Finding your Mission: Feed Your Soul with Kathy Juana

Mission Lane is an online boutique that not only sells fashionable clothing but also is dedicated to helping women and children in need by participating in positive community events. Behind this amazing combination of a fast growing online shopping destination that also gives back to the community is 32 year-old Kathy Juana. Kathy started www.mymissionlane.com inspired by the island of Bonthe, Sierra Leone and modeled for “the girl who will never lose her sense of style, will never lose herself, and will never lose her mission.” Last winter, Mission Lane held a winter accessories drive, Share the Warmth Drive, in New Jersey and New York with Fish Hospitality Inc., and last month held a Prom Drive and posted a blog post offering submissions for two deserving girls to get glammed-up for prom with hair, makeup and dress on Mission Lane. It is not often in the fashion world that a retailer sets her company’s sights not just on making profit, but on making a difference in the world and influencing others to do the same. Cool Factor. So needless to say, Kathy’s soul food is giving back and keeping her faith close to her and in every action she takes.

Are there any consistent activities or rituals you do to maintain a sense of inner peace? On Sundays, I go to church and don't listen to my typical radio stations or go on social media (I try my hardest). I listen to uplifting Christian music and keep my activities to a minimum.

When you are in an emotional rut, what are your go to ways to bring yourself out of that feeling? I mostly pray or talk it out to myself. I think it's important to be able to acknowledge whether your feelings warrant the energy you are putting out there.

Before beginning a creative process, what type of preparation do you normally undertake? I mostly write down what I want to accomplish and how I will get there. I love to take random notes in my phone; my mind is always running so going and looking at my notes reminds me of my thoughts.

Describe a time you underwent a particularly stressful situation and what measures you took to move through that process. Launching my online store, Mission Lane (mymissionlane.com) was an extremely stressful time for me. As you can imagine, starting a business isn't easy and being that I also work full time, the amount of space I had left in my brain to use at the end of the day was nonexistent. During this time, I listened to a lot of uplifting spiritual music, made daily to do lists so I kept focused on that day’s list and not my entire list, sometimes vented to my friends and family, but a lot of the time I shared my concerns and fears with myself. Kind of spoke out loud, and most importantly prayed.

Do you have any favorite movies that always revive your spirit? I don't have one movie in particular, but I'm a huge fan of old classic movies from the 40's-60's. I'm always watching Turner Classic Movies, it reminds me of a time when people were innocent to an extent and dressed in suits and dresses all the time. Women were women, men were men.

Is there a particular genre of music that brings you calm? Christian music mostly. Just reminds me that I'm not alone.

What is the most inspiring book you have ever read? I don't read motivational or inspiring books often. I'm more into girly romance books. However I have read Joel Osteen, Becoming a Better You and I Declare.

Are there any particular exercise routines or practices that you use for grounding? If so, describe how you discovered them. Talking walks without my headphones helps. Sometimes I sit by the river to just observe the water.

Do you meditate? If so, how did you learn and what methods do you use often? I don't actually. I would want to learn how. I've tried before and I just can't shut my brain off.

What’s your favorite motivational YouTube or Netflix video? Sprinkle of Jesus (watch below.)

Who is the most inspirational person you have ever met, and what did they reveal to you that never left you? I don't have one person in particular, but I volunteer often and I've had the pleasure of meeting many women who have been in very challenging living situations and have overcome those times despite not having much. I also admire people who realize that their current situation is just temporary and work towards changing their futures.

Follow@Mymissionlane on Instagram @missionlane on Twitter, and shop their website! 

If you would like to collab with or contact Kathy:  Kathy@mymissionlane.com

Written by Katie Girouard.