Building on Faith: How One Entrepreneur Found His Calling and Community

In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, where challenges often outnumber certainties, Shane Yarbrough, owner of Bartlett Fence LLC, offers a compelling testament to the power of faith, patience, and community. His journey, marked by unexpected turns and profound lessons, reveals a path to success paved not just with hard work, but with an unwavering trust in a higher purpose.

Shane’s story begins with a return to his roots. After years in the corporate world, he felt a pull back to the fence industry, a world his father had built and loved. Though he initially resisted, a series of serendipitous events, including a neighbor’s need for a fence and his son’s insightful nudge, led him to reopen his father’s company. This decision, made in September 2024, marked the beginning of a challenging yet deeply rewarding first year.

The Power of 'Walk by Faith'

For Shane, faith isn't just a Sunday activity; it's the bedrock of his business and personal life. He describes the past year as a continuous exercise in 'walking by faith.' “There have been more moments where I started a morning and I’m going, ‘We’re not going to be able to make that happen. How is that going to get pulled off?’ And by the end of the day on Friday, I sit there and I look back and I go, ‘No, we didn’t do any of that. That was God.’”

This profound realization underscores a core principle: when faced with overwhelming obstacles, the solution often lies beyond human effort. It’s about trusting that divine intervention will provide, even at the last breath.

Praise Over Worry: A Shift in Focus

Shane shares a transformative insight he gained during a moment of frustration: instead of questioning and worrying, he chose to praise. “Why don’t you just stop and give praise?” This shift in perspective, he found, reorients focus and makes struggles more manageable. By actively praising, even amidst difficulties, he experienced a stronger sense of God’s presence and a clearer path forward. This practice isn't about ignoring problems, but about approaching them from a place of gratitude and trust, allowing for a more positive and effective response.

Aligning Your Path: The 'Pegs in a Line' Philosophy

A pivotal piece of advice Shane received from a Christian counselor in 2013 guides his decision-making: “If you ever look back in life, and the pegs are lining up, keep going. You’re on the right path for God. You don’t go left, don’t go right. Keep going. If you look back, and they’re all squiggly, Stop! Stop! Go pray. Readjust, rethink, refocus, repray.”

This philosophy, fittingly resonant with his work in fencing, encourages regular self-assessment. Are your actions and outcomes aligning with your values and purpose? If not, it’s a clear signal to pause, pray, and adjust. This isn't about perfection, but about intentionality and responsiveness to divine guidance.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way (and Why They Matter)

Reflecting on his younger self, Shane admits he was “hard-headed” and often chose the “long way around” to learn life’s lessons. While he wishes he had listened more to the wisdom of elders, he also recognizes the value in those difficult experiences. “I don’t always think that’s a bad thing because I think there’s a lot of folks out there that I could relate to just as well as you could who are going through things we’ve all went through and they need us.” These hard-won lessons, he believes, equip him to connect with and uplift others who are navigating similar struggles, making him a more effective “tool in the toolbox” for God’s purpose.

The Indispensable Power of Community

Perhaps the most crucial advice Shane offers for those striving to live their faith is to “put some people around you.” He vividly recalls a group of 13 men who supported him through a dark period in 2013, offering prayers and encouragement at all hours. This type of community, he emphasizes, provides an essential lifeline, lifting individuals up during tough times, whether in business or personal life.

Shane also wisely notes that “seasons change.” The people who support you at one stage of life may differ from those who walk with you in another. Embracing this evolution and actively seeking out new communities that align with your current growth is vital for continued spiritual and personal development.

Guarding Your Heart and Living Your Purpose

Shane’s journey is a powerful reminder of Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” His commitment to faith, his practice of praise, his willingness to adjust his path, and his reliance on a supportive community all stem from a heart dedicated to God’s will. He sees himself as a “protector, a leader, a guider, and a warrior of God,” not just for his family and team, but for everyone he encounters.

In a world constantly seeking quick fixes and guaranteed outcomes, Shane Yarbrough’s story stands as a beacon of transformational leadership. It’s a call to embrace the journey of faith, to find strength in praise, to align with divine purpose, and to build a community that uplifts and empowers. His experience with Bartlett Fence LLC is more than a business success story; it’s a testament to a life lived with purpose, guided by faith, and enriched by the power of connection.