Tera Carissa Hodges is a powerhouse in women’s empowerment, transforming challenges into purpose-driven success stories. She’s an internationally known speaker, entrepreneur, author, and coach who guides women to build businesses, ministries, and ventures that honor their unique life journeys. Her impact is far-reaching, from inspiring audiences across the U.S. and South Africa to connecting with women from 17 countries at a Mercedes-Benz conference in Johannesburg. Tera’s expertise has been celebrated in Essence, Black Enterprise, and more, all recognizing her unique ability to inspire resilience, purpose, and thriving in every sense. In this interview, Tera shares her wisdom on building a legacy from life’s experiences, reminding us of our strength to create meaningful change.
W4TC: You’ve built an incredible platform empowering women worldwide through faith and purpose. What inspired you to embark on this journey of helping women transform their life experiences into purpose-driven businesses and ministries?
We have all been through something. I believe nothing we have been through should be wasted. Your profits and progress are connected to what you have been through, and what you have been through is part of your purpose.
W4TC: Your work has taken you to stages around the world, from the US to South Africa. How have the experiences of women you've met in different countries influenced your approach to empowerment?
Every nation has its own culture. To empower women in a nation, you have to understand what that culture is so you can empower them appropriately. Apostle Paul said, “I became all things to all people.” That means, without jeopardizing his core beliefs and values, he met people where they were to empower them to transform their lives.
W4TC: Faith is a core part of your message. How do you balance the spiritual aspects of your work with practical strategies to help women succeed economically and socially?
I follow the example of Jesus. Though I am imperfect, His principles are not. Jesus spoke in parables, everyday scenarios people of His day could relate to. That means He was not just spiritual but practical. If you are going to be successful, you must be the same. You can't be so spiritual that you ignore the necessities of practicality. Yet, you can't be so practical you ignore the benefits of the spiritual. Both have advantages. To be successful, strike a balance between the two by seeking God through prayer, then doing what you can in the practical (the natural) and turning what you can't do over to God (the spiritual).
W4TC: Entrepreneurship is central to your message. What are the first steps you recommend to women who want to build purpose-based businesses but don’t know where to start?
Get clear on who you are and what you are supposed to be doing. The #1 mistake I see so many entrepreneurs making is being a copycat, doing what has made someone else successful. But if your actions are not part of your purpose, you will fail, maybe not financially but mentally and emotionally, because you are operating outside of the purpose God has given you. The goal is not to be successful only in appearance but in your being. That's the real win.
W4TC: In a world full of obstacles, what is your best advice for women who are struggling to maintain faith in themselves and their purpose?
Keep going. You may have to take a detour, and that's okay. Every successful person you see has had to pivot. But the key is to keep moving, growing, developing, and evolving in some capacity. Never stop!
W4TC: Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of women’s empowerment, and how do you plan to continue expanding your impact globally?
The need for women's empowerment will never cease, so the future for those called to empower women is bright because there is plenty of work to do. I seek to empower the whole woman as described in Proverbs 31: the wife, the mother, and the businesswoman.
To learn more about Tera:
Comments