Christ at the Foundation: The Lasting Impact of DBU’s Community on Alumna and Business Owner Shelby Brown

Through the community she formed on University Hill to living out servant leadership as a mom and business owner, Dallas Baptist University alumna and House of Stitches co-owner Shelby Brown '23 is reminded in each season of life that God's love and faithfulness will always be present.

Raised in a Christian home where faith was a central part of her family life, Shelby recalls consistently going to church, hearing about Jesus, and watching her parents model what it looks like to follow the Lord faithfully. After accepting Christ at a young age, she continued to grow in her faith and stay involved in her church community and youth ministry.

As Shelby got older, her faith developed into a deeper, more personal relationship with the Lord as she faced seasons of hardships that shaped her walk with Him.

During one of the hardest seasons of her life following the passing of her father, Officer Richard Houston, who died in the line of duty, Shelby was grateful to be part of the DBU community where she was surrounded by one of the greatest support systems. "Looking back," she shares, "I can see so clearly that God knew exactly where I needed to be and who I needed around me during those years."

At DBU, she experienced college in a way that became more than just earning a degree. Shelby found friendships, mentorships, and her husband, Will, who brought a steady presence to her life when everything felt uncertain and difficult to navigate. "I don't just remember where I went to college. I remember a place that loved me, prayed for me, and helped carry me through one of the darkest seasons of my life," she reflects. "The way the DBU community surrounded me is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Now, after graduating with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, Shelby and her mother-in-law have opened the House of Stitches storefront, a needlepoint store located in Tyler, TX. Having been surrounded by servant leaders who came beside Shelby in her grief as an undergraduate student, she hopes to extend this same care and service to her customers and those she encounters, knowing it is about serving others well and representing Christ in everything.

For Shelby, building a business from the ground up that began as a simple hobby and a creative outlet has been a fulfilling part of her journey. Working behind-the-scenes, she runs the business' website, keeps track of inventory, and helps with marketing, social media, and design.

House of Stitches is centered around creativity and community, and as Shelby meets new people, helps customers find something they love, and watches a simple hobby bring everyone together, she hopes that each interaction points others to Christ.

Alongside her role as co-owner of House of Stitches, Shelby pursues opportunities in photography, graphic design, public speaking, and ministry, and also stays home with her daughter, Indie.

Since graduating, Shelby shares that the most meaningful role in her life is being a mom to Indie. On a professional level, opening House of Stitches has been a major milestone for Shelby, and it has been rewarding to watch the storefront grow into what it is today. Navigating the business alongside motherhood has not only challenged and allowed her to grow in more ways than she could have imagined, but it has also made this chapter of her life even more meaningful.

Offering advice to current DBU students and recent graduates, Shelby encourages them to trust where the Lord leads and to remember that the He defines their purpose. She says, "Careers, plans, and seasons will change, but the foundation you build in Christ will carry you through all of them."

Shelby's time on University Hill reinforced that her faith is not something that should be separate from her work and personal life. Today, her faith continues to be the foundation of her life, and she desires to use the story God has given her to continually point others towards the hope, forgiveness, and freedom that can only be found in Him.