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

Hi Lori, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I still remember the moment the idea stopped being just a passing thought and became a calling. After more than 20 years in corporate America, I was downsized. I had always been a volunteer for charitable causes, but I decided I could do mor.  Coming from a career that had taken me through the fast-paced world of media, community fundraising campaigns, and countless “career day” talks in public schools—I knew I could make a difference in the nonprofit sector. Afterall, I had seen firsthand how early habits shape lifelong outcomes. I had stood in front of classrooms full of bright, curious kids and realized something troubling: they were being set up to fail when it came to their health. Conversations about nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being were either too shallow or missing entirely.

The concept came into focus with urgency: build an organization that teaches children how to develop healthy habits early—habits that could help them avoid obesity, diabetes, and hypertension later in life. Not through lectures, but through engaging, relatable, and culturally relevant education.

Once I committed, everything moved quickly. Filing for 501(c)(3) status felt like a major milestone. Anyone who has done it knows the waiting game can be long—typically 12 weeks or more. So when our approval came through in just three weeks, I took it as more than administrative luck. It felt like affirmation. It felt like God was giving me the green light to proceed. Like we were supposed to be doing this work. But that approval also came with immediate accountability.

The programs I described in that IRS application weren’t theoretical anymore—they had to come to life. Curriculum had to be written. Partnerships had to be secured. Schools had to say yes. And children had to be engaged in a way that actually made an impact.

Those early days were a grind. I leaned heavily on every piece of my background. My experience in media helped shape messaging that could capture attention and simplify complex health concepts for young minds. My work in media sales and community fundraising gave me the confidence to sit across from potential sponsors and make a compelling case for investment. And those years of speaking at career days? They turned out to be invaluable. I already understood how to walk into a school, connect with students, respect the environment, and communicate in a way that felt authentic—not preachy.

Still, nothing replaces the reality of building from scratch. There were long nights—drafting lesson plans, revising program structures, answering emails at 1 a.m., and figuring out how to stretch limited resources into something meaningful. There were sacrifices—time, income stability, and personal comfort. But there was also an unshakable belief that if we got it right, we could change trajectories for an entire generation of kids. And slowly, things started to click.

Schools didn’t just accept our programs—they embraced them. Students responded with enthusiasm. Teachers became advocates, volunteers, and even board members.. Then came the recognition: awards from the Atlanta Public School System acknowledging the impact of our work. Not only that, corporations were stepping up—not just with funding, but with genuine partnership and shared vision. Those early sponsors weren’t just writing checks—they were validating the mission.

Looking back, that combination of rapid 501(c)(3) approval, relentless execution, and early external validation told me something important: we weren’t just building an organization. We were building something necessary.
The long hours, the uncertainty, the sacrifice—it all paid off. Not overnight, but steadily, in the form of impact, trust, and growth. And every time I see a child make a healthier choice because of something they learned through our programs, I’m reminded why we started—and why it was worth every step.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My background is in radio sales and marketing. I spent nearly 20 years of my professional career selling radio advertising. During that time, I was also a community volunteer for several nonprofit organizations both nationally and locally in Atlanta, GA. After my radio career ended, I decided to get more involved in philanthropic causes. My desire for bigger impact led me to start a nonprofit. Initially, I had a partner who worked alongside me in the nonprofit. However, after the first year, the partnership dissolved and I took the reigns and decided to go all in..

The thing that made me want to start a nonprofit focusing on health and wellness principles for children was a doctor’s visit that I had. It was a regular check up with my doctor who informed me that everything looked fine but there was one concern about my lab results. The concern was that I was insulin resistant also known as pre-diabetic. At that time, I was floored because although I had a hectic work schedule, I tried to eat as healthy as possible. The doctor told me that my diagnosis wasn’t just due to lifestyle, but it was also genetic. Having one or both parents who are diabetic means that you are more likely to get the disease as well. It was then that I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children as far as their health was concerned. My determination fueled my desire to partner with elementary schools through nonprofit work to educate kids about developing better health habits.

As founder of Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, I created programs that educate children about fitness, agriculture, nutrition, and total-well being. The problem that our organization solves is providing hands on, supplemental educational programming to school age children to educate them on healthy lifestyle habits so they can more likely avoid obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

One of the things I am most proud of is the fact that our organization has been instrumental in helping several schools within the Atlanta Public School District and Dekalb County School District to become STEM certified.

The main things that I want people to know and understand about our work is that we’re making an impact. Within the past 15 years, Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation has donated vegetable gardens to 15 schools, and donated garden supplies to an additional 5 schools and these initiatives are responsible for teaching children where their food comes from and how to plant and harvest healthy and organic foods. We have hosted yearly summer camps where we give children the opportunity to learn from professionals about fitness and wellness best practices. Additionally, we have donated tens of thousands of dollars in school supplies to elementary schools, shelters, churches and other organizations to help underprivileged kids with back to school needs. Finally, we have awarded $90,000.00 in scholarships to high school seniors for their first year of of college. All of these things we have been able to accomplish without a full-time paid staff, but rather a team of committed board members, officers, ambassadors, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

1.Lead with integrity and value-based character—every single day.

In the early stages, people aren’t just buying into your mission—they’re buying into you. Your team, board members, and even your volunteers are watching how you make decisions, how you handle pressure, and how you treat people when no one is looking. If your leadership is rooted in clear values and consistent integrity, it builds trust quickly. And trust is the currency that keeps morale high, especially when resources are tight and the work is demanding.

2. Cast a vision so clear that others can see themselves in it.

A solid vision isn’t just a statement—it’s a picture of the future that people feel connected to. When your team understands not only what you’re building but why it matters, they show up differently. The same is true for donors and sponsors. People give, support, and advocate when they can emotionally connect to the outcome. Your job is to communicate that vision so consistently and convincingly that it becomes shared ownership.

3. Master the art of persuasion without losing authenticity.

Whether you’re securing your first sponsor, recruiting a board member, or asking a volunteer to go the extra mile, persuasion is essential. But it’s not about pressure—it’s about alignment. Listen well, understand what motivates people, and connect their values to your mission. When done right, people don’t feel convinced—they feel called to be part of the work.

4. Prioritize likeability and relational leadership.

People stay where they feel seen, respected, and appreciated. Especially in a growing nonprofit, where you may not always be able to offer high salaries or immediate rewards, your culture becomes your competitive advantage. Celebrate small wins. Acknowledge effort. Be accessible. When people genuinely enjoy working with you and feel valued, morale stays strong—even during long hours and challenging seasons.

5. Build a culture of ownership and shared success.

To grow from startup to a six or seven figure organization, you cannot do everything yourself. You need a team, board, and volunteer base that feels a sense of ownership. That means delegating meaningfully, trusting people with real responsibility, and giving them visibility into the organization’s progress. When people see how their contributions directly impact growth—whether it’s program expansion, funding milestones, or community reach—they become more invested, more motivated, and more committed to scaling the mission with you.

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

One of the ways we have been able to remain visible in the marketplace is by using social media. We took our social media platforms from zero to thousands using organic strategies. We simply begin showing images of the work we were doing in the community along with posting health education tips. After a while we began gaining traction and secured several thousand followers.

The best advice for those who are just starting out and trying to build a social media presence, you must be persistent and consistent and don’t forget to engage.

1. Show up consistently—even when you don’t feel like it.

Visibility isn’t about going viral; it’s about being reliably present. Whether it’s 2-3 posts a week or daily stories, your audience should know you’re active and engaged. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust. Share program updates, behind-the-scenes moments, student success stories, and even the challenges—because authenticity keeps people connected to your journey.

2. Create content that educates, inspires, and invites interaction.

Don’t just post—provide value. Teach simple health tips, share quick wins from your programs, or highlight real-life impact. Then invite your audience into the conversation: ask questions, run polls, respond to comments. Engagement is a two-way street. The more people feel like they’re part of the mission, the more likely they are to support, share, and advocate.

3. Leverage storytelling to keep your mission top of mind.

Facts inform, but stories move people. Use social media to tell ongoing stories—about the children you serve, the communities you impact, and the journey of building the organization. When donors, volunteers, and supporters can see the impact unfold in real time, it reinforces why your work matters and keeps them emotionally invested over the long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.livehealthyandthriveyouth.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LHTYF
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveHealthyandThriveYouthFoundation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-healthy-&-thrive-youth-foundation-inc.
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/LHTYF
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LHTYF
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/live-healthy-and-thrive-youth-foundation-atlanta-2

Image Credits

Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc.