Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Roper.
Hi Carol, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for house design so I obtained my associates degree in architectural engineering and promptly began working in an architectural firm. But the job wasn’t as fulfilling as I’d hoped because I ended up mostly drawing grocery stores or commercial buildings. After working there five years my sister-in-law and I bought a floral and gift shop in our home town of Fountain Inn. We enjoyed that immensely, but after five years we ended up having to sell due the business to not being able to financially sustain itself. But after leaving that venture I was able to draw houses from my home and which was a blessing as I was able to be with my kids more. Just before selling the flower shop, I began working in women’s ministry at our church. I was just 29 years old when my pastor asked if I’d be interested in being the assistant teacher for a newly developed women’s Sunday school class. Happily accepting the position it led me to many great moments developing women’s events, retreats and conferences and did that for quite a few years. In 2011 I started writing just as my daughter was about to graduate high school. I felt lost with her leaving and wasn’t sure what my purpose was anymore. I felt God calling me to start writing but didn’t know how, so I joined a local writers group a friend told me about and that started my journey. I began writing a blog and going to writers conferences to learn the skills needed to grow my writing. In 2016 my blog won first place at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for a series I’d written called Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home. Soon after, I stopped writing for a while due to family needs. But in 2019 I felt God calling me to start a podcast titled Building Strong Homes, since it tied into my occupation as well as my passion for women’s ministry. But just as I was about to embark on that journey I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully it was caught very early and only needed a lumpectomy and radiation. I finished my last treatment on January 31, 2020 and turned my attention back to learning how to podcast. Then on March 13, the world shut down from Covid and I wasn’t sure how to proceed. But after a couple of months I realized I may as well make the best of the time and set my sights on airing my first episode on December 1, 2020. On December 10 my father died unexpectedly from Covid. I was angry and really wanted to quit, but my brother told me he and Dad prayed every week for the podcast to reach people all over the world, so I continued on. I’ve now been podcasting almost six years and have met so many wonderful people and been given awesome opportunities to interview some prominent figures in the Christian arena. I feel my podcast gives a platform for those who have no way of sharing the stories God has written for them, so I can allow them to share them on the podcast.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. As mentioned, I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before trying to start the podcast, then my dad died from Covid 10 days later. The struggle is real trying to get the podcast in front of people daily. Sometimes I’ve wanted to give up because it is really hard, but God keeps giving me encouragement to keep going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The goal of my podcast is to encourage and equip women to keep building strong in their homes and families. It’s so easy to give into the upside-down culture and not be vigilant in teaching and leading and loving our families well. That’s why I share people’s hard stories as well as practical tips and bits of my own testimony. I don’t want them to give up on their families. Wives and mothers many times don’t that they are the backbone of the family. They set the tone for the home. I want them to know they are making a difference, even when it feels like nothing is working in the moment.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Pray about where God wants you. If it’s not His will for you then you don’t even want to take a step in that direction. Also, remember it won’t be easy. You have to psyche yourself up to get things done even when you don’t see progress. But perseverance does eventually pay off. And when you hear how something you’re doing has made a difference in someone’s life, it will spur you on to keep going. Also, don’t do it alone. It is so lonely working to build a business or ministry. Going to conferences and finding small groups who share your passions and who actually get you will go a long way in keeping you in the call. I also joined a mastermind, which has been a great blessing, having women who understand my challenges is a gift, and it’s worth the price.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carolroper.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/building_strong_homes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554990453090
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-roper-b03273110/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLG79TuT-T59tQaBHiY9dQ
