Referrals

Hiii ✨ I’m glad you’re here, and I hope you’ve been well. Let’s dig into our first focus point for 2026: Referrals.

First, let’s note that to refer someone is to direct them to, mention, or point them toward a person, place, or source for information, help, or service.

Second, referrals come not only from what people hear, but also from what they see. In the natural, my clients refer others to TKW because they see the quality of their style, and hear the love in their experience. In the spiritual, we refer others to Jesus because they see the fruit of our lived-out faith and hear how God’s love has shaped our journey. Most of the time, it happens in that order: the quality or fruit often catches attention first, then people hear or learn about the experience, and finally, they decide to connect.

So the question we should ask ourselves is this: do our lives point anyone toward Jesus?

The Fruit

This is the part that others see and witness for themselves. Whether you know it or not, whether you want them to, or whether you care—they see it. The fact of the matter is that what’s visible will be noticed. Maybe not by everyone, but by someone.

A quality hairstyle can make someone ask, “Hey, who does your hair?” 😍

In the same way, visible fruit can make someone ask, “How do you have so much peace?” 🥹

A well-executed protective style can make someone say, “Omg, I love this! Please send me the info.” 👏🏾

Similarly, visible fruit can make someone say, “You’re always so patient. I don’t see how you do it.” 😩

The point is this: healthy hair attracts natural referrals, while healthy faith attracts spiritual referrals. And although someone is drawn in by what they see, what you say next matters too.

The Journey

This is where your testimony comes in. Your testimony reflects your story or personal experience. Whether we’re talking about hair or our walk with Christ, the journey is our first-hand account of how this person, place, or source has impacted us. Let’s look at three key points about the significance of the journey.

Referrals come from relationship.

Clients refer stylists that they trust and/or have history with.

We should be the same way about our walk with Christ. Through our honest testimony, we can point others toward Jesus by telling them how powerful His love is and how He’s transformed us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It’s a picture of where we used to be versus where we are now, and even our faith to keep going. That’s real, and the truth is, people are drawn to Jesus through authentic relationship, not performance.

Referrals come from experiencing value.

Have you ever gone to a hair appointment and your expectations were exceeded? An amazing experience with a stylist = a client ready to tell someone about it.

In like fashion, a real encounter with Jesus makes you want others to meet Him too.

Referrals depend on consistency.

A client who continues to allow the same stylist to work on their hair is a client who can speak confidently about their hair journey. They can tell you about the condition their hair was in when they started, things that had to change to help it grow, and how their hair has progressed.

In the same way, a follower of Christ who consistently surrenders and allows Jesus to work in their life can share their journey with confidence. They can speak honestly about how things began, the struggles along the way, and all the growth they’ve experienced. God is consistent—He’s always been there. So if you let Him, over time He’ll shape your heart, mind, & character to align with His Word. How else can the stylist work on you if you don’t show up to the appointment? It’s about faithfully showing up and letting the process unfold.

Sharing our journey invites others in, encourages them, and makes the reality of a relationship with Christ relatable. It’s the depth of relationship, the meaningful experience, and the consistency of the journey that give your testimony weight and make your referral resonant.

The Connection

When someone makes a decision to get connected, they must be stewarded well. What does this mean? It means that at this stage, referrals are less about attraction and more about care.

In the natural, clients refer their stylist to others because they’ve felt seen, valued, and safe. There’s a level of trust built when a stylist listens, educates, and prioritizes the health of their client’s hair.

The same applies to our faith.

Followers of Christ often invite others to do the same when they feel genuinely loved and supported. There’s a level of trust built when believers create safe spaces for vulnerability, learning, and mentoring. This, with respect to personal boundaries, is what helps us grow. And when believers grow, they naturally bring others in with them. Yes, God’s love is a guarantee every believer can absolutely count on—AND it’s still important that we love and care for others well.

When someone encounters Jesus through you, nurturing the connection in relationship continues the process. Again, you’re allowed to have boundaries—every believer you meet doesn’t automatically get access to the most intimate parts of your life. But when we steward connection in a healthy way, we help others walk with Jesus and allow room for their transformation. That’s discipleship. Just as healthy hair requires continued care beyond the first visit, healthy faith requires ongoing relationship—vertically (God) and horizontally (community).

So what does all this look like practically? Here are three things to remember as we refer others to Jesus:

1. Let your fruit speak through how you live each day

2. Let your journey remain surrendered and honest

3. Be faithful to the process, trusting God with growth and connection

I’ve also included some reference scriptures for biblical guidance:

• Matthew 5:15-16 NIV (let your light shine)

• Matthew 7:16-20 NIV (recognized by fruit)

• Galatians 5:22-23 NIV (fruit of the Spirit)

• John 15:5-8 NIV (abiding in Christ = lasting fruit)

• Colossians 1:10 NIV (bearing good fruit)

• James 3:17-18 NIV (Godly wisdom = good fruit)

• Psalm 66:16 NIV (let me tell you)

• Mark 5:19 NIV (Jesus says “tell them”)

• Acts 4:20 NIV (speaking what we’ve seen & heard)

• 2 Timothy 1:8-10 MSG (don’t be embarrassed to speak)

• 1 Peter 3:15 NIV (to everyone who asks about the reason for your hope)

• Hebrews 13:8 NIV (Jesus remains the same)

• Hebrews 10:23 NIV (He is faithful)

• John 13:34-35 NIV (His command to love)

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV (love as the foundation)

• Colossians 3:12-14 NIV (love binds everything together)

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV (encourage one another)

• 1 Peter 4:8-10 NIV (love & serve others)

• Proverbs 4:23 NIV (guard your heart)—this affirms careful inner life stewardship, which supports serving others with love

• John 2:23-24 NIV (loving others with relational discernment)

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