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A Conversation with Cali Black

May 16, 2025 By LDSPMA Leave a Comment

Cali Black is an author, podcaster, speaker, and content creator who loves the scriptures. She received her bachelor’s degree in education at Brigham Young University in 2019. She started an Instagram account called Come Follow Me Study and has consistently shared spiritual thoughts, study resources, and helpful videos ever since, growing to over a hundred thousand followers. She co-hosts the popular podcast “One Minute Scripture Study” and has co-written four Amazon bestselling books—One Minute Scripture Study for each of the standard works.

In her interview with LDSPMA podcast host Connie Sokol, Cali credited her parents with her love of the scriptures. “Both of my parents have always been avid scripture readers. They always are in their scriptures. I think my dad’s a genius in gospel topics. He taught our early morning seminary class in California, and I got to learn even more from him. I wanted to be the person who knew the scriptures and could talk about them confidently.”

She decided to increase her understanding of the scriptures by serving a full-time mission. Both her parents had served, so she felt that was her natural path and was excited to go. But she got married instead.

Rather than waiting for a future mission call, Cali began studying the scriptures from that point on. “I’m gonna figure out how to understand the scriptures and love them and feel confident in them and be able to teach them without having the mission to jumpstart me in that area,” she said.

Connie said that the desire to understand the scriptures is key to unlocking their mysteries. Cali’s approach to understanding the scriptures is to link them to personal experiences with a story.

“I’ve trained my brain to have a story view. There are moments where my kids will say something and I’m like, well, there’s a post right there. That [experience] perfectly explained that gospel principle. I have those moments all the time, and I have a note on my phone . . . where I write down a quick summary of what happened, whether it’s in the moment . . . reflecting at the end of the day.

“I truly believe that when we stop and we reflect, that allows the Spirit to bring things to our remembrance.”

Connie asked Cali what led her to her current path.

“I taught for four years and had my daughter, and I wanted to keep teaching. This truly was a passion of mine. [But] I had the strongest feeling to quit my job. I didn’t want to quit my job. I could do this. I [could] be a mom. I [could] be a full-time teacher. [But] I could not escape that prompting. I had to do a lot of internal work . . . and to be okay with other people’s judgment of what I was doing.

“I was a great teacher and I loved what I did, and I loved being able to help kids and change their lives and make an impact. It was really hard for me to just be like, I’ve got to follow this prompting. If I love God above all else, I’ve gotta put my ego away. I’ve gotta listen to what He is telling me to do, and I’ve gotta trust. It was scary, but I did it.

“And then the Come, Follow Me program started.

“I was serving in Young Women at the time, and I [thought] I should send them an Instagram account [about Come, Follow Me] that they all can follow. The only accounts that came up were like family activities to teach your little kids, but that’s not what my Young Women needed.

“Immediately, the thought came to my mind, ‘You should start the account, fill the space, fill the need that you see.’

“It was terrifying. I was like, not me. But one of the scriptures I had been studying that week then came to my mind. It was Doctrine and Covenants section 58 verses 22 through 24, where it talks about how it is not meet that [the Lord]should command in all things, but be engaged in a good cause, and do many things of your own free will and bring to pass much righteousness.

“I felt like the Lord was saying, ‘Cali, I’m not telling you that you need to start this account. I’m telling you that you get to choose if you want to use your good influence to start a Come, Follow Me study account.’ And I said, ‘I’m gonna use my agency, and I’m gonna do it.’”

Cali says it started small, but then it snowballed. When COVID hit, people searched for online Come, Follow Me resources like never before. Cali feels that Come, Follow Me was inspired for situations like COVID where church members are unable to meet in person.

“During those first few months of COVID when everything just felt so big and scary and unknown, I really just dug into [the question], how can I use my words? We were studying the Book of Mormon that year. It was so good to share peace and to share joy because I have found over and over again that’s the real blessing of the gospel, right?”

During the pandemic, Cali began hosting a podcast and writing books about the scriptures with her friend Kristen Walker Smith. “I feel like a lot of our strengths are aligned,” Cali says about their partnership. “But then we also have our own unique voices behind that. We have our own ways of sharing our own perspectives.” Cali believes that she’s able to accomplish more working with Kristen.

Connie then asked Cali to share her thoughts about some of the obstacles she has faced while teaching about Come, Follow Me.

“Biggest thing, hands down, is I see people misunderstanding what Come, Follow Me is supposed to be,” Cali says. “It’s not meant to replace all the good things we’re already doing. It’s meant to keep the whole Church on the same reading schedule. That’s so much fun. It doesn’t have to be every day. It could be individually or with your family . . . or it could be once a week, or it could look like so many different things.

“. . . I think people feel so much guilt and constraint over what Come, Follow Me should be, and instead, I love sharing this message of do what you want, do good things . . . [Do] Come, Follow Me whenever you’re able to, and connect with God, access personal revelation, whatever that looks like to you.”

In conclusion, Connie asked how things have changed for Cali since she began teaching the gospel on social media.

“I’ve developed my personal professional strengths. I love teaching, and so speaking and storytelling has become a huge passion of mine, and I feel like I’ve been able to practice that thousands and thousands of times. I absolutely love it. I’ve loved writing and being able to figure out how to take [a] spiritual prompting [I’ve received] and turn that into a good social media post is such a creative challenge for me. I absolutely love that challenge of trying to get what’s in my brain into other people’s brains through my words . . . I love what I’m doing right now, and I feel so content with it. And then I also look to the future and just think, man, I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store. Whatever that path looks like, I’m super excited . . . My desires can align with the Lord’s desires for my life.”

This article is based on the Called to Create podcast featured during Season 3, Episode 1o. You can listen to the full podcast here.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Online Business

November 29, 2024 By Kami Pehrson Leave a Comment

Megan LaFrance’s journey into entrepreneurship started during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was home with her three young sons and facing a never-ending cycle of messes. She found that the towels she was using were ineffective at absorbing spills and cleaning sticky surfaces. On top of that, their boring, one-sided designs left much to be desired. These insights sparked the idea for Bloom Towels, a line of efficient microfiber dishcloths with vibrant patterns printed on both sides. Through research, hard work, and determination, Megan has grown her passion into a thriving business that supports her family and employs other moms of young children.

Here are the steps Megan recommends to start your own online business.

Step 1: Choose Your Product

To start, Megan had to think of a problem that needed to be solved. She first tried selling tiered trays and wall decals, but she wasn’t passionate about the products. Dish towels proved to be a perfect fit, as they are lightweight, easy to ship, always in demand, and they solve an everyday need.

Step 2: Research Suppliers and Order Samples

After brainstorming an idea, Megan had to source her supplies. She ordered towel samples from various suppliers and tested them at home to compare quality and functionality. She prefers to buy through Alibaba— a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform that keeps prices low by requiring a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). The MOQ is usually higher for custom designs and lower for items they already have in stock.

Step 3: Design and Brand Your Product

Megan, along with her mom and sister, comprise the design team that shapes the aesthetic of Bloom Towels. They brainstorm pattern ideas based on seasonal themes and customer feedback, drawing inspiration from places like Pinterest and other image sites. Together, they develop cohesive design themes like bright pinks for Valentine’s Day or neutral tones for autumn, creating three to five trendy towel designs for each launch.

Step 4: Start Small and Test the Market

Megan recommends starting small when launching an online business. Instead of committing to a large inventory, focus on a limited selection of products. Test the market and assess customer interest without overextending your finances. Selling out of your products can benefit your business, as “out-of-stock” products create a sense of urgency and exclusivity among your customers. As demand for your product grows, you can gradually increase your orders. If the product you are trying to sell isn’t successful, you can pivot to something else. However, Megan cautions against switching products too often. “I’ve seen many businesses jump from one product to another, leading them deeper into debt without becoming successful,” she says. “Make sure to sell your initial batch of products before moving on to the next.”

Step 5: Build Your Online Presence

Megan uses Instagram and her website as her primary marketing channels. She has also expanded to Facebook and TikTok, but she advises focusing mainly on one platform to avoid spreading yourself too thin. She says, “Put up a lot of videos and pictures on whatever social media platform you’re using because when you reach out to influencers, that’s the first place they go. If you have no images or videos to show them, they won’t want to represent your brand because they can’t see what you’re selling.” She sends samples of her towels to a professional photographer who takes “flat lay” photos for the product catalog. Her sister oversees content on her social media sites, including stop-motion animation, lifestyle videos, and slow-motion clips of people using the towels.

Step 6: Use Influencer Marketing to Grow Your Audience

Influencer marketing played a significant role in growing Bloom Towels. Megan markets to influencers in the cleaning and home organization niches who resonate with her target audience. She uses an outreach strategy to get influencers to notice her messages by commenting on their posts before sending direct messages to ensure her message goes to their main inboxes. She explains, “I’ll leave a message that says, ‘Hey! We have these cute towels, and we’d love for you to try some. Let us know if you’d like more details.’” She then offers influencers affiliate marketing opportunities, allowing them to earn a commission from sales generated through their posts.

Step 7: Create a Reliable System for Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing systems help business owners facilitate partnerships with influencers who promote their products. Megan uses UpPromote to streamline her affiliate program and organize her sales data. The software tracks sales, assigns discount codes, and calculates commissions. She says, “When an influencer signs up to be an affiliate, the software will assign them a coupon code that gives their followers a 15% off discount. The system will track sales for us so when we pay our influencers, we know exactly how much we owe them.”

Megan likes to reach out to influencers a couple of weeks before her launch days to get them on board. Influencers will share sneak peeks of the product leading up to the big launch party when the towels become available, including their unique affiliate link.

Step 8: Engage with Your Customers

Megan listens to customer requests and suggestions to guide her designs. She uses her email list and social media to engage with customers, build customer loyalty, and decide on new products and themes.

Step 9: Invest in Coaching and a Support Network

Megan credits much of her success to using a business coach and following their process. She explains, “I used the program ‘0 to 100K’ from Alison Prince. She was also a mom who started a business selling online and then taught others how to do it too.”

As her business grew, Megan sought out different coaches who specialized in areas she wanted to improve, such as wholesaling to retail stores. Networking with other business owners also provided her with valuable advice and support that helped her when her business reached a plateau in sales. She shares, “When I started my business, it helped to have a group of other business owners I could talk to all the time who were on the same level as me because we could grow together.”

Step 10: Adapt and Evolve Your Strategy

Over time, Megan expanded her product line, tried out new opportunities, and fine-tuned her influencer marketing strategy. She also started selling her towels on Faire, a wholesale platform where retailers can buy products to sell in their stores. By earning a “Top Shop” ranking, Bloom Towels got a huge boost in visibility. Then a team of sales reps reached out, wanting to represent her products. Today, customers can find Bloom Towels in 180 brick-and-mortar stores.

Step 11: Celebrate Your Progress

Megan enjoys running a business that allows her to support her family financially, explore her creative side, and give other moms the opportunity to earn extra income. She says, “Starting out slow has been a gift. It took me five years to get to where I am now, and I’m growing steadily and doing well, which is exactly what I want. I don’t want it to be overwhelming for anyone. Don’t measure your success against others—just focus on yourself. If your business is growing even just a little bit each month, you’re doing great.”

Kami Pehrson

Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.

Using YouTube and Social Media to Inspire and Help Others Grow Spiritually

May 5, 2023 By LDSPMA 2 Comments

The social media community can be overwhelming, negative, suffocating, and even toxic, but it doesn’t always have to be this way. If we remember we are all children of God with the light of Christ in our souls, social media can become a connecting, encouraging, and uplifting place.

Almost every person I know is somehow involved in this online world. Some people thrive on posting about their lives while others are bystanders who just like to consume content. When I decided I wanted to build my own space on YouTube, I had two goals in mind:

Inspire people to start living life to the fullest.
Share my testimony with the world.

That is how Never Ends Now, my YouTube channel, was created.

My husband and I were driving from Utah County to our home in St. George. This drive was very familiar to us, and we often used the time to talk about how we wanted our channel to go. I told him how I wanted to take the fear out of living and persuade people to find the good in their current situations. I wanted us to be unique and adventurous and take full advantage of our time on earth. That’s when my husband suggested that we do things we have never done and call the channel Never Ends Now. I fell in love with the concept, and now, that is what we do weekly!

YouTube started out as a fun way to document our growing family, but when our channel took off, we decided to make a career out of creating and publishing videos of our experiences. Our platform consists of us starting a family, traveling the world, and everything in between. Our biggest hope is that others will go out and try things they’ve never done and appreciate the joy in life.

Staying Grounded

The more engagement you receive, the more profit you make, and so it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers when you’re relying on your social media income. I often find myself consumed by questions like, “How many views did I get?”, “Why didn’t people like this post as much as the other one?”, or “What’s trending, and how can I follow along?” Remembering my two goals keeps me grounded when I find myself wandering down those paths. As long as I’ve inspired people and shared my testimony in every video, I’ve learned to be satisfied with whatever the resulting numbers may be.

Shining Authentic Light

I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person, so I tend to get carried away sometimes. In the beginning, I would try extremely hard to bring up God or a principle of the gospel in any way that I could. I wanted to make sure I shared my testimony with the world. My pure intention was there, but honestly, it didn’t feel authentic. I felt like a child being told what to say in a fast and testimony meeting. I came to realize that I don’t necessarily have to speak my testimony for others to hear, but I can show my testimony where others will see. I stopped trying to force it and just shared my beliefs through the way I lived. This understanding brought me joy and creativity instead of pressure.

Showing Your Testimony

When my daughter was born, I remember editing the video and feeling so anxious about posting it to the world. Her birth was one of my most sacred experiences, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to share something so personal. I didn’t want to pollute it by letting the world have access. After praying about my decision, I decided to move forward and upload it. It became one of our highest-viewed videos. I received comments and messages from complete strangers about how much the video impacted them. I realized that the Spirit was able to testify to everyone watching without me even opening my mouth. I believe in eternal families. I believe that bringing life into this world is a sacred thing. I believe that the veil is open, and heaven is so close when a child is born. None of my beliefs were spoken aloud, yet the Spirit was able to touch people’s hearts about these truths.

You don’t need a formal testimony to be a light on social media. God magnifies efforts and the Spirit always testifies of truth in any form. Living a life patterned after the Savior’s example is testament enough for the world to notice.

Aspen Bailey

Aspen Bailey and her husband, Drake, are popular YouTube creators documenting their lives as Latter-Day Saints, parents of their daughter, Rainee, and having new adventures. You can see their channel here.

Member Spotlight: Dr. Trina Boice!

April 3, 2021 By Trina Boice 2 Comments

Our Member Spotlight this week is Dr. Trina Boice from Las Vegas, Nevada.

What inspired you to become a writer and creative in media?

I love learning and then sharing what I’ve learned with others. As a little girl, I always knew that I’d be a writer, although I didn’t know exactly what I’d be writing about! I started collecting inspiring quotes and ideas when I was only seven years old. I kept them in a little box, which grew into a dozen filing cabinets full of content. Thank goodness we can scan documents into our computer now! That little box has turned into 31 best-selling books and even a daily podcast where I feature inspiring quotes! I’ve always loved clever wordplay, foreign languages, and different ways of communicating. Would you believe I actually liked diagramming sentences in middle school? My kids think I’m such a nerd. They’re right.

Tell us about your work!

My life is definitely a work in progress! I teach online for Brigham Young University and create online courses at LifelongLearningEducation.com. I’m a movie critic at MovieReviewMom.com and was named the California Young Mother of the Year in 2004, an award that completely amuses my four sons. I’m an author coach at FromBook2Business.com and love helping writers increase their income and impact through their words.

A few years ago, I taught classes at the famous Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College and have the weight gain to prove it. Prior to that, I worked as a Legislative Assistant for a Congressman in Washington, D.C., and was given the “Points of Light” Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my domestic and international community service. I was selected by KPBS in San Diego to be a political correspondent for a time. Needless to say, I love variety! If I told you what I really did, I’d have to kill you.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

I love to learn and I’m inspired by the world around me. My desk overlooks my backyard where I can see beautiful flowers and watch the birds play. Music definitely puts me in the writing zone.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

I like a clean workspace, although I also surround myself with things that make me smile. On my desk, I have four computer monitors, because I’m always working on various documents and watching a movie to review simultaneously.

Also on my desk are some cute little souvenirs from countries around the world where I have traveled. I absolutely love to travel and am usually busy planning my next trip. Additionally, I have a little statue on my desk of Groot, from the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, simply because he makes me smile. Next to Groot is a sign with my name engraved on it in Mandarin from a speech I gave in China in front of 500 people. (I have a big desk!)

I also love to smell good things, so I have a pretty diffuser for essential oils wafting around my desk while I create. In addition, I have an inspirational quote and the scriptures to remind me what’s most important in my life. And finally, I have a picture of my awesome family on my desk. If I can plop down at my computer with a good snack, good music, and occasional YouTube videos of funny animals, I’m happy and creative!

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The book I’m probably the proudest of is one that won’t ever earn a single cent: my doctoral degree dissertation! It took me over three years to write, but you won’t find it in bookstores anywhere. It’s currently only available in academic libraries. Nerd alert!

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative work?

I interviewed actor/songwriter/storyteller Marvin Payne. He simply and wisely said, “It’s not about you. Serve your audience.” So true.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

Just do it! The world needs your talents. If you truly believe in your project, don’t give up. Writing a book and getting a book published can be hard work, but persistence in this industry definitely pays off. Get a platform. Publishers want writers who aren’t a “one-trick pony,” but who have a platform, an established fan base, and who can create multiple products. Write about what you’re passionate about.

What are the books/products you’ve created?

Books:

Family home evening and Sunday Lessons For Kids: Topics From A to Z
Base Hits and Home Run Relationships: What Women Wish Guys Knew
The Ultimate Mystery Shopping Guide: How To Get Paid To Eat, Shop, & Play
Baby Announcement Ideas and Gender Reveals: 200 Creative Ways to Share Your Great News
How To Crush the Teenage Years Like A Boss: Life Hacks for Latter-day Saint Youth

…as well as 26 other titles available on Amazon and elsewhere.

Podcast: “Daily Inspirational Quote With Trina Boice”

Online Courses at Lifelong Learning Education:

Morning Ritual Magic
Managing Stress, Anxiety, & Depression
The Ultimate Guide to Mystery Shopping
Emergency Preparedness for Peace of Mind
Nutrition for Vibrant Health

…and 5 more, with other courses coming soon!

Movie Reviews:

Written reviews at MovieReviewMom.com

Video reviews on Youtube under the handle Movie Review Mom

Author Coach: From Book 2 Business

Where can we find you on social media?

Twitter: @TrinaBoice

Instagram: @TrinaBoice

Pinterest: @TrinaBoice

Facebook: Movie Review Mom (Facebook group)

Fans of Author Trina Boice (page)

Lifelong Learning Education (Facebook group)

From Book 2 Business (Facebook group)

Empty Nest Travel Hacker (Facebook group)

Daily Inspirational Quote (Facebook group)

YouTube: Movie Review Mom channel

Trina Boice channel

Empty Nest Travel Hacker channel

Lifelong Learning Education channel

Free gift: Finding Joy Today

Patreon: Movie Review Mom

How to Start a Blog

January 27, 2021 By LDSPMA 2 Comments

By Oakli Van Meter

Knowing how to start a blog is one of the hardest things, at least for me. My junior year at BYU, one of my professors said that we all should start a blog. She said it would be a great portfolio tool later on. I went home that day and started a blog. I wrote on and off for a while, then life happened. At the end of my senior year, I revived the blog for a class assignment. It felt great to have a required weekly post. Then once again, life got in the way and Wise Ole Oak is sitting quietly in the corner waiting for me to get back to it.

Why, you ask, does anyone care about my sad excuse for a blog? Why does it matter? Because I’m a classic case of “what not to do.” That being said, I feel prepared to share my advice on how to start a blog—advice sown from the fields of my failure.

First, choose a hosting platform.

Do you research, but don’t overstress it. There are plenty of free platforms that are virtually the same. Choose one that’s easy to use. My personal favorite is WordPress, but there are plenty of other good options that you can learn about here or here. Keep your site simple but professional. You don’t want text boxes of filler text from the template still lurking, but you don’t have to fill everything up with stuff.

Second, decide what your blog is going to be about.

You want to focus on what would benefit your potential clients. Editors could focus on writing or self-editing thoughts. Social media gurus could post about how to use social media. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. Something you can write about pretty much every week.

Third—and this is crucial—make a plan.

When to post, how often to post. (Hint: Monday mornings are a great internet traffic time.) Without a plan, you’re going to struggle to keep up. Trust me, I know. Create a spreadsheet with dates and topics. Set reminders. If you can, write several blog posts over the course of a few days. Then you don’t stress-write two hours before you want to get it posted.

Speaking of posting, make sure you’re sharing your blog posts to your social media channels. (And if you don’t have any of those, create some!) If you have an email newsletter, include the link there. Anywhere that your desired audience could see it, post it.

Finally, write. And enjoy it.

Blogging shouldn’t be stressful. It should be an additional, fun way to engage with your audience or clients. If it’s becoming stressful, step away for a bit. The inspiration often comes away from the keyboard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oakli Van Meter is a wife, mother, and a freelance editor, writer, and blogger.