From Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Break Free From Your Day Job” a 5 – Day Devotional by Tola Olabiyi

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This devotional is designed to guide you through the journey of breaking free from the limitations that hold you back from stepping into your God-given purpose as an entrepreneur. Let’s take this journey together, trusting that God will direct your steps as you step out in faith.

Entrusted Women

Day 1

Embracing Your Call to Entrepreneurship

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 8:28

Have you ever felt a deep sense that you were made for more? That there’s a calling on your life that goes beyond your current job or situation? God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us. For some, it’s serving in ministry. For others, it’s raising a family. And for others, it’s entrepreneurship. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that God has placed a vision inside of you to step into the business world. Perhaps you’ve felt this tug for years, but fear, uncertainty, or self-doubt has kept you from acting on it. You’re not alone. 

I spent years knowing deep down that God was calling me to more, but I didn’t know what it looked like. I was working as a nurse and loved my job. I also had a love for baking cakes. I started a business selling cupcakes, but it didn’t succeed the way I hoped. I questioned whether I was really meant to be an entrepreneur. But even after that failure, the calling never went away. That’s when I realized: God doesn’t always call us to an easy journey, but He calls us to a purposeful one. Just because I failed once didn’t mean I wasn’t called to this. 

Today, I want to encourage you to embrace that calling. It’s the first step toward your emancipation from whatever is holding you back. You were created for this purpose. Don’t let fear, doubt, or failure stop you. God knew you before you were born, and He’s appointed you for a specific mission—whether that’s launching a new business, scaling an existing one, or transitioning into entrepreneurship. 

Reflection Question: What is the vision or business idea that God has placed on your heart? What has held you back from pursuing it? 

Day 2

Overcoming Fear and Doubt 

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

Joshua 1:6-9, Deuteronomy 1:29-31, Psalms 27:1

Fear can be one of the most crippling forces in our lives, especially when we are stepping into something new and uncertain, like entrepreneurship. After my first business failed, I did not want to step into entrepreneurship again. My journey back was gradual, and I was determined not to make the same mistakes I made. To be honest, there were times that I wondered if my investment in my business would pay off, and “What if I don’t succeed”? began to cloud my decision-making. I questioned whether I was truly meant to be an entrepreneur or if I should just stay in my comfort zone of being a nurse. 

But here’s the thing: fear is not from God. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear is a tactic the enemy uses to keep us from stepping into our God-given destiny. It’s easy to let fear convince us that we aren’t capable or that failure is inevitable. But God has already equipped us with the tools we need to succeed. He has given us the power to overcome obstacles, the love to push past negativity, and the sound mind to make wise decisions in business and in life. 

When the Israelites were leaving Egypt, they, too, had to battle fear. Even though God had shown them His power and promised them freedom, they still doubted whether they could fully step into the Promised Land. They had lived in slavery for so long that the idea of freedom felt distant and almost unattainable. In the same way, we can become slaves to our own fears and doubts, unable to fully embrace the freedom and purpose God has for us. 

Breaking free from limiting beliefs and fears is part of the journey to emancipation. It means rejecting the mindset that tells you, “You’ll never make it,” and replacing it with the truth of God’s Word: You are called, you are equipped, and you are capable. God has already gone before you to prepare the way. 

Today, I encourage you to reflect on any fears or limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. Write them down, pray over them, and ask God to replace those fears with His truth and give you the courage to move forward in your business. 

Reflection: What limiting beliefs or fears are holding you back from stepping fully into your calling? How can you replace them with God’s truth? 

Day 3

Trusting God’s Timing

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Proverbs 3:5, Genesis 41:14-16, Genesis 41:37-44

Have you ever felt like you were ready for success, but the door wasn’t opening? Or maybe you’ve been working on your business for years, and things haven’t come together the way you imagined. I’ve been there. After the failure of my first business, I wanted immediate success in my next venture. I was ready to jump in with both feet, but God’s timing wasn’t aligned with mine. There were seasons where doors stayed closed, and I couldn’t understand why. 

It’s important to remember that God’s timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time and season for everything. Just because something isn’t happening right now doesn’t mean it never will. God may be preparing you in ways you don’t yet understand. The waiting season can feel frustrating, but it’s also a time of growth. During the waiting season, I learned the value of prayer, patience, and obedience. God was developing my character, sharpening my skills, and deepening my trust in Him. The time spent in my nursing career helped develop my time management, customer service, and leadership skills that I now use in my business. In the book of Genesis, we see that at the right time, Joseph was brought out of prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. This set him on the path of becoming the number 2 ruler in Egypt. He waited for many years, and at the appointed time, he was set free from prison. 

Trusting God’s timing is part of the process of emancipation. It’s about surrendering control and believing that He knows the perfect time to open the right doors. That doesn’t mean you should sit back and do nothing. Keep working, keep growing, and keep seeking Him. But remember, His timing is always best. Don’t rush the process, and don’t get discouraged if things aren’t moving as fast as you’d like. 

Reflection: Are you struggling to trust God’s timing in your business or life? What steps can you take today to surrender control and trust His plan? 

Day 4

Emancipating Your Mindset

Scripture: Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Isaiah 30:21, Psalms 1:1-3

One of the most challenging parts of transitioning from employee to entrepreneur is the shift in mindset. As an employee, I was used to following someone else’s schedule, completing tasks assigned to me, and collecting a steady paycheck. But when I stepped into entrepreneurship, everything changed. I had to learn how to be the leader, how to make strategic decisions, and how to create opportunities for income. The shift was jarring at first, but it was necessary for growth. 

Romans 12:2 talks about renewing our minds, and that’s exactly what entrepreneurship requires—a complete transformation of the way you think. You have to stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like a business owner. This means taking ownership of your business, your time, and your success. It means being willing to take risks, make investments, and trust God in new ways. 

I learned that as an entrepreneur, I had to set my own goals, make my own marketing decisions, and build a network of support. It wasn’t easy, but with every step I took, God met me and guided me. He can do the same for you. Today, ask God to help you shift your mindset from employee to entrepreneur. It’s time to embrace the freedom, responsibility, and opportunities that come with owning your business. 

Reflection: In what ways do you still think like an employee? What steps can you take to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset?

Day 5

Faith in Action

Scripture: James 2:17 (NIV)
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Hebrews 11:1-2, Psalms 32:8, Isaiah 58:11

Faith without action is dead. That’s what James tells us, and it’s a principle I’ve lived out in my entrepreneurial journey. After my first business failed, I was tempted to sit back and “wait for a sign” from God before trying again. But I learned that faith isn’t just about waiting—it’s about taking action. You can’t just hope for success; you have to work for it. 

The story of the Israelites leaving Egypt is a perfect example of this. They cried out to God for deliverance, and He sent Moses to lead them out of slavery. But their freedom didn’t magically appear—they had to physically walk out of Egypt to reach the Promised Land. They had to pack their belongings, gather their families, and leave the only life they knew, trusting that God would guide them. Their journey to freedom required action, not just faith. 

Similarly, when God calls you into entrepreneurship, there comes a point where you have to stop dreaming and start moving. Like the Israelites, you must be willing to leave behind your “Egypt”—whether that’s the security of a paycheck, fear of failure, or the comfort of the familiar. God can open the door, but you have to walk through it. 

Taking action isn’t easy. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things that might feel risky or unfamiliar. But just as the Israelites took the necessary steps toward their Promised Land, you must take bold steps toward your entrepreneurial goals. It’s time to put your faith into action, knowing that God is with you, guiding you through each phase of your journey. 

Reflection: What action can you take today to align your faith with your entrepreneurial calling? What “Egypt” do you need to leave behind? 

My prayer for you as you embrace your purpose and embark on your journey is that God will sustain you, transform, and guide you into becoming the successful entrepreneur you are created to be.