Conversations with Ava Lindsay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Lindsay.

Hi Ava, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In the Upcoming began when I was just a 16-year-old girl who was in love with Jesus.

I’ve always loved art, graphic design, and everything creative growing up. I was that kid who had 6 YouTube channels for every one of their interests, 4 Instagram accounts, and made green screen YouTube videos with my iPad after school.

I started my first blog when I was in 7th grade. I talked about what I had been learning from my walk with Jesus and discovering about life. The Lord would speak to me a lot through writing, so it was the best platform to share my heart. Throughout the years, I just continued with it!

During my junior year of high school, I was sitting in a coffee shop, designing on my iPad. I drew the word “Upcoming” in my handwriting with a mustard-yellow brush. I immediately had the thought; “This is going to be the name of my book one day.”

Little did I know, it was going to be the center of my business and my life two years later.

After going to the coffee shop, I decided it was time to rebrand my blog from middle school. I renamed it “In the Upcoming.” I also made a new Instagram account where I posted words from God and documented my journey with Him.

The message of In the Upcoming became the hope you’ve been looking for. The seasons we walk through of preparation and hardship don’t compare to the beauty In the Upcoming. Anxiety, depression, and suicide have taken over my generation. We need hope now more than ever before. I believe that Jesus is the answer our world is looking for.

In my senior year of high school, I was involved in a well-known program called Northland CAPS. It was the greatest decision I ever made. The mission of Northland CAPS is “Providing students professional, authentic, innovative and relevant experiences that support a vibrant Kansas City workforce.” They did for me, just that. I got time during my school day to pursue In the Upcoming deeper with the mentors and guidance I needed.

The entire year I brainstormed, journaled, and dreamed with God. I decided to start my own online store. On June 25, 2021, the store was launched featuring my first collection, “The Simple Gospel.”

It has been the best journey of my life.

Today, I have been continuing to innovate with God on my next collection and planning for the future. My day-to-day looks like designing, writing, brainstorming, and following wherever God takes me next!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t easy getting started! I was starting from the bottom up on learning about business licenses, taxes, accounting, sourcing, etc. I also had just turned 18! But luckily through the internet, patience, mentors, and some time, I learned so much about running a business.

At the end of the day, I am so thankful for the journey. I now treasure the time I took to invest in the foundation. Every time I made mistakes, I learned something new and grew stronger because of it. The Lord carried me through for sure!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I spent years trying to figure out where I fit in creatively. Am I a photographer? Public speaker? Videographer? Story-teller? Author? Graphic designer?

Blogger? Vlogger?

After all of my years through school, I realized I didn’t just want to be a Creative–

I want to be a pioneer.

I want to create something this world has never seen before.

I want to creatively display God’s heart for humanity through clothing, social media, videos, and writing. I want people to encounter the same hope I did. I want to lead individuals into an encounter with God through apparel! I want to use my hands to tell Jesus’ story to the world: how He came, how He died, and how He rose again so we could live an abundant life today. I want to empower other people my age to not see their potential by looking in the mirror but by looking to Jesus.

I’ve found that my creative journey was less about figuring out what I’m good at and more about discovering what I am passionate about. Jesus saved my life– and there is no other message I want to give my life to.

I believe that when your creativity flows out of what you are most passionate about… that’s an entrepreneurial force.

One of my favorite parts of the online store is the postcard that comes with each t-shirt. Every order comes with a word from God behind the design. It is special for me to hear stories of people displaying the postcard on their desk or constantly re-reading it to learn more about God’s heart for them.

I just love creating with God!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I don’t think so! I did just want to say I love your mission and heart behind what you do. Thank you for giving small creatives a place to share their story! I’ve never heard of anything like it.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.intheupcoming.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheupcoming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intheupcoming
• Other: Northland CAPS: https://www.northlandcaps.org/s/1625/bp19/home.aspx