Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Walker.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
Growing up as a young child in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area I never dreamed I would be where I am today. I am the sixth child out of nine children. My early childhood years were filled with an outpouring of love by my mother who did the best she could to raise her family. However, at the age of five years old I was removed from the love and care of my mother and placed into the Ohio foster care system. During the most formative and impressionable years of my childhood I lived in three foster homes throughout a two-year time period. During these years in foster care I experienced emotional abuse, neglect, violations of my person and psychological abuse from the hands of those who were in charge of me in foster care that no little girl should ever have to experience or endure. However, throughout those years I discovered that I had a love for education. Though I was enduring such grave hardship, something as simple as reading would give me a great escape from the turmoil. At the age of five I taught myself how to read. By discovering the joy of reading at an early age; I was able to escape the traumas that were occurring through the gift of reading. Looking back these early events were trying to help shape my identity and define me. Somehow, I knew my time in foster care wouldn’t last forever; which it did not. There would always be a certain peace that would follow me over those years. I didn’t know it then but it was the peace of God and that’s what kept me during those uncertain years. However, unbeknownst to me God was always working behind the scenes on my behalf.
In 2011 I graduated from college with honors and I was accepted to work at the No. 1 federal banking agency in the nation. I was so enthused about this new chapter in my life. However, shortly after graduation I found out that I was expecting my first child. Here I was 22, working in the federal banking industry and a newly single parent living in NYC. Life then seemed to be moving very fast. Inwardly I didn’t have a true identity. My identity then had been shaped by my past childhood experiences and my current environment. Looking back during this time of my life, God had a route of escape for me and he wanted to redeem me from my past. When we find ourselves in trouble or dealing with life’s unexplained situations and circumstances God wants us to run to him and not turn away from him. He wants to provide us with his abundance of grace to help us to overcome these types of situations. He eagerly waits to restore us back to whole again through his exceeding love and kindness toward us. We are his children and he has a perfect plan for our lives. However, at this time in my life I didn’t know this and as the months went by after the birth my daughter I began to become physically and mentally weakened due to the added pressure of single motherhood. I left NYC behind and came to Atlanta in 2013 at the age of 23 with my then 1-year-old child. I came in search of a new life. After arriving in Atlanta, I was met with failed promises, disappointments and hardships. I had become very weary which led me to seek protection and shelter at the Atlanta Mission Women’s and Children’s shelter here in Atlanta. This was one of the most difficult decisions I had ever had to make in my young adult life. I remember thinking once we were at the shelter how did I end up like this? I remember blaming myself and thinking I must have done something so wrong for me to be in this place. However, when we find ourselves in the hard places of life blaming yourself and condemning yourself is not the route to take. It only leads to further destruction and havoc. Years later looking back the shelter was a place of protection so that God could preserve me so that he could lead me to the beautiful place in my life that he has me in now.
I have realized that there is an enemy and that enemy comes to still, kill, and destroy. It is easily accomplished by not knowing your true identity in Jesus Christ. I lived in the Atlanta Mission Women and Children’s homeless shelter for almost three months in 2013. After receiving rest, a safe haven and love I began to believe I could live again and that the Father did love me. I know God does not cause bad things to happen to us and I know he didn’t cause homelessness to come upon me because he is only the author of good things. However, what was meant to harm me the Father used it to work for my good. It was through this experience I learned that a part of my life’s calling is to help societies’ most vulnerable citizens to discover their true value in Jesus Christ so that they can know they have the choice to live a purposeful and productive life through Jesus Christ. Out of this experience coupled with my childhood experiences; God gave me the idea and dream to create The Wonderfully Made Doll Collection.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
The journey to where God has me now has not been a smooth road. However, it’s been a rewarding journey. I say it’s been rewarding because I have been able to grow into a woman who is fortified and able to stand in the truth of who God created me to be, which is an overcomer. When God gave me the idea to create a children’s doll collection which went on to win the No.1 Toy and Doll of The Year and is currently sold at Walmart and formerly at Toys R US; I had no idea how to design toys. Prior to deciding to pursue creating the doll collection; the idea to create a children’s toy stayed with me for weeks and wouldn’t go away. I knew this idea was a good idea. After a few weeks of the idea staying with me I decided this was something I would like to pursue. However, I had one issue? I didn’t know how to create a children’s toy. I asked the Father! The Father says in his holy written word in Mathew 7:7 “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened unto to you”. That’s what he exactly did! Once I began to do research in the children’s toy market, I saw there was a need for refreshing Christian faith-based toys within the American toy market. After discovering this the Father spoke to me and said “Show my people how beautiful they are.” From there Wonderfully Made Doll Collection was birthed and launched in February 2017. When God gives you a good idea to develop or create something for the greater good of people and you begin to purse the idea, his provision will be there. Knowing that this idea was from the Father and that he wanted me to pursue it, it followed along with fire and desire internally to create this children’s doll collection. Also, along the way the Father allowed me to see things that confirmed I was going along the right path that I was supposed to be on as it related to pursuing this dream.
My advice for other women just starting their journey is to always remember you were created in love and you are deeply valued by God. Through his love for you he only has good ahead of you and he wants to show you how much he loves you in a tangible and lavish way. If you are looking to start a business or create a new product or service in your existing business; a good way to know if an idea is from God is that it’ll be rooted in who God’s nature is. God’s nature is good! Whatever idea the Father gives you; it’ll be good because it’s who he is, it’ll be able to help solve a present problem, it will be able to tremendously bless others and will be able to transform the lives of people in a positive way. By his grace you’ll be only able to develop the product, business or service he’s placed in your heart to do. God’s grace is the Father simply providing for you in a lavish way in which you cannot do for yourself. Praise God, as his grace never ends for you! You will not be able to do it in your own strength. Which allows for a deeper experience with the Father and you will come to know his powerful abilities and love for you personally. The Wonderfully Made Doll Collection has made a positive impact in the lives of children throughout the world and it’s been by God’s grace that I have come this far with the product.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a brand, organization or service provider? What sets you apart from others?
I am the creator of The Wonderfully Made Doll Collection which encourages children to believe in their wonderfully made identity given to them by God. It is through out of the lenses of how we see ourselves in this world; which will ultimately determine what we receive in this life. Since our launch The Wonderfully Made Doll Collection was voted by the Creative Child Magazine as the 2017 Toy & Doll of The Year. God has allowed my children’s toy company to be on platforms with Toys R US and is now currently available at Walmart.com. I am a graduate of Charis Bible College where I majored in Biblical Studies. It was at Charis Bible College where I received my foundational training in the word of God and where I got to establish my heart in the grace of God. Since I was 12 years old God gave me the dream to become a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, that dream has begun to unfold in a very beautiful way through God’s love and grace. I started Heidi Walker Ministries which the Father put in my heart to start to help men, women and children to discover their true identity in Jesus Christ so that they may know they are an overcomer in all things. Thereby, transforming lives and making a positive impact in the world. Heidi Walker Ministries has been called to also specifically help women who have experienced life traumas such us childhood physical, sexual and emotional abuse, women who have experienced homelessness, single parenthood, incarcerated women and women involved in sex trade and trafficking. Sex trade and trafficking is a major issue that currently effects the lives of so many young women in Atlanta. Through effectively ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to these women their eyes of understanding can be opened to their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through God’s grace and their faith in God’s grace and love for them they ultimately can overcome these circumstances and enter into the perfect will of God for their lives free of shame, guilt and condemnation.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
I enjoy listening to the Joel Osteen podcast. He has a lot of great inspirational power packed messages that help me at the appropriate times. I love listening to gospel and contemporary Christian music as well as country gospel music (if that’s a thing, smile) and I love listening to a lot of upbeat 70’s soul music. I am currently reading a book by Andrew Wommack called Excellence. Which is a book about how to have an excellent spirit in the sight of God which leads to promotion in all areas of life. One of my favorite books that helped to set me free from emotional bondage and into the Father’s healing for my life was written by one of my favorite ministers, Joyce Meyer and it is called Beauty for Ashes. I would encourage any woman who wants to experience true freedom in Jesus Christ from past pains from traumas associated with emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse and or physical abuse to read this book. This book helped with me growing closer in my relationship with the Lord and in learning that God had beauty in store for me in exchange for areas in my life where the enemy had initially stolen from me. God has truly repaid me and has continually given me beauty for my ashes.
Pricing:
- The Wonderfully Made Doll Collection can be purchased directly from www.Mommyandmetoys.com for $15.99 each.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mommyandmetoys.com
- Email: Heidiwalker@mommyandmetoys.com and for ministry related information please email Heidiwalkerministries@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mommyandmetoys.com & www.facebook.com/Heidiwalkerministries
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