Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicité Cesaire.
Felicité, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started when my family always believed I was the light, pride/joy of my family including my mom and dad’s dream girl. I always knew God had protected me and kept me for something impactful. Instead of finishing college I went on to serve as a missionary in nations never thought I’d ever see, unless I had a great job or won the lottery. By sharing my story with photography God, family, friends and strangers donated thousands of dollars for me to learn more about listening to the voice of God. In 2013, I left my hometown Boston, MA to live in Germany, Africa, Hungary, Poland. Fast forward to God taking me out of my comfort zone and maturing me in my faith, I came back home to realize after such a transforming time I was experiencing a deep depression. Thinking I would get out of that place I took another leap of faith where complete strangers, my mom and family funded a trip for me to read/study the entire bible in Los Angeles, CA. I was fighting back and forth with God, “why me, the girl who left school and is in the middle of depression, would you lead to read the whole bible?” All I knew was that hope kept me alive, God kept me there to show me something very specific. As a group, my bible school was reading the book of Proverbs & Psalms. Then the reason for moving me CLICKED! He was choosing me for this huge task I visualized called The Furnace is For Gold. I was like wait I have never noticed this before, never even heard a sermon about it, but God made me pay attention that day. I looked forward and realized this whole time God has been trying to refine my character, to make me better for His Glory. I knew at that moment something that hindered my family for a long time was my passion project. I began to talk about my mental health obstacles, as well as what my family experienced over the years. That saved me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. We all go through ups and downs, even as I answer these questions I’m pressing through. Dealing with mental health obstacles and healing takes a lot of responsibility. To start a brand talking about it and being open/honest about your process isn’t the easiest things in the world. What truly helped me are the experiences I had where I wasn’t pressured by what others wanted for my life, strictly keeping my eyes fixed on something bigger than me and most importantly having people who didn’t get upset with me if I was away for a while. I started the mission/brand with friends who did my logo because I didn’t know, teaching myself how to do a website, following who consider the greats (if you know me you’ll know my YouTube mentor is Maya Washington!), and having people that genuinely wanted to support and represent The Furnace Is For Gold.
The advice I would give is do not listen to anyone who makes you feel guilty. Seriously, if the only thing that lights your fire is the one thing you are beyond passionate about, GO FOR IT! Start. You can do it. Having other creatives around doing what they love and even if you stop because it’s hard to stay inspired, KEEP GOD AT THE CENTER, look for the Light, God in everything and know he will refuel you. I’m speaking from my current experience of being hesitant to even do this interview. I was reminded of what it feels like to serve again and that reignited the flame. I pray it doesn’t go out.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Furnace Is For Gold – what should we know?
For work, I specialize in Social Media Management for a retail/sneaker boutique in ATL, Content Creating and a bit of Marketing. I do photography as a hobby and when I can, I love to help friends bring their ideas to life. My passion is to share my stories of how I keep going even through some doubts of depression. I have a site called TheFurnaceisForGold.com and hope to one day start a podcast to interview creative entrepreneurs on their process and progress, so that others who are hesitating to start can be reminded that they can achieve goals as they heal.
I’m most proud of the fact that I started. It’s not big, but I know it has made an impact through people telling me how much the little I have done shifted their perspective on life, mental health and entrepreneurship. Feels great and I look forward to my healing process so I continue to expand.
Hmmm, what sets me apart is that nothing comes from and is for me, God has given me all these ideas, the passion and courage to do, to be exactly who he called me to be. I think of everyone else’s breakthrough before I think of mine. Seeing others experience breakthrough/freedom in their minds helps me heal. I’ve seen many people, creatives, to be exact, not start because of doubt, depression and past trauma. That isn’t how it’s going to end;
It has not been a smooth road at all. We all go through ups and downs, even as I answer these questions, I’m pressing through. Dealing with mental health obstacles and healing takes a lot of responsibility. To start a brand talking about it and being open/honest about your process isn’t the easiest or most comfortable thing to do. However, in the act, it is truly freeing and rewarding. What truly helped me are the experiences I had where I wasn’t pressured by what others wanted for my life, strictly keeping my eyes fixed on something bigger than me and most importantly having people who didn’t get upset with me if I was away for a while. I started the mission/ brand with a friend who created my logo because I didn’t know how, teaching myself how to do a website, following those who are considered “the greats” (If you know me, you’ll know my youtube mentor is Maya Washington!), and having people that genuinely wanted to support and represent The Furnace Is For Gold.
The advice I would give is do not listen to anyone who makes you feel guilty. Seriously, if the only thing that lights your fire is the one thing you are beyond passionate about, GO FOR IT! Start. You can do it. Having other creatives around doing what they love and even if you stop because it’s hard stay inspired, KEEP GOD AT THE CENTER, and look for the Light!
God is in everything and know he will refuel you. I’m speaking from my current experience of being hesitant to even do this interview. I was reminded of what it feels like to serve again and that reignited the flame. I pray it doesn’t go out. Thank you for this opportunity!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Honestly, yes and no. What’s most important for me is that God always had his hand over my life. He always kept/protected me even in the midst of all the death, mental health obstacles and life’s struggles that everyone experiences. What truly helped was that my mother allowed me to figure things out for myself even if she wanted certain things for me. I had specific people who wanted to see me succeed and that’s what helped me understand what support really meant. If I didn’t experience what I did growing up, I wouldn’t have this story to tell about healing and how attainable it is.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thefurnaceisforgold.com
- Email: info@thefurnaceisforgold.com
- Instagram: @thefurnaceisforgold, @felicite.cesaire
- Twitter: twitter.com/felicitecesaire
Image Credit:
Katelyn Ortega, @ktlynortgo, Wildy Civil, @NikonPapi, Felicite Cesaire, Liberia 2014
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