My Beloved Women 4 | Teaching Single Women How to Use the Business Communal Living Model to Build Their Social and Economic Empires

Greetings Beloved,

Welcome to the 4th lesson in the My Beloved Women Blog Series.

I am Felecia Killings, Founder and CEO of The Felecia Killings Foundation. Our mission is to help women like you build social, political, and economic empires based on Kingdom principles. In addition, my purpose is to encourage you to use your gifts to build national platforms that will impact millions.

You, Beloved, have something to offer the world; and with my training, I will teach you how to manifest your greatness in this new decade.

In this next lesson, I want to teach single women (especially single mothers) how to create social and economic empires using an unconventional strategy. I came across this method back in 2015 right after leaving a tumultuous relationship.

I had recently defeated a criminal case that practically destroyed my life. I was a new mother without steady employment. My teaching career was in shambles, and my family simply was not as supportive as I needed.

My mental health was a wreck. I had no home of my own. And I had to care for a toddler without traditional support.

To put it simply: I hit rock bottom. And while I had every reason to quit, the Holy Spirit remained faithful to His promise: "I will never leave you or forsake you."

At that time, I searched for a program that assisted single mothers in transition. Unfortunately, I could not find what I truly needed, which was a low-cost housing situation immediately. I tried using government assistance, but the wait list was too long. In addition, I needed traditional work, but struggled on that front because childcare cost just as much as rent.

So, rather than using the systems presented to me, I moved in a different direction.

I created a new system, one that allowed me to work from home while living among other single mothers or families, and one that allowed me to homeschool my daughter.

I developed a business communal living program back in California, and I shared this model with other single women in the area.

Together, we pulled our resources to create an empowering experience. We supported each one's endeavors, and over time, I built a community of women who helped take care of my daughter.

Today, this business communal living model is packaged in my award-winning program, KillingsVille Communal Living, which has expanded in Atlanta, GA. And you, Beloved, can replicate this model for your own social and economic empire right where you are.

​So, join me for another empowering lesson. In this teaching, you will learn about:

• The communal living model
• How The Foundation redefines communal living for single mothers
• Why Millennial single women benefit profoundly from the communal living model
• How to create your own communal living community, starting now
• How you can enroll in KillingsVille Communal Living and be empowered with women just like you

​Now, let's get started!

What is Communal Living?

When I first came across "communal living," I imagined folks living the hippie lifestyle. You know, where we see people wandering freely in the middle of nowhere, with no shoes, dirty bodies, and strange foods.

Perhaps you thought the same when you saw the phrase, but that isn't what this living model is about.

Communal living is simply intentional living. It emerges when like-minded people form communities around common goals and ambitions. 

In our consumer-obsessed economy, we've grown accustomed to individual living. We purchase massive houses while only living in small quarters (i.e. our rooms). We work long hours to afford bills that stress out. We do everything in our power to impress the "Jones" when the Jones don't even know we exist.

This has become our American culture; and for many of us, especially single mothers, this lifestyle has proven problematic because it's so expensive. There is no joy in stressing about what to eat, where to live, or how to pay the bills.

Surely, there must be more to this life, and there is!

Communal living, which focuses on human connections and interactions, relies on individuals to contribute their gifts, talents, skills, and resources to help the selective collective. In other words, forming communities are based on common traits, common goals, or common desires.

We see examples of communal living in colleges, retirement homes, and in other communities. The purpose is to bring people together so folks no longer feel the weight of the world alone.

There are several benefits for communal living:

• Individuals experience mutual support.
• Individuals learn to socialize in healthy, controlled environments.
• Individuals voluntarily contribute to the overall community.
• Individuals who are struggling will find financial, spiritual, and emotional support.
• Individuals who are far from blood relatives can form new connections.
• Individuals find connections among people who think and believe as they do.

​While communal living is not a choice for most Americans, it is a viable option for single women and single mothers, because it has the power to help them build social and economic empires.

Building Together to Reach Your Goals More Quickly

In the first lesson of this Series, I taught you about the importance of building social, political, and economic empires in this new decade.

God's daughters have a significant part to play in this great Kingdom work. But when women do not have a spouse to financially care for them or partner with them, it becomes difficult to fulfill their God-given purpose.

I remember back in 2016, the Holy Spirit asked me to launch a virtual ministry, a story I chronicle in my book, To My Beloveds. Naturally, because I was used to traditional work, I assumed He would give me a full-time job and I would work on His project part-time.

After all, I was a newly single mother who had a toddler to care for.

I could not see myself committing to His calling 100% on my small income.

At times, single women find themselves in this same predicament. How do they fulfill their purpose while they have other obligations that require their full attention? How can a single mother like me work on God's assignment, which does not have a set salary?!?

Ever so gracious in His wisdom and favor towards me, the Holy Spirit opened a door for me to experience what I labeled the business communal living situation. This opportunity positioned me to work full-time in "His vineyard" while daily meeting my needs as a single mom.

With my small income, I rented private quarters in a brand new home in California. Because it was a family community, I was surrounded by other mothers who fell in love with me and Aaliyah. The safety gave me peace of mind. And because my rent was so low, I didn't have to work outside the home as often.

Instead, I invested my time in building my freelance business and working on the virtual ministry.

All my financial needs were met every month. In fact, I learned to live well on a $15,000-$20,000/year income. The financial freedom I experienced then allowed me to work on God's assignment full-time. 

And this assignment has now brought my name and virtual ministry to the national forefront.

Surrounding myself with women who supported my vision and mission was crucial.

Not only was my social empire empowered, but also my economic one.

​I smoothly transitioned from traditional work into full-time virtual ministry. I invested more time in my daughter's homeschooling. And I felt confident in myself once again, despite all the hell I encountered. Building together with other women in one setting empowered me to reach my goals faster than working alone.

How The Foundation is Redefining the Communal Living Lifestyle

While many people imagine communal living to be a "cult-like" environment, The Felecia Killings Foundation is changing this perception.

Communal Living can take the form of whatever a creator imagines. You can build a communal living environment based on common interests like art. Or you can form one based on age, rites of passage, or anything that unites a people group.

At The Foundation, however, we've launched a coaching community program that specifically empowers single mothers via online business development. KillingsVille Communal Living provides a powerful, supportive network for single mothers who want a fresh start. Instead of simply having the women live together in one place, we deliver educational training that helps each one build an online business or virtual ministry.

In addition, we provide virtual career development that helps single mothers acquire at-home work, including full-time jobs with benefits.

We are teaching single mothers how to build economic empires via this business and housing model, because we believe women can grow faster together.

Since launching the idea on social media, particularly Twitter, we've seen tremendous support. My Beloved audience has faithfully promoted the program on their platforms to help spread word. 

KillingsVille uses the room-rental model because we want single mothers to receive affordable housing. By securing private quarters in a large house, this helps offset the costs of living. Lower rent plus communal support position each mother to save income that will help them once they leave the program.

And I couldn't be more excited about the work we will do in this new decade. Over the next 10 years, we aim to empower 500 single mothers, managing 100 homes.

By 2030, we will purchase land in Georgia where we will build tiny homes for our clients. KillingsVille, GA will also house our award-winning school, LiyahAmore University, and a primary school for Girl Creatives called LiyahAmore K-12.

Our mission is to provide a transitional program for single mothers who have hit rock bottom. Whether due to divorce, job loss, national crisis, or domestic violence, we will be the program that women need to pivot smoothly into their greatness.

Why We've Chosen Millennial Single Mothers for Our Target Market

In truth, anyone can create a communal living environment. But with KillingsVille, we are focused primarily on millennial single mothers.

We recognize this demographic has unique experiences and challenges. Therefore, our business communal living program will meet their needs specifically. 

According to research:
​

• Millennial women are more likely to live with parents (due to increased student debt, high rent prices, and other issues).
• Millennial women are 3xs more likely to have never married, despite their desire for suitable mates.
• Millennial women mostly live in metro areas where the high-cost of living often prevent them from building wealth.
• Millennial women accumulated less wealth than previous generations, despite generating on average $56,000/year.
• Millennial women often struggle balancing career advancements with parenting responsibilities, even though such mothers want to be active in their child's life.
• Millennial women spend more time in the labor force and more money on child care, often making it difficult to get ahead financially.

Because of the challenges millennial women encounter, we have provided a solution for them that helps them boost their income while receiving optimal support.

And while we may serve single mothers who are slightly younger or older than this demographic, our focus remains on Millennial women who are mentally ready for massive increase within a 12-24 month time span.
​

Perhaps You Desire to Build a Communal Living Situation

I realize not every service, program, or product within The Foundation is useful to all readers. We are specific in our target audience; but we also know people come across our platform to find other useful resources.

In the case of communal living, perhaps you desire to build one in your own community. Maybe you want to connect with other women in your area to help alleviate the challenges you face. If so, here are some steps to get started.

1. Determine what your intentional lifestyle will look like. Think about the most ideal scenario for you and how that living environment allows for optimal growth. Perhaps you desire to be a full-time writer or blogger. Where would you want to live and what kind of housing situation is most ideal for this career pathway? How do you envision your surroundings? Record these ideas in a journal.
2. Connect with other women of like-precious faith. Let's use the same example as in #1. Start sharing your ideas and desire for becoming a full-time writer with people online or offline. Notice the folks who respond favorably to your vision. Also pay attention to the people who doubt it. Start building relationships with the ones who have the same passion.
3. Fish for the RIGHT communal house mates. Back in 2016, I put an ad on Craigslist, searching for a single woman who wanted to join my communal living model. I talked about my vision for helping women create economic opportunities, and included information about finding a house where we could flourish together. I received one response from a single woman who was currently experiencing financial hardships, but she had a desire to break free. That woman, Shemica, eventually became my best friend and dear sister. She is now Aaliyah's Godmother. And today, we are both doing well socially and economically because we connected at a time when we both needed communal support. So, as you seek for the right communal mates, be clear in what your ideal situation entails. Place an ad on social media or Craigslist, and make clear your mission. From there, you will find other women willing to work with you.
4. Once you find the RIGHT house mates, come together to decide which type of communal living environment you want. It's important that each member be a part of this initiative. Do you want to rent an apartment, and if so, will each house mate have the proper income and credit to make that happen? Do you want to rent a large house? If so, do you have access to one immediately? Back in California, Shemica and I used Craigslist to find rooms to rent in large houses. This process worked for us because in that state, room rental is a norm. But when Aaliyah and I moved to Atlanta, GA, Craigslist proved futile. The rental laws are different in Georgia. So, to secure better room-tenant protection, I used AirBnb to find the safest, most affordable communal environment for us. In like manner, once you and your mates have determined the type of living you want, consider the multiple resources available to you. Pay attention to room-tenant rights in your state, and make sure your living quarters are in a safe, secure area. (You cannot build social or economic empires when you're worried about your surroundings.)
5. Finally, once you've found your home, start building your individual businesses or careers; and collectively support each other based on what you have. Back home, Shemica had a car and would take us wherever we needed to go because I had no transportation. I contributed back to our communal program by purchasing our monthly groceries, because government assistance provided more than enough food stamps for me and my tiny human. In like manner, you and your house mates will have something to offer the collective. This communal environment ought to provide more than just sharing rent. You are filling voids that help ease the challenges while simultaneously increasing your wealth for the future.

In Conclusion ...

Although women today are living in the best era of their lives, there are numerous challenges facing us. While we can moan and groan about these issues, the better choice is to create our own pathways that lead towards our success.

For single women and single mothers, building community stands among the #1 strategies for self-improvement and economic advancements. And creating a communal living environment is most ideal when you surround yourself with other women who desire exponential growth in record time.

Communal living and women empowerment have become a core part of The Felecia Killings Foundation. Our clients are steadily finding themselves equipped with tools and support to help them meet their needs. Not only do we provide assistance to single mothers via our grocery blessings, but we train women to launch their own businesses, virtual ministries, social media movements, and virtual careers using our award-winning program.

If you or someone you know is looking for a place to call home, connect with The Foundation today. We are always accepting new clients into KillingsVille Communal Living. As a client, you will enter our 12-month or 24-month program, which includes:

1. Affordable housing in one of our communal living quarters
2. Weekly group coaching services focused on spiritual, mental, and financial development
3. Access to My Beloved Women's Ministry, a virtual community that connects women across the nation
4. Homeschooling options for your child
5. And so much more!

To get started or to learn more, complete our KillingsVille Application Form below. I will personally get back to you within 24 hours to schedule a time to chat on the phone. From there, we will discuss our program in details, get the contract to you, and work on your placement within 30 days.

Other than that, Beloved, I bless you. I pray this Empowering Lesson helped you to see how communal living can dramatically benefit women like you.

Until next week, stay blessed!

And as always, let's grow together!

​- Felecia