Dare to Dream

When I started painting in 2020, I never imagined it would turn into a business. But here I am, five years later. Much of that is thanks to the encouragement and motivation from my husband, who constantly believes in me and pushes me to keep going.

Stepping into Something New

Over a year ago, I began exploring how to turn my artwork into products. Still, I didn’t think my art was good enough to sell on its own. At the same time, I felt called to use my business as a platform to share my story and encourage others to step out in faith.

The only way I could do that authentically was by living it out myself.

A Life of Faith

Since becoming a Christian, my life has been nothing short of a faith walk. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age 12, was baptized at 13, and received the call to be a missionary at 15.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what a missionary was besides Mother Teresa, who represented what I thought every missionary had to be. And honestly, I didn’t want to be one. I dreamed of getting married someday, and in my mind, being a missionary meant giving all that up.

I imagined a life in a remote village, building wells, helping widows, and feeding orphans. All beautiful things but as a teenager, I wasn’t ready to give up the dream of a "happily ever after."

Still, I couldn’t shake the thought of being a missionary. It took root.

The Call Confirmed

Not long after, someone from my church approached me and said they believed God had shown them I would travel to nations. That confirmation led to a conversation with my pastor, which eventually led me to Bible college and later, overseas.

Even during college, I faced major trials. I was in a severe accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. I spent three months in the hospital and a year in outpatient therapy. That was in 2008.

It didn’t look like much good could come from that season but God was doing something beautiful beneath the surface.

From Canada to Korea

I graduated in 2011 and soon after felt the call to move to South Korea, where I lived until 2018. It wasn’t easy, but knowing I wasn’t walking alone gave me the strength to keep going.

In 2018, I returned to Canada. The next year, I traveled to Honolulu for a missions training program, which then brought me to Indonesia and Malaysia. After the program ended, I moved back to Canada to help our local church with youth ministry, something God had placed on my heart during my time in Malaysia.

Trusting the Nudge

I didn’t want to return to Canada, but that nudge in my spirit was too familiar. I knew it was God directing me.

Around that time, I also felt led to try online dating. In 2020, I met my now-husband. But the world had just entered lockdown. He was in the States, and I was in Canada. With travel halted and the youth ministry paused, we weren’t sure when we’d meet in person.

During our conversations, I mentioned that I used to paint but didn’t think I was very good at it. I had given it up. That’s when he encouraged me to pick up the brush again.

The Birth of Velvet Rose Studios

I’ve shared this part of our story many times, but it’s true—he is the reason behind Velvet Rose Studios.

I truly believe God used my husband to guide and encourage me on this journey. God works in mysterious ways, and He can use anyone and anything for His mission.

When I started this business, I began with shoes. To me, shoes symbolize stepping out in faith, the very thing I want to encourage others to do.

I share my story because I want you to know that God is faithful and He is good, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Dare to Dream

Today, I’m living in the U.S. with a green card. It was a difficult, complicated process. And the future? Still full of unknowns.

But one thing I know: God has been good and faithful again and again. And He never changes.

This pair of shoes is called Dare to Dream—and that’s exactly what it represents. I started designing it, then put it down for a while. Eventually, I picked it up again and just allowed myself to have fun with it, not knowing where it would lead.

So wherever you are on your journey...

Trust the process.