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LAPLACE — At 66 years old, Cheryl Wallace of LaPlace recently graduated from an accelerated business course offered through Joseph Business School in Chicago, Illinois.

In January 2013, Wallace answered God’s calling by publishing her book, “My House Shall be Called the House of Prayer.” The book was met with heartfelt enthusiasm from the community, as the official release and book signing drew a crowd that rivaled the big name, out-of-state authors who visited St. John the Baptist Parish libraries. Wallace started her business, Inspirational Treasures, to take the book to new heights. However, without the business know-how, Wallace found herself unable to effectively promote the book as time went on.

Early this year, a decade after the release of her book, Wallace took a leap of faith by enrolling in the Faith and the Marketplace Entrepreneurship Online Program through Joseph Business School. She started the program on February 20 and finished her final class on June 14, completing what is normally offered as a nine-month course in an accelerated four-month format.

Wallace hopes to apply the skills she’s learned to share God’s message with a broader audience, highlighting the power of prayer.

“It’s always been my dream. It really was a rebirth,” Wallace said. “It started off with a bang before so many different situations and sicknesses came in and hindered it. It slowed down to a dormant state, but the deep desire has always been in my heart. In 2022, I asked God whether he wanted me to shut this down, and he said no. Later in the year, he said he is going to teach me how to profit.”

Not long after, Wallace was alerted to an opening for a business school scholarship, and she knew it was the answer to her prayers. The coursework covered goal setting God’s way, unlocking potential through prayer and meditation, business opportunities/the power of imagination, assessing possibilities with faith, feasibility workshops and organizational skills, among other lessons. Wallace learned how to develop and create a marketing plan that delivered customer value. She sharpened her presentation skills and identified her core values and mission while gaining knowledge on customer acquisition, leadership and technology. The program also included a financial aspect, introducing Wallace to business accounting, insurance, and the steps to creating a financial plan.

Wallace enjoyed the fruits of her labor during a graduation ceremony on June 24.

“I kept looking for open doors, and God opened this door. It’s a very good program. Their support is unsurpassed,” Wallace said. “With what I’ve learned, I now have skills and knowledge to pass on. That would just bless my heart to be able to teach people who are interested in growing their business.”

Wallace’s book can be purchased from Amazon.Com or CertaPublishing.com.