We recently connected with Donnica Houston and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donnica, thank you so much for joining us and opening up about the very personal topic of divorce. So many in the community are going through or have gone through divorce and we think hearing about how others dealt with the aftermath and managed to build a vibrant, successful life and career despite the trauma of divorce can be helpful to many who might be feeling a degree of hopelessness. So, maybe you can talk to us about how you overcame divorce?
Going through divorce was one of the hardest seasons of my life. It tested me in ways I never imagined—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. But I made a decision early on: I would not allow this process to break me. Instead, I chose resilience.
I leaned fully on God, because I knew my own strength wasn’t enough. There were moments when the pain felt overwhelming, but I reminded myself daily that His grace was sufficient and His promises were still true. I had to truly believe that no matter the trials, I was not disqualified from the future God had for me.
What carried me through was the assurance that I was still owed the promise—that even though I had faced loss, God had already prepared restoration, peace, and joy on the other side. Today, I stand stronger, not because of what I went through, but because of who carried me through it
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the CEO of Soft Gurl Anointing, a clothing brand deeply inspired by my personal journey of resilience, healing, and faith. What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to create apparel that carries more than style—it carries meaning. Each piece is designed to reflect softness and strength, reminding women that they can walk boldly in both grace and power.
What makes Soft Gurl Anointing truly special is that it’s not just fashion, it’s a movement. The brand is rooted in the belief that even after life’s hardest challenges, we can still stand in beauty, purpose, and faith. Every design is a testimony of resilience and a celebration of womanhood.
Looking ahead, we are expanding with new collections and upcoming launches that I’m thrilled to share. These additions will continue to embody the heart of Soft Gurl Anointing—bringing together fashion, inspiration, and empowerment in every detail.
“Soft Gurl Anointing was birthed from my own story of overcoming, and it’s my mission to remind women everywhere that they can be soft, powerful, and unstoppable—all at the same time.” I AM HER, he is within me! Psalms 46:5
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were resilience, faith, and vision.
Resilience was essential because life doesn’t always go as planned. I faced moments where giving up would have been easier, but choosing to push through those challenges gave me the strength to keep building both personally and professionally.
Faith grounded me. My belief in God gave me the assurance that even when things looked uncertain, I was being carried and guided toward something greater. That faith allowed me to trust the process and not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Vision helped me move forward. It wasn’t enough to just dream—I had to see beyond my current circumstances and truly believe that I could build something meaningful. Holding on to that vision gave me direction and purpose when I needed it most.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this:
• Strengthen your resilience by learning to see setbacks as lessons instead of failures. Every challenge is shaping you.
• Nurture your faith—whether in God, in yourself, or in the calling on your life. That grounding will sustain you when things get hard.
• Protect and pursue your vision. Write it down, speak it out loud, and surround yourself with people and environments that fuel it.
If you can commit to developing these three qualities, you’ll not only survive your journey—you’ll grow through it.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to fully embrace vulnerability as a strength. For a long time, I associated strength with always holding everything together, but I’ve discovered that true growth comes from being honest about where you are, what you’ve been through, and what you still need.
That shift has not only helped me personally but has also impacted my brand. By allowing myself to be transparent, I’ve been able to connect with others on a deeper level and create pieces that truly resonate with women walking their own journeys of healing and empowerment.
This year has taught me that growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity.
“My greatest growth has come from realizing that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s power. This year taught me that being transparent connects me to people far more than being perfect ever could.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paradiseofg1fts.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softgurlanointing?igsh=MTd0ZTE4MG4xZDg3Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnica-houston-7414931b4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
ServantLens – Trimond Houston
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
