CHAPTER 2
Stardust Ministry
Stardust was born shortly after I moved home from working at Disney, right in the midst of my quarter life crisis. A friend of mine introduced me to Jordan, and SHE introduced me to faith.
I wanted to create a welcoming space where I could freely talk about the various things I was learning and share The Word with others who might benefit from it.
Stardust Ministry was the rebrand of the You’re Not Alone Project. It became an online ministry dedicated to encouraging young women to start and/or further their relationship with faith. We provided opportunities to study scripture through online bible studies, social media challenges that encouraged women to help out in their community, a frequently updated faith-based blog, adult mentoring, and other actives accessible through the website.
As the developer, I create all content posted on the website and social media, including video bible studies. I also sold products and offered volunteer opportunities that support charities and organizations around the United States. For example, Christmas 2018 we ran our "Twists 4 Kids Campaign" where we had 40+ volunteers braid 4,000 friendship bracelets for children's hospitals. We were able to send these bracelets to over 10 hospitals across the United States.
Don’t settle.
Stardust was a lot different from the You’re Not Alone Project, especially when it came to branding and overall presentation. It was important for me to create an aesthetic that resonated with the themes of hope and connection, ensuring that viewers felt compelled to explore further. My first challenge was the logo.
A logo is meant to reflect the personality of the brand and create a memorable impression to build brand recognition. If the design doesn't match the brand's essence, it can confuse and disconnect with the audience. Therefore, investing in a thoughtful design is important for a strong brand presence.
I initially had a clear idea for the Stardust logo, but the first design was boring and lacked personality. The second version was much better and included a font I liked (and continued to use), but it wasn't bold enough to look good on t-shirts and stickers. I was looking for a modern handwritten style that I could add a rose gold overlay on. In the end, I got exactly what I envisioned and couldn’t have been happier!
Blogging plays a crucial role in establishing an online presence and building a connection with an audience. It allows individuals and businesses to share insights and encourage engagement with your audience. An essential element of this process is the creation of a thumbnail for each blog post, which serves as the first visual impression for readers. When thumbnails align with the brand's style, colors, and tone, they create a cohesive experience that strengthens the reader's trust and encourages them to explore more content.
I would post 1 blog per month on the Stardust Ministry website, with an average of 185-250 reads per blog post.
Stardust Ministry was actively engaged in its operations until July of 2019. So, what happened? Did it fail in its mission or purpose? Absolutely not!
Not all projects culminate in a traditional sense of success.
Sometimes, the end of a project can lead to significant insights and new opportunities. In the case of Stardust, I found myself at a pivotal moment where my dedication became inconsistent due to the emergence of new opportunities that came as a direct result of the skills I had developed from Stardust.
While the conclusion of my ministry might seem like a setback, it actually served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. It’s end was less about failure and more about transitioning to a new phase that required my attention elsewhere. Ultimately, the journey of Stardust Ministry will be remembered not for its end but for the growth it inspired and the new paths it opened…
