Meet Stephanie Cooper

Back in 2018, I joined the “Pray for Your Future Spouse” Challenge through Jamal and Natasha Miller’s platform, The One University or TOU on Facebook. I met Alandria Lloyd through this challenge along with some other amazing people. Alandria and I formed a friendship and she invited me to join her group on Facebook. I had no idea when I met Alandria online that she and I would form a great friendship. Alandria allowed the Lord to use her to push me to become a published author and entrepreneur. I never set out to do these things. I never thought that I would write a book about being sexually molested as a little girl and what I had to go through to become who I am today. I shared that testimony with Alandria, and she told me I had to share it in her book. I was honored, excited, and scared out of my mind. No one knew what happened except my mother and stepfather. I told them when I was 21 or 22 years old.

I did not know what to expect, but “Dear Young Woman: There’s Triumph After the Trial” was what the world was waiting for and needed. That book opened so many doors for me as an individual. I also co-authored “Dear Young Woman: Readjust Your Crown” and that led to me writing an e-book “Until the Wait is Over: When Will My Season Come?” and my solo book “Blessed is She That Believed” which led me to begin my business Blessed Is She That Believed LLC where I develop websites, logos, and start social media pages for small businesses. When the Bible says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 KJV), I am a true testament to this verse. I had plans for my life that did not include being an author or an entrepreneur. My plans did not include what God wanted for me at all. I had my whole life planned. Married by 24, 4 kids by 30, a house with a wrap-around porch, two dogs, and a career in education. That was the life I had planned for myself. Nothing wrong with making plans, but the thing is the Lord has so much more for us than we could ever think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). He wants to bring you and I to an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

Now at 35, I look back and see that the winding road, the stops, the on and off ramps, the traffic jams were all there to work out for my good. If there was enough time for me to tell everything that has happened to me from 2018-2021, there would not be enough time to tell it all. In essence, let me leave you with this: Trust the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He WILL direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

In order to tell you about my business I have to tell you about food. As I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw the most delicious BBQ plate I had ever seen. I knew I had to have that food. One of my friends mentioned the name of the business, and I clicked on the name. Nothing happened. I clicked again. And again. Again. And Again. Nothing. I noticed in my hangry state of mind that the name of the business was not highlighted in blue. The business had no social media page! Now with the taste of BBQ on my palate I had to go find some. I arrive to another start up BBQ restaurant, and the owner handed me a menu. The menu was not pleasing to the eye. It did not make me want to keep it as a part of my “restaurant stash” that I have in my house.

Actually, it was easily forgettable. This bothered me because the food is so delicious, and the owner is a sweetheart. I thought about this business, and the others I see on Facebook and it made me so sad that these people put all their time and money into starting their small business, but they did not get their social media, websites, or logos for it. I am a photographer as well. I take headshots and photos of my clients to put on the flyers, websites, and social media pages. The Lord spoke to me in that moment and showed me the entire layout for my business. I came right home and wrote everything down (Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV). I surrendered to the Lord and told Him wherever He leads I will go, and here I am designing websites, setting up social media accounts, creating business flyers and logos, and also formatting resumes. I want small businesses, especially small black owned businesses become the best they can be after putting everything they have into getting it started. My stepfather has his own business. I have seen firsthand how much time business owners put into their business to make sure everything is just right. With all of the long nights and tiresome days, thinking of making a website and taking care of the fine details can be pushed to the back burner. I want to take that off the back burner and finish cooking the small business owner while they sit at the table, they have built for themselves. I am the most proud as a brand that I am able to do this and give the owners a voice in every aspect of what goes on their website, logo, flyer, etc. I am also proud that the Lord has given me this gift and has allowed it to make room for me and my gifts will bring me before great men (Proverbs 18:16 KJV).

My life has changed since I have met Alandria. She asked me to co-author “Dear Young Woman: There’s Triumph After the Trial” when I was in a frustrating time in my life. I was sobbing in my classroom after my students had gone to recess. I asked one of the paraprofessionals who I worked closely with and she was my prayer warrior at that time in my life, “What does God want me to do? I want Him to tell me exactly what He wants me to do!”

At that very moment, I hear my phone ding. It is a Facebook message from Alandria asking me could I share my testimony of being molested when I was a young girl in the book. Alandria and I have exchanged ideas. We have prayed with and for each other. Alandria is like one of my big sisters. She has encouraged me and helped me in more ways than I can count. Her company The Writer’s Block LLC is phenomenal. The only thing I had to take care of was writing my book. The cover design for my solo book, The Writer’s Block LLC, nailed it the first time. I gave Alandria my ideas for my cover design, and it is what I saw in my mind but could not formulate with words. I really appreciate Alandria’s gift of listening. She really hears your heart, and she hears from the Lord which is the most important thing when working with someone like Alandria.