From Ministry to Mattresses: Steve Van Diest's Journey of Faith and Redemption

Welcome to another episode of Holy Smokes. In this episode, our host, Steve Reiter, sits down with a very special guest, Steve Van Diest. Steve opens up about his journey from ministry to joining a missional order called Project Revive. He shares the challenges he faced when 60% of his donors left him after making the shift. He tells us how he infused kingdom principles into the mattress retail industry and transformed it by focusing on loving and caring for employees, as well as hiring refugees and felons. We also dive into the sleazy reputation of the mattress retail industry and how Steve Van Diest is changing the game.

Steve Van Diest recounts his personal struggles, including a breakdown in his business partnership. He opens up about his experience with COVID-19 and the impact it had on his family, as well as the challenging topic of divorce that surfaced during a dinner conversation. But amidst the hardships, Steve and his wife share how the gospel transformed their lives and their perspective on marriage.

We also have an exciting discussion about Acumen, a community for business owners looking to grow their businesses without sacrificing their family life. Steve Van Diest and his wife coach couples through a marriage course and emphasize the importance of women having dreams and achieving them.

Join us as we delve into the inspiring and transformative journey of Steve Van Diest. He shares his experiences, his faith, and how Holy Smokes played a significant role in his spiritual growth. Don't forget to check out Holy Smokes gear on our website, and stay tuned for an episode filled with laughter, introspection, and a whole lot of holy smoke!

Outline

04:19 Convenient drive-through grocery with teenagers.
07:28 Unexpected encounter at Billy Graham event.
15:26 Feeling called to Mexico City, leaving successful job.
16:10 Canceled meeting, flipped ministry, left in 2006. Pregnant. Fight. She left. Collapsed. Called friend.
24:20 Raised funds, moved to Mexico City, no prayers.
30:56 Bakke Graduate University: Impacting cities through education.
32:22 Freedom to love, hire and succeed in business.
39:12 Letting go after counseling, finding inner strength.
46:36 Former GM starts nonprofit to employ marginalized.
50:44 He made changes, documented, and had a vision for transformation.
55:43 Parenting with brokenness; children need grace.
01:00:32 Front range, business owners with $2M+ revenue, 10+ employees, seeking a supportive community for growth without sacrificing personal life.
01:08:00 Four years sober, selling store, growing company.
01:12:08 Memorable cigar experience: Brazilian party with Sama girls.
01:17:53 Grief getaway leads to unforgettable street tacos.
01:23:13 Lion, leadership, tattooed woman, tenderness in eyes.
01:25:52 Son's concern over dad's smoking habits.