Today we’d like to introduce you to David Lafata.
Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins when I was three and my parents got divorced. My Dad was hardly in my life, and not at all after (I was seven) he slapped me and my tooth flew out of my mouth. That day when my mom picked me up I told her I never wanted to see him again, but the truth was I always missed him. In school, I had problems with dyslexia, anxiety and depression. My mom was sick with Lupus and we moved a lot.
At twenty-three, I came to Jesus. It was a life-changing experience, like I had been awakened. Not long after in my walk with Christ I had the idea for a Christian clothing company, but didn’t act on it.
Years later, I decided to put my talent to use and became an artist. But after a couple of years, I wasn’t making any money and was getting desperate, so I started thinking about designing and selling Christian t-shirts.
At the same time, I was diagnosed with melanoma. After surgery and I was cancer-free. I felt like God was saying to me; I brought you through this, now have faith follow your dream and help people how I helped you. So mid-2021, my wife and I decided to start justbelieve21. A Christian clothing & lifestyle company.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my greatest challenges is overcoming clinical depression. I’ve found that truth, love and faith are key to winning the day-to-day battle. Professionally speaking, starting a new business, it can be a challenge to get the capital needed to reach and be a change maker in the community. As well as have the time and resources to research new innovative ways, to make a tangible difference in the everyday lives of real people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We strive to be a responsible and ethical, community oriented company. We stand for racial justice and human equality. We also print on demand which is beneficial for the environment. And we look forward to improving in these areas every chance we get. But we believe our most important attribute is that we are faith based and desire for all to know the love of God.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We began this journey with nothing but love, faith, Jesus and a vision from God. Now our message is beginning to resonate, and we hope to help as many people as possible. We believe in God and we believe that with love and compassion we can together make this world a better place for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Email: a1dazealot@gmail.com
- Website: justbelieve21.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbelieve21_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsdon/
