The Fragrance of Faith
Peripeti Home Celebrates One Year of God’s Goodness Through Battles, Business and Blessings
Kate Walsh Dodok, Founder and Creative Director of Peripeti Home, had her start at Building Hope in the City far before her successful home-based business transitioned to become a BHITC social enterprise in 2022. After living in Chicago for 10 years and finding great fulfillment in serving the refugee communities there, she wanted to continue to do so as she returned home to Cleveland. A friend connected Kate to The Hope Center – before it even operated out of the building we know and love today – and she began volunteering to assist youth in the program on homework and ESL (English as a Second Language).
She soon began serving as a refugee family mentor, assisting with making sure families had weather-appropriate clothing and giving rides when needed. “I really enjoyed connecting with the families as a whole,” says Kate. “I found value in building trust in these relationships — being a familiar face and coming alongside these families while they are amidst so much change, and reassuring them as they bridge the transition.”
As life became busier, Kate took some time away from volunteering, and during this time she began experimenting with essential oils, scents and candles to keep her creative side engaged.
“The creative process of candles is really what kept me interested. I would make one batch and it would turn out great, and then repeat the process and the next batch would turn out different,” says Kate. “Then the science-part of my brain kicks in to figure out what went wrong.” As she continued to make candles as gifts for friends and family, her blends of various essential oils to create scents grew more unique and complex than the premixed scents she could buy. Before long, family and friends were generating enough requests for Kate to launch her own boutique.
In March of 2021, a year after she and her husband were married, Kate was diagnosed with cancer. She took a hiatus from work to focus on her treatment and well-being. During this time, Kate held strongly to the power of prayer, praying for others who were facing challenging circumstances, as well. We know that the Lord causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him. Even the Psalmist reminds us: Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies, (Psalm 36:5). These truths became an anchor in the storm for Kate, a promise of God’s presence and faithfulness.
She also experienced the goodness of God through the Body of Christ in a much deeper way than she had previously. “Everyone here at Building Hope in the City has been amazing, and coming alongside me during treatment was motivating, and gave me something exciting to look forward to in that season,” says Kate. As Peripeti continues to grow, more vision and new chapters continue to unfold. Kate had always dreamed for Peripeti to reach the point where she could give refugee families a way into the workforce and provide a stable opportunity for them amidst their transition.
The Word of God says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. Today, Peripeti employs two refugee women, Sarah and Fatima. “I had the honor of being with Sarah and Fatima in the workshop on their first day,” says Kate. “It really touched my heart, because in that moment I knew it was God showing me how He has been a part of every piece of my journey this whole time.”
As we reflect on Peripeti’s one year anniversary, it is not hard to see the incredible, unmatched goodness of God. The team has grown from a solopreneur to nine contributing members. They have introduced customized business giftings, deepened relationships through hosting community events, and have been accepted into Northeast Ohio’s cohort for SeaChange – a social enterprise accelerator. With orders spanning coast to coast, Peripeti has poured over 7,500 products in the past year, with 19 seasonal fragrances and signature scents being enjoyed all over the country. “Peripeti is a special company with a product that can transform spaces through scent and with a reach that is further than anything else in our portfolio. The past year of working with this brand and team has shown me yet again that the story of our social enterprise really is God’s grace and the great people around them,”” says Jeff Stredney. BHITC’s Director of Social Enterprise.
Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain “move from here to there” and it will move.” In other words, nothing is impossible for Him.“ ‘Peripeti’ refers to a small thing with significant impact, to me that sums up fragrance,” says Kate. “It is not about how big or small your faith is, it is about who your faith is in.” God is abundant in power and understanding. As we continue to put our trust in Him, we learn there is nothing He cannot do.
