Meet Jelilat Williams of Gracewell Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jelilat Williams.

Hi Jelilat, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started Gracewell from a place of need. Throughout my struggles in my mental health journey, I was constantly seeking what didn’t make me feel like I had to choose between being Christian and being a human who faced challenges. Using my expertise as a therapist and the faith that had kept me anchored throughout my life, I created products that would have been a blessing to have when I was having a hard time. As I continued to grow in my career as a therapist, I kept connecting with clients in the spaces I’d been in, facing the same struggles I faced when finding support. It was amazing to provide that connection of faith and mental health to them and see the joy on their faces when they, too, found the support they’d been looking for. It made me realize that while I am a massive supporter of therapy, I can reach more people in other ways. So I got to work planning and creating, and with a lot of prayer, Gracewell has become the brand that it is today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Starting a business has been challenging. It has challenged my faith in ways that I never expected. I also had to learn many skills I didn’t need to realize were necessary to run a business. I had to grow in perseverance when creating products, market testing, and selling products. Having a focus on faith and mental health presented its difficulties in that I am challenging a very real stigma that has many controversial opinions surrounding it. My journey and passion for helping those seeking the same type of support I was have kept me motivated despite these struggles. For every setback, there have been moments of encouragement reminding me that I am on the right path and that what Gracewell has to offer is needed by many.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a therapist turned small business owner, my business stands out as a dedicated provider of mental health resources designed specifically for the healing Christian. I’m on a mission to make a real difference in the lives of people in the Christian community who, like me, have faced the challenge of balancing faith and mental well-being. There is a huge stigma in the Christian community that stops people or makes it extremely difficult for those who are struggling to get the support they need without shame. Our deep-rooted commitment to addressing these genuine struggles sets us apart. In my journey, I always felt that there was a divide between my faith and mental health, as if I constantly had to choose between one or the other. Go to a therapist or go to my pastor for support. When I became a therapist myself, I realized that the two don’t have to be separate; in fact, God never intended it to be that way. Our products help bridge the gap and break the stigma around faith and mental health, from faith-based journals that encourage introspection and spiritual growth to apparel that provides a way to wear your beliefs while starting essential conversations about mental health. We strive to overcome the challenges posed by the stigma surrounding mental health in religious circles and create a space where healing and growth can flourish. We believe in being more than just a brand; we’re a warm, welcoming community where understanding, healing, and love are valued.

How do you define success?
Defining success for me goes beyond traditional metrics like sales or profit margins. While those are important indicators of business health, success is measured by the positive impact we make in the lives of individuals within the Christian community and beyond. Success is seeing someone who once felt isolated in their struggles find comfort and support through our products. It’s witnessing individuals who have struggled with their mental health finally feel seen and empowered to seek the support they need without shame. Success is the growing community of Christians who speak out against the stigma, start hard conversations, and become people who support and uplift one another through shared experiences and understanding. Ultimately, success for Gracewell Shop is about creating a space where healing, growth, and love thrive because that happens when you bridge the gap between faith and mental health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gracewellshop.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shopgracewell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracewellshop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shopgracewell
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@shopgracewell