Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carmin Issa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carmin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I never imagined becoming an entrepreneur—until the world shifted in 2020. At the height of the pandemic, I found out I was pregnant. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix and placed on modified bed rest. Suddenly, everything slowed down. Luckily, the world had slowed down too. Remote work, once a dream, became my new reality.

During that time, something in me began to shift. After my daughter was born, I knew deep down that I couldn’t return to a conventional 9-to-5. The rigid structure, the lack of flexibility—it no longer aligned with the life I wanted for myself or my family. So, I took a leap. I left my traditional job to work from home full-time and travel only when necessary. That decision changed everything.

With more control over my time and energy, I began investing in myself—attending retreats, joining workshops, and surrounding myself with people who inspired me. Slowly, I built a community I was proud of. Opportunities began to come my way. I started taking on more business and eventually grew two streams of income, but most importantly my visibility in the field I was in.

That risk—to leave the security of a job for an uncertain path—became the catalyst for discovering my entrepreneurial voice. It wasn’t just about working differently; it was about living differently, with intention, courage, and creativity.

Carmin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m someone who never originally set out to become a business owner—but I’ve always been deeply driven in my professional life. I knew early on that I wanted to be a leader in early childhood education. My passion has always been about supporting children by investing in the adults who care for them. Over time, that drive expanded beyond traditional roles and led me into entrepreneurship.

I launched Small Bites, a small business centered on building community through food and grazing experiences. Our mission was to create intentional, experimental experiences that brought people together around a shared table. It was never just about charcuterie—it was about connection, conversation, and joy. While Small Bites is currently on pause, the heart behind it still shapes everything I do today: building spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued.

Currently, I serve as the Assistant Director of a nonprofit organization that supports the social-emotional development of children by providing strength-based coaching to early childhood educators—a group too often unheard and undervalued. We believe that to support children well, we must first care for and uplift the adults in their lives. My role allows me to advocate for educators, develop meaningful programming, and influence systems that prioritize empathy, equity, and sustainable growth.

What sets me apart is the way I blend heart and strategy. I’ve worked across creative and administrative spaces, and I know how to lead with vision while keeping things grounded in purpose and execution. Whether it’s running a business, guiding a team, or co-creating with educators, my approach is always rooted in building community and sparking transformation.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve created a career that reflects my values. I’ve used food to bring people together, led efforts that support children and teachers, and now I’m expanding into storytelling through podcasting and speaking—bringing visibility to the parts of early childhood and womanhood that often go unspoken.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about me and my work, it’s this: I’m grounded in authenticity and community. Whether through a meal, a conversation, or a coaching session—I’m here to hold space for people to grow, be seen, and feel like they matter.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

There’s a book by Daniel Goleman called Working with Emotional Intelligence that has greatly influenced how I support and lead a team. His EQ theory has shaped the way I manage people and relationships over the past 10 years. One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from it is to always remain rational and reasonable—especially in leadership. That doesn’t mean everyone will always agree with your decisions, but it does mean they’ll feel respected and heard.

What I’ve found is that when you create space for empathy, you naturally build trust—and when your team trusts you, they’ll follow your lead. That kind of trust also helps sustain morale. As a leader, you’re not just assigning tasks—you’re pouring into people. That means recognizing their wins, naming their strengths, and identifying where you see potential for growth. When people know you believe in them, they show up differently.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In my opinion, the charcuterie space has become a bit oversaturated. And in a market like that, the only way to truly build your brand and create consistent revenue is by doing two things: showing up as yourself and being consistent with your deliverables. That’s what helped me the most.

I wasn’t out here pretending to be a sommelier or blowing smoke. I knew what I liked—and I found the people who liked what I liked. That authenticity helped me build a solid reputation, and that reputation opened new doors and opportunities.

I’ve never claimed to know everything. But because I show up as my true self, people trust me. And when someone is spending their hard-earned money on my service, I want them to feel like they’re getting the absolute best of my creativity and intention.

It also doesn’t hurt to be underestimated. :)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small.bites.by.carm
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/carmwithatwist

Image Credits

Ellie Frances Photography