Joanne Parks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Joanne, 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?
Open a coffee shop! I’ve been wanting to open one since we moved up 8 years ago, and it’s taken that long for everything to fall into place.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joanne and, initially, I started making bullet jewelry when we moved up to Missouri. While I still make jewelry, I also opened a tiny, micro coffee shop located inside of a boutique! I’m blessed and lucky enough to combine both of my passions in one place! I get to sell my jewelry inside Rustic Rebel, and I also get to craft some super delicious coffees in my coffee shop, Flyover State Coffee and Creamery. I’m still working on getting the “creamery” portion open, but I’ve got the coffee part down! My business partner (Tiffany Donham), who owns the Boutique, and I are working hard to get the tiny town we’re in, to be a spot where people want to day trip and shop. The town we’re in is historic and nostalgic, it’s a fun trip back in time when you visit here.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me so much about working. It’s impossible to accomplish anything without hard work and determination. I was taught that no one owes you anything, and if you want nice things, you have got to work for it. You’ve got to be willing to put in the time, do things you don’t want to do, or that you’re too tired to do. In this life, you get out what you put in. I’ve also learned, through my faith, that it’s never in MY time, it’s always in God’s time. Numerous things have fallen through or just didn’t work out, because I wanted it in MY time. I’ve learned patience and perseverance in this whole thing. Taking the high road matters.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering teaches you SO many things. Had I not suffered, I would not have the appreciation and love for things and people. You can’t appreciate something you never had to work for. I’ve lost everything, I’ve lived in 2 battered women’s shelters and I’ve been homeless for a small bit of time, sleeping on a friend’s trailer floor. It really puts things into perspective and shows you what is truly important when you have nothing. My family is the only thing not replaceable. Everything else is just stuff
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely! I think it’s important to be organic in who you are. For me, what you see is what you get!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Me. I would remain. God’s daughter. The most important thing. You cannot take your possessions, your role or anything with you, when you leave this earth. I will however, take with me, the knowledge that am I am the daughter of the most high King. He is in me and I’m made in His likeness.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Tiffany Donham
Rustic Rebel
