Starting my business, one page at a time

Lydia Hughes grew up in a Christian family, but during her university years lost interest in her faith. When COVID struck, it was the push she needed to take a deep dive into what she believed. After she moved back home due to lockdown, she started exploring her faith again, watching church services online. In November 2021, a friend invited her to an Alpha course at the church near her parents’ house.

“I met an amazing group of people that I’m still in touch with almost every week. My table leaders were a very special couple – they didn’t just believe in Jesus, they lived for Him. I was blown away by how their faith impacted everything they did, welcoming people into their home, and they were so kind. That changed everything for me, and I committed my life to Him.”

In November 2022, Lydia began working for a church in Oxford, something she never imagined for herself. During that first year in ministry, she found herself so busy that it was challenging to sustain her own prayer life. She began to feel overwhelmed, too, by the number of things she wanted to pray for, so she started looking for a tool to help her focus her time with God and the people and situations she committed to pray for. However, she “couldn’t find something that fitted my personal style, and if I did, it was just a blank-lined notebook”.

Forging a new path

In 2023, Lydia decided to take her interior design and styling degree to good use. “When I looked at the Christian stationery market (including cards) there was very little that felt fun, bold and contemporary – especially for a younger audience – so I wanted to step into that space.”

Over the next couple of years, Lydia began praying about creating a prayer journal, and started to gather samples, exploring paper and different layouts. “I created a prayer journal with a minimalist, timeless design, featuring embossing for a handmade feel, bold, high-quality paper covers, and guided prompts on each page. I really wanted to help people document their prayers so they could look back over their journals and see how God moved in the big things and in the small things.”

Before Lydia went to work for the church, she had worked remotely for an online marketplace, focusing on sustainable small businesses. “When I look back, I can see how God combined all my passions: styling, sustainability, small business and church!”

I didn’t think I was ‘holy’ enough to have a Christian business

During a two-year incubation period, Lydia shared her idea with two or three friends who kept her accountable and helped it move forward, but it was a long journey. “I was so fearful of taking the leap and starting the business. There was a moment when I was in the car with a friend, and I told her I was worried about finances. I did have some money saved, but I was too scared to use it, and she told me my grip on money was too tight – it was God’s, not mine, and I needed to go for it!” 

Lydia continued to struggle with many doubts and fears about launching her business. When she was at a ministry day at church, she laid everything out before the Lord. “I didn’t think I was ‘holy’ enough to have a Christian business. But I told Him: ‘If You want me to do it, I’ll do it!’ And in that moment, I had such a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. My heart just soared in confirmation and relief that I was to do this for the Lord!” 

Launching and expanding the business

In the summer of 2025, Lydia launched Faithful Pages with its first signature product: a hand-embossed artisan guided prayer journal, with a cool, bold aesthetic. It was such a vulnerable experience, finally sharing her passion with the world, but people’s responses were overwhelmingly positive, and she sold out of 40 prayer journals in the first week. 

Lydia went full time with Faithful Pages from autumn 2025 alongside starting a Christian design agency with a friend. She added stunning, timeless products to her online shop, including cards, sermon notebooks, mirror decals with biblical affirmations and gift sets. Each item is made from sustainable materials, and Lydia embosses them by hand.

Lydia is focusing on scaling by marketing Faithful Pages in creative ways and posting uplifting content on her Instagram. “The mission behind the brand is to encourage people in their faith and inspire them in their everyday walk with God. When I design the products, I focus on what people really need, like the sermon notebooks that have sections to fill in to help you apply what you hear, so God’s word can really impact your life.”

Lydia would love to expand her products’ reach to summer festivals and conferences in 2026. She really values the opportunity for people to handle the products, and loves meeting customers face to face. She would also like to add to the product lines, and create group prayer resources in the future. 

The highs and lows 

There have been real times of difficulty. “As a Christian small business owner, the spiritual attack is real! When you’re out there with a God-given idea, it feels like walking directly on to the devil’s battleground. When I struggle with negative thoughts and self-doubt, I have to remind myself every day that God gave me the idea, that the purpose of Faithful Pages is to encourage people in their faith – and it belongs to Him.”

I have to remind myself every day that God gave me the idea

Alongside the struggle, Lydia experiences real joy as customers interact with her products. “I’m so thrilled when even one person buys a Faithful Pages product, because that’s one person who is encouraged and hopefully growing closer in their relationship to God. That makes it all worth it.”

Faithful Pages journals can become treasured keepsakes of our journey with God. “Looking over old journals is a great way to recall what God did and said throughout different seasons of life.” When we sit down to spend time with the Lord, she also recommends writing out a list of all the things we’re grateful for to help us get ‘out of our heads’ and into God’s presence. 

Lydia prays that Faithful Pages has an eternal impact on the lives of those who use her products, and that her customers would be inspired in their faith and know who they are in Christ.

faithfulpages.co.uk @faithfulpagesstationery