As I draft this story I just can’t help but reflect on how far I’ve come. It’s been a long ride of interviews, transcribing, typing, editing, publishing and promoting these lovely stories. Each guest willingly allowed me to tell their stories but this particular lady was even more excited than the rest.
In today’s episode, I share with you the story of a young woman who has a burning zeal and desire for God. Lovely readers meet Miss Lusack.
Born in Banjul, The Gambia, Annie Elizabeth Lusack is the last born of 5 girls. She is a teacher, a worship dancer and an entrepreneur. She’s the C.E.O of Anilize events. This is a brand comprising of “Annie honey bunch product, Annie’s books, a host of anilize women in business seminars and conferences. Annie is a lady with a burning passion for women. She strongly believes that women have great potentials yet to be tapped into. Let’s have a chit-chat with Annie and walk down memory lane.
Life growing up!
“As the last born, I practically grew up alone. It was just me and my parents. I spent most of my time watching T.V, making friends and playing with my neighbours.
At 6 years of age, I completed my nursery school and was ready for the next level. However, the primary school my parents wanted to enrol me in had a rule. The rule was a child must be 7 years old before being enrolled into the first grade. Thus, I had to repeat nursery 3 and moved to grade 1 the following year. After spending 6 years in Saint Theresa’s primary school, I sat to my common entrance exam (primary school leaving certificate) in 2001.
Next was for me to continue my junior secondary education in another school (Ndows secondary school) but I didn’t meet the cut off mark. Honestly, I didn’t want to transfer to Ndows, I wanted to stay in St.Theresa and continue till grade 9.
It was fortunately unfortunate😂 that I didn’t get the marks for Ndows but I finally got to stay and continue in St. Theresa. In 2004 I sat to my junior secondary school leaving certificate exam and came out with flying colours. My parents let me choose my school of choice and, I went in for the Gambia senior secondary school (Gambia High). In 2007 I graduated from High school and that’s when life got real!!
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Life After High School ,The Challenges
After high school, I wanted to take a gap year in order to work and earn some cash. Imagine my excitement when I got a job as a voluntary receptionist at a research centre. I was so happy! I started working and I was so dedicated to the job.
On this particular day, one of my bosses called me into her office and said “Annie, you have been working really hard and that’s great but don’t you have plans to go to university”. I told her that I did have plans but I don’t know how to go about it. She asked me to make enquiries, which I did. I went to the University of The Gambia, checked out the available courses and chose linguistics.
Everything was working out fine and they were ready to sponsor me but, something unexpected happened. Someone somewhere pulled some evil strings and the offer was withdrawn. I was asked to leave the job and this broke my heart. What next? I had no idea.
I wrote numerous applications and sent them to various banks and offices hoping to get a reply but, to my disappointment I got none. A gap year turned out to be 8 months of unemployment and no admission into the university.
In 2009, I was on the verge of giving up when God passed through my neighbour and came to my rescue. My dad took me to a neighbour who was a university official. He knew someone in the university to who he explained my situation. The man was willing to help and he bought me the application form which I filled. In July 2009, I got admission into the university and I was given a 3 month grace period to pay my fees. Miraculously, my tuition for the first year was covered. However, I was in a state of dilemma. I couldn’t decide what to major in. Should I go for political science or development studies? I later went in for development studies.
2nd year came and still no scholarship. I was worried! My dad had had just retired and my mum’s small business wasn’t making that much profit to cover my tuition. My dad had to sell his car to pay for the first-semester fee. The second semester came and I was stuck. I told God “please make a way, I don’t want to be a dropout”.
God sent help; my grand mum (who is also my namesake) stepped into the scene. She paid the rest of my tuition fees and in March 2014 I graduated with a degree in developmental studies.
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Annie, the Entrepreneur!
In 2018, I attended a Christian youth program. It was a business seminar where we were taught about business and all it entails. One of the speakers asked if anyone had a business idea, no one was willing to speak up, I stood up and explained my business idea to him and the audience. Right there he promised to give 3000GMD (60 USD) to help me start up my business.
A month later I received the money and I was about to embark on a business. The idea I had was not that lucrative so I was advised to think of an alternative. I sat down to think! I thought and thought and thought- hmmmmm!
While I was still brainstorming, I happened to watch a cartoon with my nephews. It was about bees that sued humans, accusing them of destroying the environment. Funnily the bees won. I was telling my nephew how funny the carton was when suddenly it hit me. I was like “hey, I can actually start a honey business.”
And just like that, I got the inspiration to start Annie honeybunch. While I was working and preparing for the launch of Annie’s honeybunch, I felt led to publish a book for ladies. I jumped right in and started working on that too. In September 2019, I had a double launch. I launched the honey products and the books and it was a great success.
I started small, moved from the small honey jar to the big honey bottle. Despite the 2020 pandemic, I made great sales and expanded my business. I got a lot of my referrals from my customers and they kept pushing me to do more. Annie’s honeybunch comprises natural honey, honey soap, honey cream for hair and skin, honey & peanut spread and honey lip balm.
As a solopreneur, I do everything alone. From branding to delivery to customer service etc. That in itself is a challenge coupled with the fact that I’m also a teacher. It’s really not easy running a business but I thank God for the strength and grace to press on.
Anilize events as a brand comprises of BBSS:
B = business
B = Books
S = Seminars/Conferences
S = Shows
What Anilize Events is all about and how we work with women
Under business, I collaborate with other women in business to organize seminars for women. In these seminars, we share ideas and patronize each other. We also minister to ourselves and encourage each other to grow spiritually.
Under events, I also collaborate with other women to come up with programs to empower women spiritually. In these events, we focus more on ministration and building up faith. The broken women conference is one such event.
In years to come I see anilize events expanding, hosting more events, starting new business and birthing forth every God-given ideas.
Annie’s wins/achievements
- My first win is taking a leap of faith and starting a business. I’m so thankful to God I did
- When I lost both my parents, I was broken. It was a difficult moment for me but out of my brokenness came “broken women conference. To some,this may not look like an achievement but to me it says a lot. It was when I surrendered all to God and told him to use me for his glory. A new me emerged. A brand new me with a changed mindset, a different mode of dressing and conduct. I was rebranded
The Holy Spirit is my biggest inspiration. He is working in me to do more all to the Glory of God.
The Grooming process!
God has been grooming me since 2018 but recently I noticed the programs I have intended to do and don’t ask him first, don’t actualize. Being someone who likes to do things independently, it has been a great lesson the hard way. I totally forgot that I have already told him to take over. I had 4 TV shows that were not successful. Two twin trips that I had to cancel. Mind you, all had potential sponsors and everything was set but I couldn’t find that usual excitement again. So coming up with a new event next month I had to learn my lesson and cancel it. I just stuck to my usual events of last year. It’s shameful but I still had to ask for mercy and move on.
One of your recent speakers on the CTN21 spoke of not doing anything God hasn’t approved of. Apostle Selman also said the same and it was a confirmation of my most recent situation. It’s a waste of time, energy and resources.
Why use my strength, when he is enough. I foolishly boasted of him doing whatever idea I came up with but forgot the book of James that talks about God answering our prayers accordingly to his will.
How I became a worship dancer
Early 2013, I was at the Methodist youth camp when I saw one of the ladies dancing in the Spirit. I was so fascinated and I had this desire to do the same. After the camp, I started practising but I didn’t continue. In 2018, while God was grooming me, I felt the fire rekindling and the urge to dance kept building up. I went for a worship concert and right there while ministration was going on, I saw myself dancing. That’s how it all started ohhhh!
Then covid happened and churches were closed. While at home, I decided to dance to a song by Eben. I recorded it and uploaded it on my Facebook page and surprisingly, I got a lot of positive feedbacks. People testifying how they were blessed by the video and how it made their day. Since then, I have not stopped. I don’t think anyone can discourage me from using my feet and hands to dance for God. I realize anytime I minister to God through dancing, I receive unexpected blessings. Someone will either call me to give me something or a blessing I least expects will locate me. This tells me something!
This journey called life
So far so good, life has taught me the importance of having wisdom and discernment. You may have ideas and creativity but if you lack wisdom, those around you can try to take advantage of you. Discernment also enables you to know when, how and with who to share your ideas. I’m also learning the importance of rest. Sometimes it’s good to just take time out and rest.
Advice to youths
Don’t wait until you get married to do things for God. Use your youth to serve God. Now is the time to fulfil your purpose and make the most out of every opportunity.
waw
Wow!!, the LORD bless your heart Miss Annie. success in your book launch.
Lesson learnt:: Always learn to put your dependence on GOD.
Thank you mickeygblogs.com for all your effort in putting all these together, more skills, wisdom and divine revelation.
We look forward to part 3/episode 3. smiles
Amen
As always, thanks for reading
Proud of u all,may God continue to give you the strength to pursue more of ur dreams
Amen