Guests: Sheeba Philip

Ministry/Business: Akola

YouTube Video Interview

Many of us have a vision for what we want our career to look like. But God has a way of changing our hearts and messing with our plans to achieve His purpose for each of us. Sheeba started her career as a chemical engineer working on construction sites for Merck. God moved in her heart on more than one occasion, leaving her in what felt like the wilderness. Today, Sheeba Philip is CEO of Akola, a globally inspired jewelry brand built to champion women around the world and empower them to get out of poverty and provide for themselves and their families. 

Sheeba wrestled with integrating her faith and work early in her career. She attended Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and was asked to lead the Faith and Work initiative. As she wrestled through what it looks like to live a more integrated life with other believers, she realized the importance of leading with love at work through patience, kindness, and gentleness. But God had given Sheeba a heart to do work with a purpose from the start. After getting a business degree, she left Merck to work in brand management for Kraft, International Justice Mission, and JC Penney. When JC Penney went through another restructuring, Sheeba found herself in a real wilderness experience, trying to figure out what’s next. After two years, God led Sheeba to Akola, and suddenly all of her varied experiences connected and made sense. Akola means “she works.” God didn’t waste any of her experiences but brought her through them “for such a time as this” to make a difference for women in Africa.

Our careers can be a great adventure with God, and Sheeba’s career is a great example. Sheeba has learned, and we can learn from her story, that God is faithful and He can be trusted. We can take bold steps of faith as we sense God’s guidance.

Resources from today’s show:

Hear from Sheeba at the Boldly Conference, a faith + work conference by women for women happening on Friday, October 21st, 2022, live in Dallas or by livestream anywhere!  

Be sure to pick up some beautiful jewelry with a mission from Akola.co!

Encouraged or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!