Natasha Richards didn’t set out to become a coach for young adult women. Her step of faith was just the beginning of her journey.
In fact, when she first felt the call to attend the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, the former nurse was juggling a full-time job at Walmart with her work as a conference campus ministry liaison. The idea of uprooting her life felt outrageous. But the call persisted — and she answered. “It was not by choice … but there was a point where I just surrendered.”
That step of faith was just the beginning.
While pursuing her Master of Divinity, Natasha began connecting with young women seeking guidance. It wasn’t intentional — it just kept happening. Reflecting on her own struggles as a young adult, she understood why. “Everybody saw my potential,” she says, “but I couldn’t see me at all.” Depression, poor decisions and a lack of practical tools left her searching. Church, counseling and coaching helped, but something was missing: a bridge between spiritual truth and emotional healing.
That knowledge inspired MpoweredMe, a coaching platform born from her earlier event planning business. Through one-on-one sessions, an app, self-guided video courses and affirmation cards, Natasha equips women with emotional intelligence tools grounded in biblical principles. For example, “We often hear, ‘You need to forgive,’ but no one talks about how to get there,” she explains. “I want to give people practical tools on how to apply the Bible to life every day.”
The work is personal. As a mother of two, Natasha sees each client as someone’s daughter — someone who deserves to be seen and heard. “If they ask for help, will somebody be there for them?” She sees MpoweredMe as a resource for these young women as well as for parents wanting to learn how to connect with their children.
Even with a vision, entrepreneurship isn’t easy. From designing business cards to hosting her annual Esther retreat, Natasha has learned that success is a process that demands patience, persistence and faith. “Overnight success doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. But as you take small steps forward, “your gifts will make room for you.”
Natasha feels called to pour into women who feel stuck, lost or unsure of who they are. Through MpoweredMe, she helps clients “heal from [traumatic] experiences and become conquerors,” moving from pain to purpose. “The highlights for me are the intimate moments … where somebody’s life is improved, empowered, because God allowed me to have a conversation with them.” Her journey is a testament to what happens when you step out in faith — not just to find yourself, but to serve others along the way.
Kaara Harris is an assistant professor of journalism and communication at Andrews University.
