Success is often painted as a universal formula—climbing the career ladder, building wealth, or gaining public recognition. But in her new book, The Successful You, author, minister, and entrepreneur Carla Shaw reminds us that true success is far more personal and deeply spiritual. Drawing from the biblical wisdom of Joshua 1, Shaw challenges readers to trade performance for peace, comparison for calling, and worldly validation for God’s purpose.
With a heart for helping others grow into the fullness of who God designed them to be, Shaw speaks directly to leaders, dreamers, and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace their divine assignments without apology. Her own journey, marked by faith, resilience, and obedience, offers an authentic blueprint for aligning your life with God’s vision of success—one that prioritizes purpose over pressure.
In this conversation with SwagHer Magazine, Shaw opens up about the inspiration behind her book, how she stays grounded while wearing many hats, and why redefining success could be the key to living a life of impact and fulfillment.
Fancy: What inspired you to write The Successful You, and how does Joshua 1 shape the foundation of your message?
Carla: What inspired me to write The Successful You is my passion for seeing people grow and succeed in being themselves. Using the talents and abilities that God has given them. I have always been inspired by Joshua’s strength and his ability to trust God, but more importantly, to obey him. God’s word is alive and well, and when we continually study and meditate on his word to obey it, we experience the prosperity and success promised.
Fancy: You emphasize redefining success through God’s purpose rather than worldly validation—how did you come to embrace this shift in your own life? In the book, you encourage readers to trade performance for peace. What are some signs someone might be stuck in a performance mindset?
Carla: In today’s world, we are programmed to perform for the world by keeping up with what the world is doing and how the world says to do it. The world will keep you in a constant state of comparison, along with the standard it has set for you to be labeled successful. Comparison is the number one thing that keeps us stuck in a performance mindset.
Fancy: How does The Successful You speak to leaders, dreamers, and entrepreneurs specifically?
Carla:
- The Successful You speaks to leaders, letting them know it is okay to lead the way God has called you to lead. Your leadership method may not be for everyone, but it is for someone.
- For the dreamer, I believe this book will enlighten you to understand that it is okay for you to be you and succeed. Knowing that the dream of a business or whatever you are dreaming of is obtainable with the Lord. Joshua and the people of God are the prime example of being dreamers and obtainers, and doing it God’s way.
- That is the same for entrepreneurs; we can dream of some wild things; however, we must understand that it is God who has placed that in your heart, and He will be the one to give you the ability to accomplish it.
Fancy: What role has your faith played in shaping your journey as a ministry leader and business owner?
Carla: My faith in God is the only thing that has equipped me for this journey. There has always been a knowing on the inside of me, from a young girl, that I would be successful in whatever I decided to do. I quickly found that what I had to decide to do was what God called me to do. Ministry can be trying at times, really most of the time, but when you are walking and doing what he has designed you to do, it becomes easy. And I have grace; I’ve been graced to run the race that has been set before me.
Fancy: You wear many hats—author, entrepreneur, wife, mother, grandmother, and minister. How do you personally stay aligned with your divine assignment?
Carla: Yes, I wear a lot of hats. And you know what? I find joy in doing them all. I stay aligned by being true to God! I always check my heart in everything I do. I know that often we do things because others are, or simply because we feel like it. For me, I know that puts me out of alignment. Then I begin to feel stuck and start wondering, ‘How did I get here?’ or ‘Why am I doing this?’ There is no pleasure in being out of alignment when you are not walking in your divine assignment.
Fancy: How would you describe your SwagHer—what makes Carla Shaw unique in how she empowers others to pursue purpose over pressure?
Carla: I believe what makes me unique is that I’m not afraid to obey God. Demonstrating obedience is an empowering tool. Because you are allowing people to see that God can use anyone to accomplish great things while being what he designed you to be. That is what I desire for others as well: to pursue their purpose and not give in to the pressures of this world to gain success.
