We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Coleman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Thank you for having me. The inspiration for my nonprofit goes back to my childhood. Growing up in a high poverty neighborhood, nonprofits played a crucial role in providing essential resources to the community. From food and medical services to child care, after-school programs, and job training, these organizations were the backbone that helped our neighborhood thrive. As a child, I was unaware of how much nonprofits impacted my daily life, but as I grew older, I realized how pivotal they were in breaking the cycle I was in. This realization sparked my passion for supporting nonprofits.

I started as a volunteer, and over time, I took on larger roles such as coordinating volunteer efforts, planning fundraising events, and leading awareness campaigns for nonprofit organizations. The more I became involved, the more I saw firsthand the transformative impact of their work.

In 2007, after my son Nick became a young father at 19, we discussed ways to support other young parents facing similar challenges. Together, we developed the idea for H.Y.P.E. (Helping Young Parents Excel). Tragically, after Nick’s passing that same year, our vision for the organization was put on hold.

Years later, in 2017, after my husband and I married, we discovered a shared passion for giving back to the community. While my husband, as a professional athlete, had often participated in charity events and appearances, he never felt a personal connection to the causes he supported. Together, we decided we wanted to do more. We began hosting reading events, football camps, and book donations, and soon, our efforts grew into the creation of Coleman’s Corner.

With the success of Coleman’s Corner, our involvement in the community deepened, and we recognized a growing need for more services. This reflection brought me back to HYPE and the mission Nick and I had originally envisioned. In 2023, we rebranded HYPE as Helping Young People Excel, shifting its focus to mentoring youth between the ages of 12-17. By 2024, we expanded once more, launching Soy Latina, a young women’s leadership association aimed at empowering the next generation of Latina leaders.

My passion for nonprofits comes from my personal experience of having been on the receiving end of their services. This firsthand experience has provided me a understanding of the needs within the community and has been key to the success of our programs. The people we work with recognize that I’ve walked in their shoes and speak from experience, which creates a sense of trust and connection. I truly believe that this has made a significant difference and strengthened our efforts to create meaningful change.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Lisa Coleman, and I’m a San Antonio native. I serve as the CEO of a nonprofit that oversees three programs: Coleman’s Corner, HYPE, and Soy Latina. My personal experience has been a driving force behind my passion for nonprofit work. I often share my journey of becoming a mother at 16, dropping out of high school, and nearly falling into a cycle that often leads to poverty and lifelong challenges. Thanks to a teacher who took a personal interest in my future and the support of local nonprofits, I was able to finish high school, receive job training, and secure employment. That support changed the trajectory of my life.

Through determination and perseverance, I’ve become a business owner, worked in leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies, and held various leadership roles with nonprofits across Texas. Today, I’ve come full circle, serving as the CEO of my own nonprofit.

The most important factor in my success has been determination. As a young mother, I stood at the bus stop with my child at 5:00 a.m., five days a week, to attend a school that offered free daycare. There were plenty of obstacles I could have used as an excuse, but I chose not to. I knew I wanted a better life for myself and my son, and I pursued it relentlessly. While it wasn’t the easiest path, it was the one that allowed me to break barriers and provide a comfortable life for us both.

What I’m most proud of is the example I’ve been able to set for others and the impact our programs have had on the community. When I see a child light up with excitement over a book, or when a teen who was once at risk of dropping out becomes an honor roll student with aspirations of attending college, I’m fueled to do more. These young people are breaking cycles and changing their futures, just as I once did because someone invested in me. It’s a full-circle moment that drives me to keep giving back.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve had to make many changes in my life, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest professional decisions I ever made was leaving a company where I had invested years working my way up the ladder. I had landed a job I had dreamed of as a young girl: a respected professional role with the flexibility to work from home, a business expense account, and a company with a great reputation. Yet, despite all of this, I felt unfulfilled. My passion for nonprofit work had grown stronger than my desire to climb the corporate ladder.

Having been a single mother and the sole provider for so long, the idea of leaving a secure position for something unknown was terrifying. Most people don’t enter nonprofit work for the money—it’s about the belief in the cause and the desire to make a difference. I struggled with the decision until one day I realized I no longer had the same drive for my corporate job. My life had changed. I wasn’t the teenage mom living paycheck to paycheck anymore. I now had the freedom to pursue work I was passionate about.

Even though I hadn’t held a formal position with a nonprofit before, I had always made time to get involved through volunteering and leading nonprofit campaigns at my corporate jobs. I also had my personal story to guide me. That was enough to get my foot in the door. I took on roles where I could learn, and though it was scary at first, I’m happy to say that I now love what I do.

My best advice is to not be afraid to take that first step, but don’t do it blindly. If you’re looking to make a career change, prepare yourself. Learn skills that are valuable in the field you’re interested in, volunteer, and most importantly, network. Let people know what you want to do—don’t keep it a secret. You might be surprised at how others can help expose you to the new path you’re looking to take.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my social media audience is still a work in progress! I started by engaging friends and family, though it’s been a slower process than expected, even with them. I also began following others and organizations in similar fields for inspiration. After attending a social media beginners course, I’ve focused on posting more regularly and getting more creative with my content.

On Facebook, I mainly share important updates, like upcoming events and recaps, while on Instagram, I focus more on videos. I haven’t ventured into TikTok yet, but I plan to with the help of two interns who will be assisting with social media.

My advice? Seek help if you can, whether through interns or collaborators. Follow successful pages in your field for ideas, and most importantly—post consistently. Even a simple post keeps you visible and reminds your followers that you’re still active and in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colemanscorner1.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColemansCorner1
• Twitter: @ColemansCorner1

Image Credits

Joel Garcia – J Garcia Productionz