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Meet Elaine
Hey there friend!
I’m so stinkin’ happy you’re here! There’s nothing I like more than meeting another world changer!
Oh, don’t give me that look! Yes, I said World Changer. Just calling it like I see it. We both know you’ve been led here by that still, small voice that tells you it’s your time!
It’s your time to step forward and answer God’s call on your life. Hey, tell me, what does that look like for you? Is it a business, a ministry, or a nonprofit? What are you passionate about? Who do you want to serve? I want to hear all about it!
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed just thinking about it? Maybe a little anxious? Wondering how in the world you are going to pull it off, but you just know you have got to do it? Sounds like you’re in the right place because God-sized dreams are my specialty!
I remember when God first showed me glimpses of the vision He had for this ministry. It wasn’t my finest hour. I had just been through some of the most traumatic events in my life –a career implosion, the death of a loved one, and my husband had been told he had cancer. All that within about an eighteen-month period. To say I was a little devastated is an understatement. I mean the struggle was REAL!
And then, in the middle of my chaos, God begin to piece together for me a calling I wasn’t expecting. Can you relate? I bet you have some stories to tell!
In those early months, I felt so unqualified, so isolated, and so alone. Quite frankly, I was pretty sure God had me mixed up with someone else. A world changer? Who me?
But I have learned that God never makes a mistake and that He uses all of our experiences –good and bad–as a launching pad for something quite beautiful.
The fact is God’s in the people business, and He calls those of us who are willing to be servant leaders to do great things. Did you know you are a leader? Yep, that’s you. What kind of a leader are you?
Me –I am a nurturer! I believe in building others up and encouraging them. If we were together right now, I’d hug you! And at the end of the day, I want probably what you want –to make a difference in this world. To know I touched someone else’s heart and changed their life for the better.
But what I’ve also learned along the way is that a dream not acted upon is just a dream. I have met so many beautiful women who have a dream and they are holding back on going for it because it seems so BIG to them. But we serve a BIG God, and He doesn’t assign us small, DIY dreams. Nope, He assigns us God-sized dreams. So, my mission (and my passion) is to motivate you that you can do that thing God has called you to do.
Repeat after me: “I AM A WORLD CHANGER!”
Now, I wish I could tell you that God just opened up the sky and dropped down everything I needed right then and there and that I got busy, but I can’t. That’s not how it works. When things didn’t come easy, I did what most people do (and what I don’t want you to do), I started second guessing myself …that is until I met my first coach!
Coaching provided the framework I needed to start organizing my thoughts and set realistic goals. When I say in the beginning that my thoughts and plans were all over the place, I mean they were a mess! I needed help focusing on the specific vision God had given me. Through coaching, I was able to clearly identify who it was God was asking me to help, develop a reasonable action plan that didn’t overwhelm me, get motivated to implement the steps I needed to take, and learn how to celebrate my wins!
That’s what I want for you! Focus, clarity, achievable goals, and meaningful steps forward.
Now, I have had several coaches over the years, and each helped me in different ways. Those experiences were invaluable. But here’s the kicker, I still felt somewhat isolated, alone, frustrated, and downright exhausted trying to do all the things. I often felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. I didn’t have that ONE coach who totally got me or my God-sized dream.
I needed some guidance from someone who was experienced in marketplace ministry, a sounding board that could identify with me as a faith-based, female entrepreneur, and I needed a whole lot of confidence.
Why? Because marketplace ministry, when one launches a faith-based business, ministry, or nonprofit, is still pretty new and support for faith-based female entrepreneurs is lacking. Though the number of female entrepreneurs is rising, the number of faith-based female mentors and coaches still lags behind.
But then there was another problem. I struggled to find a group of like-minded, spirit-filled females who were secure in their calling and didn’t mind validating, encouraging, and supporting another like-minded, spirit-filled female in hers. When building a God-sized dream, community is everything. And I grew tired of the competition, comparison, and downright apathy of it all. And I decided enough! …and She Steps Forward Ministries (now She Steps Forward Coaching) was born.
Friend, you don’t have to look any further. Here at She Steps Forward Coaching, I bring all of my experiences to the table. I am pretty much an open book! I take the time to hear YOUR vision, work one-on-one with you to develop an actionable plan that saves YOU time and money, and provide you resources that are specific to YOUR needs.
And as a bonus, I’ve built a network of women who would love nothing more than to empower, support, and cheer you on!
Here at She Steps Forward, we don’t compete or play the comparison game. YOUR success is OUR success. In other words, you’ll be surrounded by a sisterhood that wants to help you accomplish all that God has entrusted to you. I will personally see to it.
Kingdom building, especially in the marketplace, is HARD work, but trust me when I say, someone is waiting for you to STEP FORWARD. We need you! The world needs you!
So, pull up a chair world changer, grab a hot cup of coffee, get ready to dive deep, and let’s get started!
Your God-given Destiny Awaits! Elaine
Elaine Lankford
Chief Empowerment Officer
She Steps Forward Coaching
- info@shestepsfowardcoaching.com
- + 1 757-809-1620
Elaine's Bio
Elaine is a passionate advocate for Christian female entrepreneurs, dedicated to helping them launch and grow successful businesses, ministries, and nonprofits. As the founder of She Steps Forward Coaching and She Steps Forward International, she empowers women to step confidently into their God-sized dreams.
Through She Steps Forward Coaching, Elaine offers targeted strategic planning and individualized support to aspiring female entrepreneurs. As a certified John Maxwell Team member, she brings expertise in speaking, writing, leadership development, and entrepreneurial coaching to her faith-based approach.
Expanding her vision globally, Elaine established She Steps Forward International (SSFI), a nonprofit organization that equips both American and African women to lead impactful ventures. SSFI’s flagship event, the She Steps Forward International Women’s Conference, unites like-minded female entrepreneurs annually – each March in the United States and May in Africa – fostering a global community of inspiration and shared wisdom.
SSFI’s commitment to nurturing new talent is evident in its Seed Money Grant program, which supports rising Christian female entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Africa. The organization also extends its reach by engaging in humanitarian work in Nairobi, Kenya.
Leadership development has been woven throughout Elaine’s personal and professional life. Prior to her current work, Elaine has held many leadership roles both within the church and in her professional life.
Elaine’s diverse background includes over 16 years in clinical nursing, where she held various leadership roles, including Pain Management Coordinator and nurse practitioner. She later transitioned to advisory roles in medical record documentation, coding, and auditing, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to excellence in healthcare.
Within the local church environment, she served for years as a small group leader, co-organized and co-lead missions trip, and ministered on a prayer team.
In 2023, Elaine obtained her Master of Arts in Theology degree from Jakes Divinity School (JDS) in partnership with Vanguard University. She also completed a Women in Leadership certificate program through JDS and received a 2022-2023 Outstanding Student Award. Toward the end of her studies, she was thrilled to be chosen to present at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. She plans to continue her studies at JDS in the near future and aspires to complete a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree focused on Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora.
She self-published her first book, Love Echoed Back, in 2014 and plans to return to writing in the future. Her leadership articles have appeared in the Suffolk News Herald and Inside Business. She has been featured on several podcast shows including HER Talk Show, Love & Beloved, The Ella Ray Show, Be Inspired God’s Way, and Women Awakening.
A Virginia native, Elaine has been married to her husband, Darrell, for over 31 years. They have one son, Nicholas, and a beloved beagle named Apollo.
By leveraging her faith, gifts, and experience, Elaine is fostering a new generation of Christian female leaders ready to make a positive impact in the marketplace and their communities.
Your Success is My Success! ~ Elaine
References
What others say about she Steps Forward coaching
Elaine played two important roles in advancing READI Real Estate as a business. First, she developed a personal development track for our real estate agents. It was crucial to me that our agents not only understand the paperwork and processes of real estate but also receive personal development and coaching. Elaine created six outstanding lessons that our real estate agents now complete during their onboarding process.
Additionally, Elaine assisted us with our website. She built an entirely new WordPress site for us that now houses our entire platform, including all our classes and programs for both real estate agents and clients alike. Her contributions have been invaluable to our growth and success. Thank you, Elaine!
Michele Bryant
READI Real Estate, Virginia
Before meeting Elaine, I had a God-given dream to start The Storehouse Ministry, but I didn't know how to proceed or what resources were available to me. That's when I realized I needed a mentor. After connecting with Elaine, she helped me see things clearly, from identifying available resources to envisioning possibilities beyond what I had imagined. Because of Elaine, I now view my business and ministry in a completely different light.
I am deeply thankful to Elaine because now I have my ministry name, logo, mission statement, and so much more. Elaine, I am truly grateful for you. Thank you for following your anointing and the will of God.
Caroline Roopchand
The Storehouse Ministry, Texas
If it weren't for Elaine, the Moses Basket Initiative wouldn't exist today. I've worked with Elaine since 2020 when I first met her at the lowest point of my career and life. I had given up on everything, feeling exhausted and frustrated. Then Elaine came into my life, and everything began to change.
We embarked on a journey of mentorship, facing my reality head-on. She encouraged me, prayed for me, and gave me so much hope. Elaine is an exceptional mentor, a good person, and someone who truly walks alongside you on your journey.
Don't hesitate to enroll in her program or to have her as your mentor - you'll be in the right hands! Thanks to her guidance, I now have an office, a shelter for the girls I work with, and a network of supportive people. God bless you, Elaine.
Phyllis Thiong'o
Moses Basket Initiative, Kenya
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