The Accidental Entrepreneur: Faith, Purpose & the Calling Behind Brighter View Foundation

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful and faith-centered episode of Be Visible with Veronica, I sit down with Shantoya Nicole Thomas, a 20+ year entrepreneur whose journey into business and ultimately nonprofit leadership, was anything but planned. Learn how a practical decision in college to “make ends meet” by babysitting while studying health care administration quietly unfolded into a lifelong calling to serve. From child care centers to foster care, home health, and supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities, her path consistently pointed toward service — even when she tried to resist it. But the true turning point came through motherhood. As a mother to a child with developmental delays, Shantoya found herself needing something the system couldn’t fully provide: time, flexibility, and support for families who give endlessly while caring for others. Entrepreneurship became not a choice, but a necessity. From that realization, Brighter View Foundation was born. In one of the most memorable moments of the episode, Shantoya shares how God’s calling became impossible to ignore through an unexpected (and unforgettable) encounter with a hummingbird that forced her to stop hiding and say yes. What followed was swift... and worth a listen. This conversation is a testament to: trusting the call even when it feels inconvenient embracing purpose through service and discovering that what you once said “no” to… may be exactly what you were created for What You’ll Learn in This Episode What an “accidental” entrepreneurial journey really looks like Why what you don’t want to do often reveals your true calling The gap in care for families supporting loved ones with special needs The courage it takes to become visible again after past failures Why saying yes to God can change everything About Brighter View Foundation Brighter View Foundation exists to support not only individuals receiving care but the families and caregivers who give so much of themselves every day. Born from lived experience, the foundation focuses on bridging gaps in support, resources, and community for families navigating special needs, disability care, and long-term service systems. Visit their website here. https://brighterviewfoundation.org/website_38357eae/ #BeVisibleWithVeronica #AccidentalEntrepreneur #FaithAndPurpose #NonprofitLeadership #BrighterViewFoundation #WomenOfFaith #PurposeDrivenLife #EntrepreneurJourney #VisibilityWithHeart #ServingWithLove