Meet Monica Burnett | Owner, Mon Christian Gifts & Founder, Mon Ministries

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Burnett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson that my business has taught me is that qualifications alone do not determine success. Often, we find ourselves hesitating to pursue a certain path because we feel our skills and experiences fall short of some imagined checklist. However, the truth is that we are already equipped with all we need to fulfill our purpose in this world.

Take my own story, for instance. Despite never having worked in retail, I now proudly own a Christian Gift Store that sits between retail giants like Macy’s and the Apple store. God will never set us up to fail when the calling is from Him so when we know that we have been called to something, no matter how scary, we need to move into it with trust and zero hesitation.

Timing is important. We don’t want to miss the mark because our past is trying to dictate our future. It takes courage to proclaim that we can do it, despite what the world may say. When I take full responsibility for where I am in the moment, it gives me the opportunity to decide to move out of my current situation and into the bigger and better that God has for me to be His light in the world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
This business journey began unexpectedly, as the concept of opening a retail store was never part of my initial plans. Juggling the responsibilities of raising eight children, including two sets of twins, alongside managing an online coaching business and being a wife was already a full plate. However, everything changed when I received a divine calling.

It was a moment of clarity when the Lord revealed that not everyone would go into the four-walled church, but they would go to the mall and He wanted to meet them where they were. After discussions with my husband, we understood that obedience to this calling outweighed any personal reservations about our lack of qualifications never having worked in retail.

With divine favor, we secured a prime location between Macy’s and the Apple Store in the Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, totaling 5,500 square feet of retail space. Despite our lack of retail experience, we were driven by a vision that extended beyond just commerce. I can remember the day that my husband said to me, “If this ever turns into a business, I’m out!” We have known from day one that this place was special and would not be run like most businesses.

Alongside offering Christian jewelry, apparel, home decor, and books, we designated a Living Room area for community gatherings, including weekly Bible studies, worship sessions, and prayer nights.

Over the course of two years, our store evolved into more than just a retail outlet; it became a thriving community hub. Attendees of our events formed deep friendships, and even mall employees have found refuge in our Living Room area during breaks. Because the Crabtree Valley Mall is a destination mall, people have come from all corners of the globe and have found peace and inspiration within our walls. Many have said that they will never be the same, with tears in their eyes.

A standout feature of our store is the prayer wall, adorned with nearly four thousand prayers on sticky notes. Each night, our team faithfully intercedes for these requests, witnessing countless answered prayers and transformative testimonies. From breaking addictions to igniting a new relationship with Jesus Christ, we’ve seen lives transformed through the power of prayer and community.

Over the last two years I’ve come to cherish the “place of the unknown” as my safest place to be. It’s where I’ve witnessed God’s intervention beyond my comprehension. Every time I have felt “stuck” because of my lack of experience, someone has inevitably walked through the door with the answer. As a business owner there is a tendency to control situations in order to feel safe and secure. Over the years I have found a better way to feel safe summarized in one word: surrender. God’s plan and vision will always transcend my human limitations.

Because I decided to surrender my dream and take up God’s dream, I have been witness to so many amazing experiences that my next step will be to put them all in a book. They are a testament to a God who pursues the ones that He loves. I can’t deny it because I see it happen every day. My favorite words from people coming into the store are, “I don’t even know how I got here! I was going somewhere else!” or “Peace met me at the door.” All I can do is laugh and know that God has a special reason for them to be in our space. It’s always a breakthrough moment for them and our team.

People ask me all the time what Mon means when they look at our store logo. It has two meanings. First, Mon is my nickname, short for Monica. Second, I was prompted to look up the meaning of the individual letters in the Greek and Hebrew. I saw that the M was Kingship, Dominion, and Wisdom. The O was Obedience and His Presence, and N was Humility, Faithfulness. and Action. It was exactly what this space represented and I know that there are no coincidences when it comes to anything concerning the store.

This is the best job I have ever had! I never know what to expect every day, but I do know it will be good because people will be touched, tears will flow (I think I spend more on Kleenex than anything else), and joy will be restored even in the middle of the most dire experiences. We have had people come in who have just lost spouses or parents, they have just found out that they have cancer, or have lost their job. It is an honor to stand in the gap for them in such vulnerable moments. We are the body of Christ. People need to know that they are loved and that they have someone cheering them on to live the life they were created for.

My family has forever been transformed because what has happened here. My kids expect to hear stories and testimonies every day about how God moved in the life of someone who walked in. That is very different from just reading a bible story. They are living in the middle of a huge move of God in the most unlikely place.

In our corner of the mall, we stand as frontline warriors of faith, reminding all who enter that they are loved and they can be strong and courageous in the most difficult times of life. If they want to, they can also buy a gift to remind them of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
These are some of my favorite places that I would take my friend.

-Dorthea Dix Park
-Morgan Street Food Hall
-Crazy Axe on Capital
-The Alamo or Cinnebistro (for a dine in movie experience)
-Pullen Park for their iconic and historic Carousel
-North Hills Mall and Crabtree Mall
-downtown science museum
-downtown history museum
-art museum by NC state
– Explore the Duke University campus, including the stunning Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
-Have brunch at Beasley’s Chicken + Honey for a hearty Southern meal.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my husband, my 8 children, my inner circle besties, and my church for being the foundation that I have been able to stand on to accomplish everything that I have been called to up to this point. The encouragement, accountability, prayers, and back up through the thick and thin are priceless and I will be forever grateful for your love and support.

Website: https://monchristiangifts.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mon.christiangifts/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mperezburnett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mon.christiangifts

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzdKsrvZ__RBh1I_RBJh7wQ

Other: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mon-talks-using-the-kingdom-code-for-life-and/id1513034238