I wanted to do these interviews because I want you to be inspired like I am by these amazing people! I LOVE reading interviews, so I was so beyond grateful lots of wonderful people agreed to do it. (You will see one a month over the next couple of months) I am continually amazed at the love and kindness of these ladies! Today I've asked a very special lady with a very awesome magazine to answer some questions. You may have seen this magazine on Instagram and wondered who the wonderful person that is behind it just like I did.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Emily Punjack. I am 29 years old and the CEO and editor-in-chief of Celestial Shine Magazine. I am from Pennsylvania, but I have lived in Utah (for college…go BYU) and California (for my mission). I love hair flowers, chocolate chip cookies, traveling, and my maltipoo Cubby. I dislike mean people, but I’m learning more to forgive. I have a wonderful husband and stepdaughter who are so supportive in all that I do, and I couldn’t do any of this without them! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ because it encourages me to become better every day and points me more toward becoming like Christ.
What is your favorite book? “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom. She is so inspiring in the way she dealt with the horrible situation she was given in the concentration camps during World War II. I love the faith that she had and the miracles that she recognized in her life…even in flea-infested, way-less-than-perfect conditions. Her dedication to the Lord and the scriptures are an inspiration…especially in the way that she applied those things in order to forgive those who hurt her. She was definitely a Christ-like person!
Why did you start this magazine? Ever since I was a Young Woman, I always loved reading magazines. I had subscriptions to both Seventeen and Teen People (yeah, it’s no longer around—I’m that old) and loved getting them in the mail. But I eventually decided to cancel my subscriptions due to the content they contained. Ever since then, I always wished that the Church would come out with a modest fashion magazine especially for the Young Women, and when that never happened, I decided that I needed to take that mission upon myself.
What is your favorite part of running your company/magazine? I love working with the Young Women! I get the best feeling in the whole world knowing that every model is a real life young woman! They absolutely shine (hence the magazine name) when they get their pictures taken, and they are always so beautiful. I also love meeting new people in the Church daily! It’s amazing to realize how many Mormons are out there in the world doing good!
What inspires you to keep going in life? Jesus Christ all the way! I have the picture “Come” by David Bowman hanging up in my office where Jesus is walking on the water and He has His hand outstretched to Peter who is intently looking upon Him. I pretty much have realized that when I let my fear and doubts overcome me in life, I start to sink…just like Peter did. But it’s when I look to the Savior and have faith in Him that I realize that His hand was outstretched all along! He brings so much hope and joy into my life. He’s the only reason I’m able to keep going some days. Thank goodness for the scriptures and prayer.
Why did you start this magazine? Ever since I was a Young Woman, I always loved reading magazines. I had subscriptions to both Seventeen and Teen People (yeah, it’s no longer around—I’m that old) and loved getting them in the mail. But I eventually decided to cancel my subscriptions due to the content they contained. Ever since then, I always wished that the Church would come out with a modest fashion magazine especially for the Young Women, and when that never happened, I decided that I needed to take that mission upon myself.
What is your favorite part of running your company/magazine? I love working with the Young Women! I get the best feeling in the whole world knowing that every model is a real life young woman! They absolutely shine (hence the magazine name) when they get their pictures taken, and they are always so beautiful. I also love meeting new people in the Church daily! It’s amazing to realize how many Mormons are out there in the world doing good!
What inspires you to keep going in life? Jesus Christ all the way! I have the picture “Come” by David Bowman hanging up in my office where Jesus is walking on the water and He has His hand outstretched to Peter who is intently looking upon Him. I pretty much have realized that when I let my fear and doubts overcome me in life, I start to sink…just like Peter did. But it’s when I look to the Savior and have faith in Him that I realize that His hand was outstretched all along! He brings so much hope and joy into my life. He’s the only reason I’m able to keep going some days. Thank goodness for the scriptures and prayer.
This scripture just brings me a lot of comfort. I love that the Lord is always there to counsel with. He loves us so much that he would never lead us astray! We have the most powerful, loving, amazing being on our side—He’s our Father. How then do we have reason to fear?
Why do you think it is important to "share goodness?" There is so much darkness in the world right now trying to put us down. We need to step up and be the ones to shine through that darkness! Luckily we have the internet and social media and YouTube to share goodness in the world! I absolutely love those who have used those outlets in order to do good in the world (i.e. the Gardiner Sisters, Sadie Robertson, David Archuleta). It is so inspiring when individuals care more about what God thinks than what the world thinks. And then they touch so many people’s lives and help them find the light they were looking for!
What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? I love writing. It is such a great outlet! I have about a million journals since I was younger! And I actually wrote a young adult novel a few years ago (it has yet to be published…maybe one day) and have ideas for more in the future. I just love creating a new world through words.
What advise would you give to someone who wanted to follow their dreams? Don’t be afraid! For so many years, I didn’t pursue my dream to start this magazine because I was afraid that I would fail. I overthought things too much. I tried anything and everything else and made excuses of why I couldn’t do it yet…because if I failed in my dream, then what would I do? I was unhappy and unfulfilled. Finally, I realized that it wasn’t the Lord who was making me afraid; Satan was trying to hold me back. And if he didn’t want me to start the magazine, then that was a GREAT reason to actually jump in and just do it! I have made mistakes along the way, but it has been a wonderful process and learning experience! So counsel with the Lord (see why I like that scripture so much?) about your dream, pray for help, and then just do it if you feel it’s right! Don’t let fear paralyze you! What is you favorite scripture and why? I absolutely love Alma 37:36-37… “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.”
This scripture just brings me a lot of comfort. I love that the Lord is always there to counsel with. He loves us so much that he would never lead us astray! We have the most powerful, loving, amazing being on our side—He’s our Father. How then do we have reason to fear?
Why do you think it is important to "share goodness?" There is so much darkness in the world right now trying to put us down. We need to step up and be the ones to shine through that darkness! Luckily we have the internet and social media and YouTube to share goodness in the world! I absolutely love those who have used those outlets in order to do good in the world (i.e. the Gardiner Sisters, Sadie Robertson, David Archuleta). It is so inspiring when individuals care more about what God thinks than what the world thinks. And then they touch so many people’s lives and help them find the light they were looking for!
What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? I love writing. It is such a great outlet! I have about a million journals since I was younger! And I actually wrote a young adult novel a few years ago (it has yet to be published…maybe one day) and have ideas for more in the future. I just love creating a new world through words.
What advise would you give to someone who wanted to follow their dreams? Don’t be afraid! For so many years, I didn’t pursue my dream to start this magazine because I was afraid that I would fail. I overthought things too much. I tried anything and everything else and made excuses of why I couldn’t do it yet…because if I failed in my dream, then what would I do? I was unhappy and unfulfilled. Finally, I realized that it wasn’t the Lord who was making me afraid; Satan was trying to hold me back. And if he didn’t want me to start the magazine, then that was a GREAT reason to actually jump in and just do it! I have made mistakes along the way, but it has been a wonderful process and learning experience! So counsel with the Lord (see why I like that scripture so much?) about your dream, pray for help, and then just do it if you feel it’s right! Don’t let fear paralyze you!
Thank you so much Emily for sharing! Go check out her magazine. It's awesome! And don't forget to subscribe... you may see someone you know in a coming issue! ;)
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