Meet Anaelle Auguste of Arise and Amplify

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anaelle Auguste.

Hi Anaelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name, Anaelle, means “God has favored me.” It is so funny how we sometimes seek for things to define us without realizing who we already are. My story started when I got the revelation about my own identity. It wasn’t through a subtle realization, or even a fancy lecture but through the most devasting experience of my life. While everyone around me was waiting for me to have a boyfriend, I was 24 years old and single. My original plan was to get married at 26 after I graduated from nursing school. I wanted to be loved and “favored” yet I felt like my life was not going according to my plans and some even said something was wrong with me, that I was running out of time. They said I’d grow old alone, I was insignificant, incomplete because I didn’t have a partner or even had been in a serious relationship at my age. So, when I met my ex at 24, I felt that he was right on time: we would be together for two years, then get married. Nothing was wrong with my plan; it seemed almost perfect even, except for one BIG problem. This man was ALREADY married. Needless to say, I was completely crushed and devastated. I had so many questions fighting each other in my mind “Who does that?” “Why would anyone do that?” “Why me?” I was confused, lost, and heartbroken.

I used to hear the saying “everything happens for a reason” and the verse, “God works everything for good for those who love Him.” After weeks of sorrow, my question shifted from “Why me?” to “How can I use this for my good?” When I got the idea to write a book, I felt inadequate, unqualified, and unprepared. I did not think I had anything worth sharing. I also started to wonder how would I possibly have enough content for a whole book. However, I was determined to start somewhere and the first story that came to mind was that heartbreak. I was sure that I was not the only woman who had experienced such a heartbreak of being played by a married man. I knew how ashamed I was, how I felt like a fool for not noticing the signs and I surely did not want people to know about it. I was afraid they would blame me because even I blamed myself for “letting him hurt me.”

As reserved as I am, I built the courage to let others who’ve had a similar experience as I did know that it’s not their fault. I advised them to let go of self-blame and forgive themselves. I wanted to let them know that they are not alone and don’t have to stay in the victim’s corner or let their experience define them. I realized that choosing to put my story out there was a way to let others know that they can rise above their circumstances and use what was meant to break them to build them up. I also encourage women NOT to settle for ungodly, unhealthy relationships out of fear of being alone or because of other people’s standards for what their lives should look like.

Out of the mess, something beautiful was born, my debut book Single, Saved, and Content: Finding Contentment in Singleness while Awaiting God’s Best for Marriage. I honestly thought I was just publishing a book, but that was only a catalyst! I started doing lives on Facebook and many women from different parts of the world were reaching out to me to tell me about experiences they’d never shared with anyone else before. I’ve been feeling humbled and privileged to have inspired and empowered those women. I found fulfillment and purpose in my pain and now realized that the incident did not happen TO me, but it happened FOR me: so that I could step into my purpose! I held my first Single, Saved, and Content retreat on my birthday in August 2021. It was an amazing, mind blown experience where many lives were touched. I was so determined to pursue my purpose, I got a life coach certification and enrolled in a premium speaking and coaching program to be mentored by the best mentors: Marshawn Evans and Jack Daniels. Now I own a personal development agency, Arise & Amplify L.L.C, that offers coaching, courses, events, speaking engagements, and more to help others tap into their true identity, build their confidence and live on purpose.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path to our purpose is never smooth, there may be some things that come with ease, but it’s a mixture of ups and downs. I was stepping into the unknown by self-publishing my first book and getting into coaching. That was an unconventional, non-traditional path. There were many curveballs as I went through the process, so many sleepless nights, and the lack of support from people who did not understand my “why.” I had to make some uncomfortable and hard choices. I’d heard others bluntly saying that they did not believe in my vision; there were tensions in some of my relationships, some said they did not understand me, but I had to choose between pleasing others (meeting their expectations of me) and my purpose (whom I was created to be). I was a first-time author who also wanted to host a retreat with no experience, guidance, and very little help. I also fought some internal battles. If I am being honest, there were days that part of me agreed with those who did not believe in me. However, I pushed through despite self-doubt and fear, both fear of failure AND fear of success.

We’ve been impressed with ARISE and Amplify LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One of my favorite words this year is “arise,” as it means to get up/stand up which means someone is going to an elevated position. When I wanted to start a personal development company, I wanted the name to capture my brand vision. ARISE is my brand name which is actually an acronym. ARISE stands for Align, Reinvent, Innovate, Shine, & Elevate. We help women tap into whom they were created to be, build their confidence and live out to their full potential. We empower those who are single to shine and not to dim their light or downgrade by fear that potential husbands will be intimidated by their success.

I realized a gap in our culture, as much as women fight for equality, there is this faulty teaching (though it may be well-intended) that causes women to stay at the bottom or where it is comfortable. That is especially true for those who are single, many loved ones may advise them to play it safe until they are married, “Don’t buy a house yet” “Don’t get your Ph.D. yet.” We are taught not to be too aggressive, ambitious, and visionary because men are not attracted to such women and might be intimidated by our success.

Right before publishing my book, I heard Steve Harvey addressing that myth. I want single women to know that they don’t have to downplay their gifts and abilities, but for them to rise, elevate, and shine unapologetically, not pridefully, but yes without being sorry.

I am so happy and humbled that although my business is still in the starting phase, I am already making an impact and having women in places like Nigeria, South Africa, and Eswatini connecting with me and being mentored. I am so excited about the many years to come!

I offer courses for groups or one-on-one coaching services on self-love, identity, purpose, and confidence to women regardless of relationship status, speaking engagements to women events, and host my own events.

What’s next?
I am working on growing Arise & Amplify L.L.C. and I am really excited about it! I will be scheduling more speaking engagements and live events such as iRISE retreat which will be open to all women and Single, Saved, and Content retreats for singles only. I plan on working at Arise and Amplify full-time so I can focus on expanding this vision! Also, I will publish a Single, Saved, and Content devotional journal to help those who have gotten the book to continue working on themselves and build their confidence by reflecting on journal prompts, daily prayers, and declarations.

Contact Info:

• Email: anaelleauguste7@gmail.com
• Website: anaelleauguste.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anaelleauguste17/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.a.auguste
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anaelle+auguste
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/anaelleauguste17