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How Joanna and Chip Gaines Leaned on Each Other’s Strengths in Times of Uncertainty

Photo via Baylor University on YouTube

How Joanna and Chip Gaines Leaned on Each Other’s Strengths in Times of Uncertainty

By Cooper Dowd, Contributing Writer

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ HGTV show FIXER UPPER and their flourishing home decor and lifestyle business, Magnolia, was always a dream for Joanna. However, building their diverse and thriving businesses from the ground up did not come without its challenges.

“It doesn’t change overnight,” Joanna said. “Even though we were, like, ‘We’re in it,’ it didn’t mean that all of a sudden everything was going to be easy and we were going to make it.”

For small businesses today, there is so much uneasiness amid COVID-19 restrictions and precautions. However, the Gaines attribute their success to their no-quit mentality and their trust in God’s will for their life, despite the adversity and uncertainty.

The Gaines remember times of uncertainty when it came to their future.

“[We] would look at each other and just think, ‘How are we going to make it?’ Not seeing the end—not understanding you could actually get through it,” Joanna said.

In a 2015 interview, Joanna recalled the initial hardships while working to fulfill her dreams and how Chip encouraged her along the way.

“He really encouraged me to step out, and make one of those dreams happen,” She said.

Together they opened their first business, Magnolia Market. However, Joanna knew that she could not give the same amount of attention to her two children and the store, so they made the difficult decision to close the store.

“I remember the last day and we are closing the shop down, and I am crying because it feels like an end of a dream…” Joanna said. “Very clearly I hear God say, ‘Joanna if you trust me with your dreams, I am going to take Magnolia further than you ever could’ve dreamed. So just trust Me.'”

After an apparent setback in 2015, Joanna was reminded of Chip’s commitment to never quitting, especially on her dreams.

“Chip and his family have always had this thing that Gaines never quit, so he’d say, ‘Jo, we’re not going to quit, we’re going to make it through this,” Joanna told Us Weekly.

For the Gaines, never quitting meant that there is no “plan B.”

“It’s sort of like the old history lesson about the sailor or the explorer that literally decided to burn their boat so that they understood there’s no plan B, but I really learned that firsthand,” Joanna said.

Their dedication to each other and their faith helped them succeed despite unpredictable times.

“We leaned on each other’s strengths in those moments of weakness where I would typically only see the glass half-empty and Chip would see the glass half-full,” She said.

Joanna remembers the root of her trust was planted early on in her life.

“I remember hearing God say, ‘Joanna, there’s gonna come a time where I’m gonna say for you to go, and I’m gonna need you to step out and go,'” Joanna said.

Since then, the Gaines successfully reopened Magnolia, and it has grown exponentially. Moreover, fall 2020 will bring the Gaines’ new television network MAGNOLIA to your home.

“There is something about the momentum and the thinking of, ‘We’re going to make it through this, and who knows what it’s going to look like on the other side,'” Joanna said. “But the one thing I can say is, when I look back, I’m so thankful. We would have missed this moment. We would have missed a lot if we would have just pivoted and gone in another direction because it was easier.”

Joanna encouraged those struggling to have peace in their dreams: “I think that’s the key, not believing the lies, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and walking in that truth.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


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