changing this.
Like, we love to read allthese books, right?
And, and they're helpful, butat the same time, like, sometimes
advice is just so simple.
Right.
We have a flood going on rightnow in, in my area, I'm in Indiana.
(30:23):
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 itbecause this too will pass.
Absolutely.
I mean, you know, recentlyI've been in one of those, you know,
(30:43):
waiting seasons.
And not only waiting, but, youknow, like a season of grief.
You know, there were some, wehad some loss this year, earlier
this year.
And you know, I just, therewould be days where I would Come
to try to sit at my computerand get stuff done.
And it.
I might get something done,but it just felt.
Just couldn't do it.
(31:03):
Right.
But it's just.
I just had to walk throughthat, you know what I'm saying?
Like, because sometimes we dohave such stress and obviously we
want to, you know, work onthat 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 andothers grace because there are.
(31:25):
And there is an ebb and a flowand there are seasons, like you said.
And, you know, if I hadthought, oh, nothing's going to change,
even though there was severallosses in our family, you know, in.
In our neighborhood too, in arow, well, it just wasn't realistic,
right?
I tried.
I tried, but you can't forcesomething when you need space, Right?
Exactly.
(31:46):
It's a process or whatever.
Or maybe you train, you'retransitioning in a different season.
And so it's the same.
It's every season, andeverything is going.
Sometimes it's a preparationseason, right.
Sometimes it's a processingseason, sometimes it's a waiting
season, you know, but that isalways working in us.
We just have to be, like yousaid, give ourselves grace and be
(32:08):
patient that something is coming.
Right?
Something will change, butit's not exactly so good.
So let me ask you, okay, sosince you obviously, you know, you
are the woman, right, you'rethe mystery shopping pro here, what
would you just want to sharewith us about how to begin a journey?
(32:29):
If someone's interested inthat, obviously, I know you started
ishopping.
That's where your focus is.
But what would you just wantto 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, justgoing back when I got.
Was no, there was no manual, right?
(32:51):
There was no how do you do this?
What's the ins and outs?
And so that's a big part ofwhat we do.
So we do offer a free webinarfor anybody that would be interested
in getting more details ongetting started.
But yeah, I mean, we would.
We would love if.
If anyone listening feelsmaybe this is something that is tugging
(33:14):
on you a little bit, like tocheck it out.
We could definitely point youin the right direction and, and give
you all the.
That you need to decidewhether or not this is something
that you want to give a try.
You know, as long as you're atleast 18 years or older and you got
transportation, Internetaccess, some good writing and grammar.
(33:35):
You can do this.
It's not rocket science and itreally is.
It really is a blessing.
So, yeah.
So let me ask you, before youshare with people, you know, where
what your website is, info isand everything, just any last words
of encouragement or justanything that's just speaking to
you.
It could be scripture, youknow, just anything that's lifting
you up that you'd like toshare with other people?
(33:57):
Well, yeah, absolutely.
You know, if you've beenlistening to this, and I would say,
like what we were talkingabout earlier that hit, that did
something to me that was aboutthe waiting, the waiting season and
really knowing whether it'sfear holding you back or not.
(34:20):
Because I would not besurprised if many people who are
watching this are dealing witha form of fear.
And just to remember thatGod's not given us a spirit of fear,
but a power of love and asound mind.
And so hold on to that andwhatever it is that is standing in
front of you or you'restanding in front of whatever door
(34:41):
opportunity is, just do it.
Just try it out, you know, prayerfully.
Yep, I love it.
Okay.
So, Mercedes, can you sharewith us, how can people learn more
about you and about I shop ifthey're interested in those.
Either of those things?
Yeah, absolutely.
So I'm on all social media.
(35:02):
It's kind of scary.
So you can look me up and findme very easily.
If you're interested in themystery shopping portion of things,
you can also find I shop onour website.
It is www.ishop, a GP thatstands for and get paid.
I shop and get paid.com andyou can get started there.
(35:25):
Oh, I love it.
Thank you so much for comingon and sharing with us today.
Just, well, one encouraging,you know, all of us just to take
that next step right, to, youknow, move when we think God might
be trying to tell us to movefor knowing that there is a way to
either replace our income andbeing more intentional with how we
(35:45):
live or to bring in additionalincome or just build another revenue
stream.
And just to encourage us thatsometimes where we're at might not
be the right place.
And I'm not saying peopleshould just always just go quit their
jobs, but other times might bejust the time to do something new.
And sometimes people do thatby trying that new opportunity before
(36:05):
they leave.
But also I just say if youfind yourself in a state situation
where it's toxic or it's justexhausting you and praying and changing
your perspective isn'tshifting anything, right?
And just maybe it's time tolook at some new opportunities, and
maybe this is one of them.
So thank you for coming on andsharing your heart and sharing your
time and sharing about mystery shopping.
(36:29):
Thank you so much for havingme, Kristen.
It's been great.
Absolutely.
All right, friends, as we wrapup today, I just want to share a
couple closing thoughts with you.
The first is I just wanted tobring Mercedes on and share with
you one of hundreds ofdifferent ways that we might step
into our next chapter, maybedoing something different.
(36:51):
Maybe our seasons changed andwe're looking for new opportunities.
And so whether it's somethinglike mystery shopping or something
completely different, I justwant to make sure that our hearts
are open to new possibilities,that we are open to new opportunities.
Right.
She stepped into that becauseof a conversation when she went to
(37:11):
dinner with another couple.
You know, a couple's dinner.
And so that's really the first thing.
And then just, you know, herperspective and what we talked about,
about discerning what Godmight be trying to tell us, not waiting
because it's because fear isholding us back.
Now, there are times when Godis calling us to wait.
(37:32):
Right.
And to prepare.
But sometimes it's becausewe're afraid to take a new step or
do something that we've neverdone before.
And the next thing I reallyjust want to share with you is a
quote that I just saw todayand 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 thatwe're showing up the way that God
(37:57):
sees us.
You know, who he says we areis so much more important than where
we go to work or how we make a living.
Of course those things canmatter, and they do matter.
But here's the quote.
We think our work is the jobwe go to or the place we get a check
from.
No, your work is the veryspecial thing that you add to this
(38:18):
world.
Your vision, your light, yourlove, 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 thatwith you because it's such a good
reminder, right?
It's how we're showing up inthe world, how we're choosing to
(38:41):
be Christlike in our homes,how we're choosing to be Christlike
in whatever job we might begoing to or however we choose to
spend our time.
And so, friends, that truly iswhat matters.
Right.
At the end of the day, more sothan how we, you know, where we clock
in or where we make income or,or get a paycheck.
(39:03):
So I just want to encourageyou be open to your next season.
I know I'm always as I'mchanging, as my interests change
over the decades, I'm open tolooking at what that might mean for
my future, you know, as far ashow I work with people or the type
of collaborations oropportunities that I want to step
(39:24):
into.
And it can be scary.
But the point is, is it'ssomething that I want to keep being
curious about.
I want to iterate.
And it's because I know thatif I'm doing the work I'm meant to
do, the type of work I'm meantto 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 mebe that light.
(39:48):
Let me share with the world my gifts.
Right.
And the things that I want tocontribute in this lifetime.
So.
And I have a great freebie foryou on my website.
It is called creating a lifeyou love.
It is beyond the bucket lists.
It is a journaling workbookwhere there are so many pages for
you to fill in.
(40:08):
And it's not a one day thing.
It is over time you wouldprint and fill in the pages that
most interest you.
But it really is about gettingclear on the life that you want.
It's getting clear on thepicture you have of your thoughts,
your perceptions on how yousee yourself.
It's getting clear on what arethose things that you want to do,
(40:29):
you know, what are yourdreams, 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, beautifulworkbook that you can print.
It's free.
So head over toKristenFitch.com and it's on my freebies
page.
But it is a great one to goand grab or share it with a friend.
(40:52):
Because if you're somebodythat likes lists or you like to see
things visually, you're goingto love it.
So go grab that.
Because even when it has to dowith new opportunities or new finding
new income streams or making alittle bit of, you know, extra money
for vacations, that workbookhas areas for, you know, what, what
(41:13):
are our goals in the differentareas of our lives.
So I think it will help youget 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 tothe show and if you enjoyed today's
episode, we would love it ifyou could take a minute to leave
a rating and review on ApplePodcasts because it helps our show
(41:36):
get discovered by more people.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.