Obedience Over Opportunity: Steven Pemberton on Faith, Funding, and Startup Success

  In this unforgettable episode of the Profitable Christian Business Podcast, Doug Greathouse sits down with Steven Pemberton, founder of Elevatum Digital and creator of The Capital Sprint, to talk about the intersection of faith, funding, and obedience in today's business world. Steven's journey is one of radical transformation — from burnout and brokenness to building multiple seven-figure businesses with his wife. He shares how faith, trust, and obedience to God's direction shaped not only his entrepreneurial success but his definition of it. They unpack how startup funding has changed, why investors now demand traction and clarity, and the mindset shift every founder must make to thrive in this new investment landscape. Steven also opens up about the spiritual side of entrepreneurship — learning that obedience doesn't always equal immediate blessing, and that success defined by faith looks very different from worldly success. If you're an entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, raising capital, or just trying to follow God's voice in your business decisions, this conversation will inspire and challenge you to lead with both strategy and surrender. 🔑 Key Takeaways The era of funding "napkin ideas" is over — traction and clarity matter most. You don't need millions in revenue to attract investors; you need product-market fit. Investors fund people, not just ideas — your story and confidence matter. Early traction, even $2,000/month, can prove your model to investors. Faith-led obedience often leads through valleys before mountain tops. Obedience doesn't always equal blessing — sometimes it equals growth. Build a team and story investors can believe in. True success is helping others and building what lasts eternally. Joy is rooted in presence with God, not in external results. You can serve first and still grow strong businesses God's way. 👉 Learn more about Steven and his work at Elevatum Digital 👉 Connect with Steven: Instagram | LinkedIn