Dorothy N Betts shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Dorothy N , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
“When I first read this question, I realized how long I’d been holding back from fully stepping into my calling as a writer and author. I used to doubt my voice and whether my stories and devotionals would matter to others. But now I feel called to share them boldly — to publish, to teach, and to speak with confidence. Working with supportive tools and people, including the guidance I’ve received in KC, has helped me organize my ideas and see my gifts clearly. I’m learning that courage isn’t the absence of fear but moving forward despite it, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“My name is Dorothy ‘Nell’ Betts, a retired educator, now a full-time author and founder of Layla Is My Joy LLC. Inspired by my granddaughter Layla Louise, my brand celebrates family, faith, and legacy through storytelling. I write children’s picture books that highlight intergenerational connections and traditions, always weaving in a ‘make-and-take’ activity so families can carry the story experience into their own homes. Alongside that, I’m working on a devotional collection called Ministry Moments, which draws from my personal faith journey to encourage and uplift others. What makes my work unique is the way I bring together real-life family traditions, classroom experience, and spiritual reflection to create stories that leave lasting impressions. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to inspire joy, strengthen family bonds, and remind others of God’s presence in everyday life.”
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
“One of my earliest memories of feeling truly powerful was when I was 40 years old and drove nearly 1,000 miles round trip from Kansas City to Shreveport with my 14-year-old son. I had to stay awake and focused the entire way, and I even asked my son to help keep me alert — which, of course, was a big job for him. My mother was upset that I even attempted the trip on my own, but looking back I know it was ordained. That journey wasn’t just about covering miles — it taught me so much about perseverance, courage, and leaning on both God and family. It was invigorating, and it showed me just how much I was capable of.”
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: the road will be bumpy, but true love will come for you, and you will find your voice. I keep a first-grade picture of myself on my buffet, and when I look at that little girl with the sad eyes, I remind her that she is stronger than she knows. Life will not always be easy, but she will grow into someone who is loved, purposeful, and able to speak with confidence.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
“One foundational truth in my life is something my mother often told me: just do the right thing. Over the years, it became ingrained in me, so much so that when I fail or even when I’m simply weighing my own opinions, those words find their way back into my mental conversation. And now I hear myself saying the very same thing to my children. It’s funny how life repeats itself — her wisdom has become mine, and now I’m passing it on.”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Just today, my brother spoke a truth into my spirit that had me thinking about this very question. He reminded me that we are all born with a talent, and it’s up to us to search ourselves and cultivate that talent until it grows into what it was meant to be. For me, that talent has always been writing. I started writing poetry when I was 15 years old, after my mother relocated my sister and me from Shreveport to Kansas City, Kansas. I felt so alone at that time — a new place, trying to make friends, and being laughed at because of my accent. It was a hard transition. But deep within, I knew I had something to say, even when there was no one to listen. Over the years, I’ve realized that even if my words never make me rich or famous, that’s not the point. What matters is that I’ve released what God placed inside of me. I’ve poured out the words that danced in my heart for years, and in doing so, I know I am walking in what I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dorothynellbetts.squarespace.com
- Instagram: @dnbetts5662
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/dorothy-betts-63a037337
- Facebook: Dorothy Nell Betts
