Spreading the Spark
a conversation with Esther Ware
Hey guys! This month, we have another special guest to interrogate! I mean, interview. Esther Ware is a writer and entrepreneur from Great Britain. She has written several books, her most recent being Unafraid Unashamed Unstoppable. This is a nonfiction study for young believers searching for their calling in life. She also runs her own publishing company, North Bound Books, as well as Exodus Entrepreneurs, which is focused on equipping young Christians to start businesses. We’re most interested to hear about Exodus Entrepreneurs, what they do, and why.
What motivated you to start Exodus Entrepreneurs?
Thank you so much for having me! So, Exodus Entrepreneurs literally came from right out of the blue one morning! I’ve always been super passionate about starting businesses and studying ways to make money as well as helping other teens do the same thing themselves, so when I had the idea to create a community where teens and young people could find inspiration and learn how to turn their dreams into reality, it just seemed right!
What sorts of resources do you have to help young Christians set up their businesses?
Our main resource currently is the Exodus Entrepreneurs podcast (available on Youtube, Substack, Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music). This is where we share inspiring interviews with other entrepreneurs and personal takes on our own experiences starting a business.
Do you have a team you work with, or do you run this organization by yourself?
It’s pretty much just me and Jesus at the moment, although friends and family have some input too—I’m praying that as we grow and expand, we can offer both voluntary and paid positions for a team in the future!
What kinds of businesses have you helped coach people into getting off the ground?
We’re still in the early stages, but so far we’ve mostly been focusing on sharing how we’ve been getting our own businesses off the ground—although we’ve also helped lots of people, both young and old, with advice and support when it comes to different aspects of business building (such as setting up websites, branding, logos, and social media) as well as just encouraging and helping brainstorm! There’s been a large variety of businesses: from art, crafts, and publishing to businesses revolving around farming and baking.
What’s the number one thing you see people doing wrong when starting a business?
Personally, I’d say the biggest things people do wrong when they start a business are either A) not taking the business seriously enough, B) not defining the goals they actually have for the business long-term, or C) not spending enough time/money on their branding and logo design. These are all things we seek to help young people nail when they start a business!
What do you hope to achieve with Exodus Entrepreneurs?
My prayer with Exodus Entrepreneurs is that the Lord will use us to inspire a generation of young people who are stepping into a role of godly business leading by being an inspiration and an encouragement.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give young people starting a business?
Can I break the rules and give three?!
Firstly, and most importantly, ask the Lord what He’d like you to do in your business! Walking alongside the Holy Spirit in your business is so fruitful and just such a precious experience. Ask Jesus what He would like to do, and watch the fruit that will appear!
Secondly, do not compare your business to someone else’s. Everyone starts somewhere, and comparing your business to someone else’s is both a waste of time and painful! I think it can be so tough with social media and seeing other businesses go from zero to thousands overnight. We often see that kind of overnight success all over the place. I often struggle with comparing my own businesses to the ones that “blow up” overnight, but I think the reality is that the world doesn’t measure success in the correct way. The only measure or comparison you should ever be comparing yourself or your business to is God’s plans and purposes for you!
And lastly, have courage to step out and start your business. Have fun with it! Enjoy it! And believe that if this is something the Lord’s calling you to do, it will be fruitful, even if the path to the fruit looks different from what you might think.
What have you personally learned through the time and experiences you’ve had with Exodus Entrepreneurs?
So so much! I’ve started enough businesses on a whim now to know the basics—branding, social media, logo design, website design—but Exodus Entrepreneurs is different. Through my time so far, God’s taught me about what true success looks like. He’s also shown me more about my passion to see young people equipped into the calling they’ve been given, and of course, every time I start a new business, I learn so much about what I’m capable of doing alongside the Holy Spirit. I believe this is just the beginning of the journey, and I can’t wait to see what God does next!
Now, on to Esther’s books!
So, you just released a new book—what’s it about? And what motivated you to write it?
Yes! Back in April I released my second book through my publishing company (www.northboundbooks.co.uk). This book is my first non-fiction, and I have to say, it’s not one I ever envisioned writing. Back in September 2025, I published my first book (a poetry collection called At the Foot of The Cross) after I very strongly felt the Lord asking me to publish it. On the day of publication, that evening I was sitting in bed journaling and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me these three words: “Unafraid, Unashamed, Unstoppable.” I immediately knew they were about young people—I felt like God was asking me to write a book about how to become Unafraid Unashamed Unstoppable in the Calling that God has given to them. The next day I sat down with a new Word document, and the words just began to flow! I looked up four hours later, and the entire book was finished. It was the most crazy, surreal experience I’d had in a long time. So yeah, that’s how it was written!
What kind of person would you recommend this book to?
This book says it’s for young people, because that’s the age group I felt to write it for, but honestly it’s not just for young people. It’s for anyone who wants to discover more about what God has for them. It’s for anyone who’s ready to take their next step in their walk with Jesus and discover what He’s made them to do.
What is your favorite part about writing and publishing books like this one?
I love all of it (even if I might complain about the editing! XD). Honestly, I do love all of it—especially the cover design and actual drafting process. However, seeing it on other people’s shelves and seeing people be transformed through it—that’s the most encouraging, humbling feeling. I feel so blessed that the Lord has trusted me with this message!
What’s the hardest part about writing and publishing books like this one?
I think each book comes with its own individual challenges and hard parts. For this book it was pretty smooth sailing, but there was one issue that kept cropping up…. Whilst I was writing and editing the book, I kept feeling so inadequate. I mean, we’re all inadequate of God’s grace, but I was really feeling under-qualified—after all, I was only fifteen when I wrote the book. I remember asking the Lord why He didn’t choose an adult or a qualified youth leader to write the book. But as I kept bringing my fear of being underqualified to the Lord, He kept reminding me that sometimes He isn’t asking for qualified—He’s asking for willing. So I chose to be willing, and this book is a product of that choice!
And a few fun questions to round it out!
What’s your favorite Bible passage/verse/story and why?
That’s such a hard one! I generally find myself rotating all the time on Bible passages! Lately, I’ve been dipping between Isaiah 61 and 2 Chronicles, but I always have 1 Timothy 4:12 at hand too!
Do you have a favorite song that has a personal or deep meaning you’d be willing to share? (Specifically one you’d love to hear more people listening to.)
Gah! This is a really tough one! I rotate songs all the time too! Most of the time it fluctuates depending on which of my WIPs I’m working on… recently I’ve been listening to “Running to a Runaway” and “1000 Names” by Phil Wickham.
Who is someone who’s really helped you with your organization and writing that you’d like to shout out?
Of course, Jesus! None of my businesses (or me!) would be here without Him… and also my parents for being so supportive!
We hope this interview inspired you to pursue the calling God has placed on your heart, whether that involves starting a business or something else. If you are interested in starting a business, please be sure to check out the Exodus Entrepreneurs Substack for additional inspiration!