In this episode, Kymone Hinds interviews Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt, a leader in social justice and youth work, and founder of the Moriah Group. Dr. Tsoi-A-Fatt discusses her Trinidadian upbringing, her mother's influence on her views of equity, and the challenges of starting her own consulting firm. She emphasizes aligning work with one's calling and faith, and the importance of making a difference in marginalized communities. Dr. Tsoi-A-Fatt also offers practical advice on establishing a business, securing grants, and the spiritual aspect of her work, including a healing retreat center funded by Mackenzie Scott. The episode concludes with Dr. Tsoi-A-Fatt sharing how faith plays a role in entrepreneurship and the power of overcoming fear to pursue one's dreams.

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Visit our website: http://monetizeyourministrypodcast.com/

Visit Moriah Group’s website: http://www.themoriahgroup.com/

Show Notes

00:00 Intro to the Podcast

**Introducing Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt (00:02:16)**
Kymone welcomes Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt, praising her work and expressing excitement about her being a guest on the podcast.

**Dr. Rhonda's Passion for Equity (00:05:56)**
Dr. Rhonda shares her childhood experiences in Trinidad and Tobago and the inequities she observed in the education system, sparking her passion for providing equity and equality for youth.

**Realization of Ministry (00:14:25)**
Dr. Rhonda discusses how she recognized her work as her ministry early on and the intertwining of her faith and professional work.

**Starting the Moriah Group (00:16:21)**
Dr. Rhonda explains the pivotal moments that led her to start her own consulting firm, the Moriah Group, and how it was influenced by her grandmother's legacy.

**Building a Business Model (00:19:42)**
Kymone and Dr. Rhonda explore the business model of the Moriah Group and how it aligns with the concept of monetizing ministry, including the significance of receiving funds to support the ministry's goals.

**Business Growth and Structure (00:23:56)**
Dr. Rhonda shares the challenges of business growth, the need for professional development, and the importance of structuring the business for compliance and growth.

**Evolution of Role in the Moriah Group (00:28:17)**
Dr. Rhonda talks about the transition from hands-on work to a leadership role as the company grows, emphasizing the shift from operational work to big-picture visioning.

**Packaging Services and Grant Funding (00:31:10)**
The conversation covers different ways the Moriah Group offers its services, including intermediary grant-making and licensing written curriculum, along with tips for securing grant funding.

**Overcoming Pushback and Staying Positive (00:33:40)**
Dr. Rhonda addresses the pushback against critical race theory and the importance of focusing on allies and supporters to stay positive and motivated in the face of opposition.

**Healing Retreat Center (00:36:16)**
Dr. Rhonda shares the vision and progress of building a healing retreat center, including the land blessing ceremony and the goal of providing a safe space for activists and leaders.

**Securing Grant Funding (00:38:47)**
Dr. Rhonda provides advice on finding and applying for grant opportunities, emphasizing the importance of legal paperwork, clear articulation of mission, and dispelling misconceptions about nonprofit finances.

**Dealing with Rejection and Activating Faith in Business (00:43:06)**
The conversation addresses the challenges of rejection in business, the role of faith, and the power of prayer in achieving business goals.

**Dreaming big (00:47:50)**
Discussion on the importance of dreaming audaciously and following God's lead in ministry and business, leading to unexpected success and impact.

**Encouragement to think bigger (00:53:25)**
Kymone encourages listeners to think bigger in pursuing their calling and to take inspiration and knowledge gained from the episode out into the world.