Finding Faith and Purpose in Business: Kasey Yerby’s Inspiring Journey

In a world where faith and business are often seen as separate lanes, Kasey Yerby has proven they can intertwine beautifully, like thread through the eye of a needle, a nod to her grandmother’s sewing legacy.

Born and raised in a small Oklahoma town, just blocks from her maternal grandparents, Kasey grew up surrounded by faith, family, and the creative spirit. Her grandmother, Willie, was a gifted seamstress who could look at a garment and replicate it using nothing but newspaper and thread. “She could crochet, sew, and sell her work at craft fairs—always creating something from nothing,” Kasey recalls. “Watching her and my parents manage side hustles before that was even a word—it planted the seeds in me.”

Though Kasey studied finance and accounting at Oklahoma State University, it wasn’t a corporate dream she was chasing—it was purpose. It was there she met Jeff, a manufacturing engineering student who would later become her husband of 33 years and business partner.

Fast forward to 2012. Kasey was working as an office manager in a campus ministry—ironically, the same ministry where she and Jeff first met. As a creative outlet, she crafted faith-filled paper goods and shared them with the college girls in her ministry. “My best friend Sabrina kept encouraging me to start an Etsy shop. I finally said yes, and that’s how inAWE was born. AWE stands for Ancient Word Eternal. That’s our foundation—God’s timeless truth.”

What began as a small side business making scripture-based greeting cards evolved into inAWE Handmade—a thriving online business offering faith-based gifts, prayer tools, and keepsakes.

But it wasn’t until a Bible study changed everything.

“In 2018, I went through Beth Moore’s Quest study. It focused on intimacy with God—asking Him questions, listening, waiting,” Kasey says. “I remember praying, ‘Lord, I want to do inAWE full-time. Help me make that a reality.’” She laughs. “And then... He did.”

From that moment on, business boomed. Orders increased. “I was working full-time during the day and coming home to package orders until bedtime. I was exhausted and knew I couldn’t do both much longer.” In 2019, during the middle of tax season, she stepped out in faith and into full-time entrepreneurship.

Then came an unexpected twist—Jeff joined the business.

“My husband is a manufacturing engineer. When he started helping me with Christmas orders in 2020, he saw all the things I had just been dealing with and asked, ‘Why are you doing it like this?’ I said, ‘Because I didn’t know any better!’” His perfectionism and engineering mindset transformed their production process. “What used to take hours now takes minutes. The quality is better. Our customers love it.”

It was a leap of faith. Jeff had always been the primary breadwinner, and neither of them were risk takers. “But God gave us peace. We knew He was in it.”

Their product line now includes prayer books, children's faith journals, address and password books, and recipe binders—each one born out of Kasey’s own needs or a desire to bless others. “Our best-selling product is the God’s Promises book for children. I made it as a gift for a baby in our church. Later, I realized others might want it too.”

One grandmother messaged Kasey to share how her two-year-old grandson had memorized scripture from the book. “That’s what it’s all about,” she says, eyes glistening. “Getting God’s Word into little hearts—that’s the ministry part of this.”

Kasey sees her business as more than a store. “We’re not just selling products—we’re delivering hope. I pray over every order, asking God to bless the person receiving it.”

Though her journey has been marked by growth and success, she’s quick to emphasize the practical side. “I didn’t borrow money to build this. I reinvested profits and started small. That’s one thing I always tell women—start small and stay consistent. Patient endurance is a must.”

Kasey also credits Etsy for being the perfect launchpad. “They bring the traffic. It gave us a strong customer base before we built our own site. We’ll always stay on Etsy.”

But success didn’t come without sacrifice. “When Jeff joined inAWE full-time, I had to learn to say no to custom orders I loved doing. I had to let go of the guilt and adjust to a new reality—this wasn’t just my business anymore; it was ours.”

Running an online business gives them flexibility—and joy. “Sometimes we’ll take a midday drive with the top down because the weather’s beautiful. Then we come home and work late. We’re also helping our aging parents, so this schedule is a gift.”

Kasey works 50 hours a week—and loves it. “Because it’s my passion, it doesn’t feel like work. But I’ve had to build boundaries. I attend Bible Study Fellowship every Tuesday, go to church events, and schedule time with friends and grandbabies. If it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen.”

At the end of the day, Kasey believes faith and business not only go hand-in-hand—they thrive together when God is at the center.

“You have to create space to hear God’s voice. Whether it’s a Bible study or just 30 minutes of quiet time, make that intimacy a priority. Had I not done that, I might still be working in accounting. Now, I get to do something that’s both ministry and business. I’m in awe of what God has done—truly inAWE.”

Connect with inAWE Handmade:Website: inAWEhandmade.comShop: etsy.com/shop/inAWEhandmade

“Mistakes are often our greatest teacher. I don’t dwell on failure—I learn from it, adjust, and move forward.” – Kasey Yerby

“This isn’t just a business. It’s a ministry. And I’m still in awe of what God is doing.” – Kasey Yerby

Author: Kimberly Sutton is a devoted mother of three and a faithful partner to her husband of 34 years. Their journey has spanned over three decades of shared ministry, including roles as pastors, youth mentors, church planters, and missionaries, with transformative service in Paraguay.

Graduating from Evangel University with a BS in communications/Journalism and immersing herself in Spanish culture for a year in Costa Rica have equipped her to connect deeply with others. Her unwavering commitment to her Christian faith truly defines her purpose.