Brewed Awakenings: A Startup Business Journey

Welcome to the first edition of Coffee, Laughs and Chats Business Series. Today, we are diving into Brewed Awakenings: A Startup Business Journey. An adventure that is sometimes bold, sometimes bittersweet, but always best when shared over a good cup of coffee. 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jasmine Coit, founder of Live in Training University LLC a.k.a. LIT University. Whether you are ready to “live the dream” of owning a business, currently hoping to build your own empire, or considering a new chapter, this edition will not disappoint. Expect real talk about startup stumbles, caffeine-fueled moments and those “did that really just happen” experiences that prove entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.  

Today, we're discussing Jasmine's path. Keep in mind that what works for one entrepreneur may not work for another. Starting a business is rarely a straightforward path. For Jasmine, her adventure began not with a perfect plan, but with a desire to solve a real problem and a willingness to learn along the way. “Forget the business plan, my best ideas come to me in the shower or at the gym,” Jasmine laughs. “You have to stay open to those ‘aha!’ moments, because inspiration doesn’t care about your calendar." 

Jasmine's ability to pivot was tested when her son began acting out in school. It was not exactly a highlight moment for the mom scrapbook. At the time, Jasmine was already stretched thin, juggling a full-time job, two children, and the everyday responsibilities of life. This felt like the last thing she needed. Frustrated and out of answers, she requested a meeting with her son’s school principal. What she expected to be a difficult conversation became an eye-opening one. The principal reassured her that her son was not alone and that many children were navigating similar challenges, particularly around sitting still, focusing, and sustaining attention in today’s learning environments. What initially felt like a parental failure revealed a broader pattern. It wasn’t that her son was bad. It was that he, and many children like him, were built different. 

"They’re not bad. They’re built different!" That realization marked a turning point. It became the foundation for Jasmine’s program, Bridging the Gap, and the message at the heart of her work. What Jasmine had once seen as a problem was no longer a failure, it was a gap. Inside that gap was an invitation. Through prayer and reflection, she began to sense that God was asking her to respond differently, not just to fix a situation, but to learn from it and steward it. Rather than settling for a quick fix, Jasmine felt led to look deeper and address the root of what was happening, not just the behavior itself. She began to notice that her son’s challenges reflected larger patterns many families were facing, including increased screen exposure, the lingering effects of the COVID years, and the constant pace and pressure of modern family life.

Wanting to move with wisdom instead of frustration, she turned to both Scripture and research. As God renewed her perspective, she also dove into studying childhood behavior, common patterns, and practical strategies that support meaningful, lasting change. What began as a personal journey of obedience slowly became clearer as a calling. Drawing from that research and her background in leadership and corporate training, Jasmine created Bridging the Gap, a six-part program designed to help adults better understand today’s children and respond with clarity and compassion. The program includes guided conversations, actionable strategies, and practical tools parents and educators can actually use.

As our conversation unfolded, Jasmine was candid about the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship. The idea of starting a business stirred up a whirlwind of fear, self-doubt, hope, excitement, and paralyzing uncertainty. She shared that she had attempted to launch LIT University a year earlier but ultimately realized she wasn’t emotionally ready. With time and reflection, Jasmine came to understand that mental readiness was her true startup capital. It was the foundation she needed before she could move forward. She openly admitted she had no idea what to expect. Like many first-time founders, she initially imagined entrepreneurship would mean flexibility, freedom, instant cash flow and doing meaningful work on her own terms. Reality soon set in when she noticed the day-to-day didn’t quite match the dream (before she finished the thought, we were both nodding and laughing at what could only be described as a rude, or better yet, a “brewed” awakening).

The shared laughter marked a shift in the conversation. What started as a lighthearted reflection gave way to a deeper understanding of success and what it actually requires. For Jasmine, success looks different in different seasons. Some seasons feel quiet and even silent. Others, loud and clear. Building a business is not glamorous. Real life comes with real pressure. Bills are still due. Household chores are still there. The stress of health scares, family issues, and everyday challenges still exist long before the work begins. Learning how to build from the ground up while navigating the daily cares of life is what Jasmine considers true success, in every season. Jasmine adds having a great support system is vital. Guidance from mentors, a cheering community, and deep faith, all play a crucial role in her success story.

"I have found that opportunities are everywhere", she explains, "but because they are often disguised as obstacles, we simply do not recognize them." She points to LIT University as a clear example, explaining that it did not start as a business plan, but as a faith response to a personal, exhausting, and painfully close-to-home problem, one that reflected a deeper struggle she had battled for years. As someone who has lived much of her adult life as a self-reliant single parent, Jasmine learned early how to “figure it out” on her own. The process was messy. It meant carrying responsibility and lacking resources while still moving forward, often feeling overwhelmed and under supported. Solutions were rarely quick or clean. They were hard-won, took time, and were shaped by trial, error, failure, and recovery, much like the reality of running a business. "Entrepreneurship," Jasmine says, "is like opening a door to a room you didn’t know existed. The journey is unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming, but you have to learn to embrace the unexpected." Today, her work supports educators, nonprofit teams, community leaders, parents, and families, equipping them with practical tools to build clarity, confidence, and capacity, while staying rooted in faith. 

Jasmine emphasizes that the learning process is ongoing and shaped by daily choices. “Training isn’t one and done,” she explains. “Every day is training day.” The name Live in Training, often referred to as LIT, also carries cultural and spiritual meaning. For Jasmine, “LIT” represents energy, momentum, and activation, but it also reflects a life illuminated and guided by Christ. Learning should feel alive, grounded, and purposeful. That connection was intentional. Ultimately, what started as a response to a situation in her own home became a response to God’s leading. Having spent much of her life figuring things out on her own, Jasmine became passionate about helping others avoid having to carry that same weight alone. “I truly believe God called me to this,” she shares. “This isn’t something I’m building apart from Him. He’s walking me through it every step of the way. There is no Live in Training without Christ.”

When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about starting a business, Jasmine keeps it honest. “I’m still learning,” she says, “but I’ve learned that obedience matters more than perfection, and faith matters more than speed.” The lessons she shares are simple and lived:

1. Start where you are. Take the next step and trust God with the rest.
2. Build from who you are. Your story, beliefs, values, and calling. Your brand is YOU.
3. Create a website as a landing page (there is no shame is using a free website builder to start).
4. Build a business social media presence.
5. Register your business through the Secretary of State.
6. Track your progress using a simple spreadsheet. 
7. Network with other professional leaders.
8. Don’t let money be the driver. Provision follows obedience, not the other way around.
9. Be wise with what you have. Steward your resources with care.
10. Stay teachable. Growth comes through learning, adjusting, and trusting God daily.

For Jasmine, entrepreneurship is not about having all the answers. It’s about walking faithfully, learning openly, and responding to God in real time. In her words, “That’s the point. We "live in training.”

If you would like to learn more about Live in Training University LLC (LIT University), connect with Jasmine Coit via Facebook and LinkedIN and stay tuned for more updates!