Today we’d like to introduce you to Tunai Anderson.
Tunai, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. I grew up in a loving Christian home with a solid spiritual foundation. As a young girl, I always enjoyed creating things, like Art was one of my favorite subjects in school. If I had to describe myself as a young girl, it would be quiet, creative, and caring. I always knew deep down inside I was different. I had a lot of friends and got along with everybody but I disliked drama. When I was around drama although everyone seemed to gravitate towards the drama, I never liked the way it made me feel inside. My cousin calls me the “peacemaker” lol. I also remember in Elementary school walking home from the bus stop with my little sister, I sensed we were being followed and I grabbed my sister’s hand detoured and ran into a nearby store to call my mom! This level of discernment was placed inside me early on in my life…like who at that young age would be in tune with something like that?
I accepted Christ and was baptized at a very young age however I lived a typical curious teenage life to say the least.
Growing up my father was physically present in the home but was emotionally unavailable due to his own personal hurts. My father’s mother died unexpectedly right before I was born. As a result of this unexpected death, my father was hurt, did not know how to cope with this tragic loss and turned to drugs. My father was addicted to drugs majority of my childhood and although his life has been restored (praise God!), this was an area of my life God had to show me so I could deal with it in order to heal from it. This hurt of not having my father there for me the way in which I needed him to be left me unknowingly searching for affection, attention and love outside of myself. The multi-dating, clubbing and “players mentality” eventually got old and with that still left me feeling empty inside. Although I had Christ living on the inside of me, I was living a religious lifestyle.
After I got married in 2010, I just knew these feelings of emptiness would go away; well I was wrong. I struggled with these feelings for sometime early in my marriage and would cry on my bedside confused because on the outside it looked as if I had it all together yet on the inside was this broken little girl who carried a void inside. This was a lonely and confusing time in my life because I knew God and I believed he had a plan for my life yet I battled with feelings of emptiness even though I was married, had a decent job, many friends, and material things. In these early years of my marriage, I created a lot of different things; I started a tutoring service, made jewelry, sold tee shirts and even became an Herbalife distributor! I was creating things however none of them were sustainable. I mean, I gained a little profit here and there and truly wanted to help people with the things I created. Initially, I never really wondered why they weren’t sustainable, but looking back and reflecting, I come to know that all along it was me creating and not God creating and birthing through me- don’t get me wrong these were all intentional creations however the bible says in Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” there’s also another verse that comes to mind as we speak that says “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but only the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21)
So let’s go back while struggling through these feelings of confusion and emptiness early in my marriage, I would journal, I would write my feelings out and would even write letters to God. A few years after I got married my husband and I left the Baptist church I grew up in and began looking for a church home. Eventually, we found a true bible teaching church, Love and Unity Christian Fellowship, where we rededicated our lives to God and hung up our religious lifestyle and pursued personal relationship with God. I slowly began to see my life transform and finally began to feel complete. Because I knew I was different from an early age, I came to understand that I was born different to stand out and not fit in.
After purchasing our home in 2016 with my husband and our two small children, my husband was led to go back to school full time. I desired to be supportive and understanding yet without complaining and nagging but if I am honest and transparent, I was often frustrated and overwhelmed. I was beginning to feel these old feelings arise within and was starting to feel resentful because I was noticing the desire I had to spend time with God was frequently getting pushed aside, as I now had a lot more on my plate as a wife, mother, and working full time. I noticed my desire to get back to what helped me heal in the past; journaling. I picked this back up and began blogging. I created a free Wix website and used that space to write my feelings just like I did in the past. I didn’t publish it just yet, it was simply an outlet!
Because I knew these feelings that were slowly starting to creep back into me were not of God, I would ask God on the inside of myself to “help me with these feelings and to show me how to manage and juggle all I had on my plate without neglecting him”. Weeks or maybe even months after me asking God this, the Holy Spirit instructed me to clean out one of the closets in my house, create a prayer closet and spend time in there with him. God began to reveal himself to me on a more personal and intimate level and he also began to unfold the layers of my life by showing me so vividly why I was the way I was and where the void stemmed from. I now was able to connect the dots of my past that continue to push me deeper into my purpose, repent and I allowed his love- his unconditional love to fill the empty space HE longed for all along. I was looking to fill that void with “things” hence creating things to fill fulfilled but it was God was replaced that void!
I started simple, I began to make sure I used my social media as a light. I began posting scriptures, inspirational, and uplifting posts on Facebook and Instagram. I began to use this platform to share testimonies and show what God was doing in my life.
In 2017, I heard the voice of God inside of me telling me it was now time for me to share with others how he was transforming my life and with this, I no longer wanted people to see me from the outside but was ready to be transparent and tell others how God was transforming and healing me internally so I decided to obey God’s direction and launch my website/blog, TuNai’s Closet. I was nervous and often thought ” who is going to read my little ol’ stuff?” But in obedience, I launched it anyway!
Early in 2019, I took this Masterclass called the Dream Divers Master Class with the Chief Dream Diver, Ira Davis where I received the tools I needed to effectively turn the dreams God has given me and the gifts he placed inside of me into a profitable business. Never did I know that my story would become my personal ministry moreover could bring fourth all of what God is showing and birthing out of me. It is now my desire to share with others just how I began my journey so in turn others be healed, grow closer to God and share their stories with others! We all have a past, we all have been hurt, we all have wounds BUT GOD IS THE PLUG! I now know I am here to connect people to the source, God!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In short, no! I do not come from a family of entrepreneurs so the road to business has not been easy! I am still learning so much along this journey; the business aspects of it all. I think one of the most challenging things for me was because it’s ministry, not realizing that there could be an actual business side to my ministry. I never thought outside of the box all I wanted to do was help and share with others, share with others and help! I have to be careful with this because I can spread myself too thin if I do not have systems in place to schedule out my time. I have to remember my personal triggers and that is those feelings of being overwhelmed!
Trial and error has been the road- testing out distributors playing around with building my own website, enrolling in Master Classes, downloading E-Books and “How to Guides” have been my saving grace! Social Media has been a huge help! I love seeing how people use it to their advantage and because they do, I am learning so much about business, promoting, marketing and strategy.
I am learning balance, and how to connect my ministry with my business never losing sight of the ministry that drives the business, this is a major key (wink)!
TuNai’s Closet – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
TuNai’s Closet is my personal ministry and business. My business offers candles and prayer closet essentials.
TuNai’s Closet’s best seller and signature candle “Calm Serenity” is made with 100% pure coconux wax, cotton wick and is a mix of pure coconut oil and vanilla.
All of our candles comes with a prayer card and bookmark. Everything TuNai’s Closet offers strives to serve as an inspiration for others to create their own Prayer Closets.
My ministry and business is founded on the scripture Matthew 6:6 “but when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy father which is in secret; and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly”.
My candle line was created to shine the light on Christ who lives within my heart and to encourage others to spend time with God daily so that they would come to know Christ and their purpose in life.
I specialize in creating “Prayer Closet Starter Kits” candles, prayer closet door tags and bookmarks. This offering is a unique way to inspire others to tangibly set aside a space for God too and spend time with him in prayer.
My business is growing! I am adding special edition tee-shirts to my online store and am growing my ministry by continuing to sharing my story and offering weekly prayer calls.
It’s not just the candle or the bookmark- it’s the purpose behind it!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am most proud to be making a difference in the world by shining the light on Christ who lives within my heart and inspiring those I come in contact with each day. I feel most fulfilled when I share my story with others unapologetically!
Being obedient has been so rewarding! I am so inspired to see how my candle line serves as an inspiration to others to create their own sacred prayer space. I am excited to see my repeat and monthly customers gift TuNai’s Closet’s prayer candles to others around the world!
As I see my business grow, I see how I am being connected with people who share my faith and add value to the business side of my ministry!
Pricing:
- TuNai’s Closet “Calm Serenity” 8oz Coconut Wax Candle – $28
- TuNai’s Closet Prayer Bundle – Prayer Candle + Door Tag – $30
- TuNai’s Closet Purpose Tin Candle $12
- Prayer Closet Door Tag 5$
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tunaiscloset.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @tunaiscloset
Image Credit:
Niketa Calame – Harris @niketacalameharrisphotography, Latoya Hill @outofhidingapparel
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