Open-Handed Leadership: Brianne Price on Faith, Freedom, and Finding Your 'Why' in Business

In a world often driven by relentless pursuit and tight-fisted control, Brianne Price, founder of Mills and Me Services, offers a refreshing, faith-infused approach to business and life: 'open-handed' living. For Brianne, this isn't just a mantra; it's the guiding principle that transformed her career from a dedicated teacher to a thriving entrepreneur, empowering countless others along the way.

Brianne's journey began with a leap of faith. After the birth of her daughter in 2022, she realized the demands of her preschool teaching job were unsustainable. With no backup plan, she turned to God, posting on Facebook with a simple question: 'Who needs a virtual assistant?' The response was overwhelming – eight job offers in 24 hours. This unexpected flood of opportunity revealed a significant need in the market, not just for virtual assistants, but for a more intentional way of working.

What started as a personal pivot quickly evolved into a mission to help others. Mills and Me Services, named after her children's middle names, is a testament to her family-first philosophy. Brianne now dedicates herself to two key areas: equipping individuals, primarily women, to become successful virtual assistants, and guiding business owners in the art of effective delegation to find greater freedom in their work.

The Power of Open-Handedness and Divine Connection

For Brianne, 'open-handed' is synonymous with surrender – a powerful act of trust, especially in her faith. 'My word of the year, my kind of focus of this year has been to be open-handed,' she shares, pointing to a small sign on her desk. 'It's a constant reminder like, okay, I'm in this meeting and I need to be open-handed. Like, what does this meeting have for this other person? And how can I be a light in this meeting?'

This principle extends directly into her business model. Brianne acts as a divine matchmaker, connecting virtual assistants with business owners based not just on skills, but on personality, passion, and purpose. 'God has like, led that process the whole way,' she explains, recounting a story of connecting a faith-based financial planner with the perfect assistant after a period of patient waiting. 'Now they're connected and like just skyrocketing.'

Uncovering the 'Why' and Empowering Mothers

One of the most profound aspects of Brianne's work is helping individuals rediscover their 'why.' Many of her clients, particularly stay-at-home mothers or women entering semi-retirement, have lost touch with their passions amidst life's demands. When asked 'What are you passionate about?' the common response is often, 'I don't know. Nobody's asked me that in forever.'

Brianne gently guides them back to this core question, often connecting it to their spiritual design. 'It's a lot of the conversation is around like, who are you made to be and where do you… see God in your life,' she says. This process helps women recognize their inherent talents, translating 'homeschool mom' skills like project management into valuable business assets.

She emphasizes the biblical concept that a fulfilled mother benefits everyone. By offering flexible work arrangements – from a few hours a week to more substantial commitments – Brianne empowers mothers to engage their minds beyond daily routines, finding purpose and contributing financially without sacrificing their family values. She shares a heartwarming example of connecting her neighbor, a stay-at-home mom needing to cover preschool costs, with her pastor who desperately needed an admin.

Authenticity in a Charged World

Operating a faith-based business in today's diverse landscape presents unique challenges. Brianne's approach is disarmingly simple: authenticity. Drawing inspiration from Jesus' ministry, she believes in 'just showing up.'

'He just showed up and that's what he did,' Brianne reflects. 'It wasn't these… yes, he had the grandiose, you know, miracles. But a lot of the… a lot of what he did, he just showed up.' She applies this by being her genuine self in networking meetings and one-on-one conversations. 'I'm a human too, but I feel like Jesus's light shines and you just have to show up. You don't have to have a grandiose presentation to defend the faith.'

This resonates deeply, echoing the sentiment that people often have no problem with Christ, but rather with flawed Christians. Brianne's commitment to simply being a light, rather than engaging in theological debates, allows her faith to speak through her actions and the value she provides.

Small Steps, Big Growth: Advice for Entrepreneurs

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Brianne offers two crucial pieces of advice:

• Find a Coach or Mentor: 'Find somebody that can either coach you or just walk alongside you because it can feel… really, really overwhelming.' Having someone to bounce ideas off of is invaluable.
• Start Small to Grow Big: Using the analogy of her daughter on a swing, Brianne advises, 'You have to start small and grow big. Like, you can't… you literally cannot swing huge first.' She encourages focusing on three key areas for delegation or growth, rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Her delegation worksheet helps business owners identify what they're 'drowning in' and what can be offloaded.

She also champions the importance of working on your business, not just in it. While the 'how' and the 'mechanisms' can be delegated, the vision, personality, and strategic direction are unique to the founder. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix help her clients distinguish between urgent and important tasks, empowering them to delegate effectively and focus on what only they can do.

Brianne Price's story is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of integrating faith and business. Through open-handed leadership, she not only builds successful ventures but also cultivates purpose, empowers individuals, and illuminates a path to freedom for those seeking to align their work with their deepest values.