Meet Mariah Sims

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariah Sims. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariah below.

Mariah, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My life is a story of resilience, and I can only attribute that to God. From the very beginning, I wasn’t set up for an easy road—born to teen parents (15 and 19), losing my father just ten days before my freshman year of high school, and now walking this journey as a single mother to my six-year-old son. But through every challenge, I’ve held on to the truth of Proverbs 24:16: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” That has been the anthem of my life.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about standing firm in faith when life knocks you down. It’s about trusting that God’s plans for you are greater than your circumstances. Every setback I’ve faced has only strengthened my resolve to keep going, not just for myself but for the legacy I’m building for my son and the entrepreneurs I serve. I don’t just endure hardships—I overcome them, because I know that every battle I face is already won through Christ.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the founder of Kingdom Funder Business Coaching, where I teach entrepreneurs how to work less, make more, and serve God by automating and scaling their businesses.

My journey started with opening Tidal Wave Athletics, a cheerleading and gymnastics facility where we don’t just develop athletes—we develop good human beings who are kind, responsible, and equipped with life skills that go beyond the gym. Before that, I was the director of a program, working part-time and making just $350 per month. But I knew I was called to more. So, I took a leap of faith, opened my own gym with my business partner, and went from barely scraping by to earning a full-time salary—while working the same part-time hours. That experience showed me firsthand that strategy is everything, and the right business model can completely change your life.

That’s exactly why I started Kingdom Funder Business Coaching—to help entrepreneurs break free from the hustle cycle and build sustainable, automated businesses that allow them to increase their income while working less. Too many business owners are stuck grinding day in and day out, never experiencing the freedom they set out to create. But I believe success isn’t just about making money—it’s about creating a life that allows you to serve God fully.

Right now, I’m preparing to launch my 12-week course, The Automated CEO, designed to help business owners implement automation, scale their businesses, and create financial freedom—without sacrificing their faith or family. This isn’t just another business course—it’s a blueprint for building a business that works for you, not the other way around.

If you’re tired of working endless hours with little to show for it and are ready to make more while working less, I’d love to help you build a business that actually gives you freedom. Because financial freedom isn’t just possible—it’s biblical.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities had the greatest impact on my journey: faith, strategy, and resilience. These were not just beneficial traits but essential foundations that allowed me to grow from earning a minimal income to building successful businesses that provide true freedom.

First, faith has been the cornerstone of every decision I have made. My business is not built solely on my own abilities but on trusting God’s direction. There were moments when logic suggested I should quit, but faith kept me moving forward. For those early in their journey, I encourage making prayer and seeking God’s wisdom a daily practice. Business decisions should be guided by both sound strategy and divine direction.

Second, strategy is critical. Hard work alone does not guarantee success—there must be a plan. When I transitioned from simply working harder to working more efficiently, everything changed. My advice to new entrepreneurs is to prioritize learning. Understanding business models, marketing, and automation early on can help create a business that operates efficiently and sustainably.

Finally, resilience is essential. Entrepreneurship inevitably comes with setbacks. I have faced challenges, moments of doubt, and unexpected obstacles, but Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” The ability to recover from failures, learn from mistakes, and continue forward is what separates those who succeed from those who give up.

For anyone just starting out, I recommend focusing on these three areas: grounding yourself in faith, implementing strategic planning, and cultivating resilience. These qualities will provide a strong foundation for long-term success.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The most important book in my development has been the Bible. While it may sound cliché to some, I have seen firsthand that the Word of God provides real, practical wisdom for both life and business.

One of the most inspiring biblical figures for me is the Proverbs 31 woman. She was not only a wife and mother but also an entrepreneur—buying land, running businesses, and ensuring her household prospered. She exemplifies that business and faith are not separate; rather, entrepreneurship can be a means of stewarding God’s blessings and serving others.

Another foundational scripture for me is Deuteronomy 8:18, which states, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to create wealth.” This verse is a reminder that financial success is not just about talent or effort—it is a divine empowerment. God gives us ideas, strategies, and opportunities, but it is up to us to take action and steward them well.

The Bible also provides clear principles for success in business, including diligence (Proverbs 10:4), integrity (Proverbs 11:1), and wise planning (Luke 14:28). These are not just moral guidelines but practical strategies that lead to sustainable success.

Ultimately, God is my CEO, and the Bible is my compliance manual. Every decision I make in business is rooted in His Word because He is the ultimate source of wisdom, provision, and success. The more I align my work with biblical principles, the more I see His favor and guidance in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stan.store/kingdomfunder
• Instagram: @KingdomFunder

Image Credits

Tori Presutti Photography