We recently connected with Nina Corder and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a social enterprise, my goal is always to surround myself and businesses that add value to humanity. I come from a service-oriented background that believes in people’s sense of control over the trajectory of their lives and being valued in the community, especially their sense of belonging. That’s the foundation that built my business. I chose to stay behind a mission to provide services and skills training to those who in turn provide services or products that aim to elevate the quality of lives of all humanity. My company is most effective, successful, and valuable when we are able to support peers and clients in various industries to better the world that we are living in, with an opportunity to coach, mentor, and inspire one another.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am on this path because of curiosity, and I discover more than what I bargained for.

I came to the United States of America to continue my higher education with plans to return home upon completion of my degree. But I did not. I chose to marry someone local, start a family, and begin the journey to call Toledo Ohio home.

While I was in graduate school, I also began my journey as an entrepreneur to help pay for school. I learn the phrase that ‘it is not only about what you know but also about who you know’. Since I was not born here, grew up, or went to school in the area I found it quite challenging to connect, network, and adapt within the community that now I live, work, and raise a family. In other words- how do you find the value and transition within the community that is not given to you?

Curiosity got to me. With the help of friends who have been around business networking for a very long time, we formed a small women’s group for listening sessions to understand the adversity in business networking for women like me, cultural differences, and diversity. The culture and energy that evolved from the original focus group were something I never experienced before. You discover that many of the stories shared, life lessons, and experiences should not be ignored, we have lots to learn and work to do and the exploration should continue. The group evolved and stretched from its capacity as a focus group and turned into an educational forum of success stories. Ordinary and extraordinary stories were told, unpacking the reality of being a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister, a leader, an artist, and other barriers or biases, we women encounter every day in our lives within this community, and globally. When a woman shares her story, we all learn to respectfully listen, learn to relearn, and suddenly, become aware. Organically, mentorship grew as we offered and sought advice from one another.

It becomes inherent that caring for others is what makes humanity unique, something deeply precious about our unique nature-nurture. Organically, the core group begins its journey as an organization that forged the positive visibility and opportunity for women to celebrate our achievements and empower each other. Ultimately, this is the framework that builds my first nonprofit that helps to educate, engage, and empower women and youth within the community.

As I continued helping organize and manage the nonprofit and building my business, I discovered my sense of belonging. I knew that I needed strong, empowered women around me. I do believe it is because of the mentors, peers, and circles of women within the nonprofit. It gives me the understanding and importance of building a community and caring about others within the place where you work, live, and raise a family. I believe that societies flourish when individuals look out for each other’s well-being, leading to stronger communities and collective progress.

I discovered the need for community for others transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. Regardless of differences in language, religion, or social norms, humans across the globe display similar tendencies to help build empowering communities in human societies.

I begin the journey of answering the ‘W’ questions – the why, who, what, and when. What are you good at? I am good at building and organizing community to support the cause for the betterment of humanity. Who is your target market? Individuals that willing to support each other, learn the skills of how we can connect and collaborate to mutually support each other endevadors. Individuals that not only willing to give or gain knowledge, but individuals that willing to open their network for connection to others. What are you passionate about? I am passionate about elevating the quality of life of all humanity. The dream is to add value to others and to change the future to be better. Why? The world can use an individual like me. My why is simple to serve. I believe helping others will lead you to a more positive view of people, leading you to discover better qualities in yourself and others. It leads us to be more accepting by taking on a new view of life. In the end, I totally agree with Gandhi that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

And of course, when I share my passion and interest in creating this for the world, others will ask me how I make money. We are in the capitalist market economy system, sense of belonging does not pay the bills, right? I dont have the answer to everything and fortunate enough, I don’t dream of making money. My hope, money is just what I get for getting it right.

I am building a new social enterprise business that helps provide the space, resources, and tools, for women around the world to build their communities – HerHub Global. Recognizing the significance of caring and belonging, reminds me of the innate goodness within us to build a better world for humanity.

Have you ever had to pivot?

According to Global Change Expert, Dr. Michelle Rozen, “Our brain does not like not knowing”. Uncertainty stresses the brain out and we need resources, ideas, and thoughts to fill the information gap in our minds. We all agree COVID-19 has brought tragedy and chaos to our lives. At the same time, it teaches us how to build our resilience and understand, how important to pivot during crises or in need of change. I believe in my mission and goals to help advance the quality of life in our community. Therefore, as a social entrepreneur, I understand with every difficulty comes ease. With every adversity comes opportunity. During COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered our lives. I am seeing friends and family struggling, small and local businesses temporarily closing and uncertain of their future, workplaces are at a standstill, and nothing is normal. I worked together with a small team remotely, pulled resources, and developed a comprehensive packet on WHAT TO DO. For example, resources that are specific to women-owned businesses in our community. Our team leverages their talent in using technology, and information systems to gather valid and correct resources to meet the specific needs of any request.
In other words, I have begun to utilize my strength in researching, connecting, and providing customer services to our community. Staying resilient to my core missions to keep moving forward, and showing up for those in our care, no matter what is more important than reimagining our existing program delivery.

Any advice for managing a team?

Understanding the psychology behind humanity, people want to contribute, help, and support. Letting go of control and ways of micromanaging your team is something I have to learn fast and quickly. It was really hard at the beginning since I built the business from ground zero by myself. As your business grows, so do your team, so do yourself. Staying the curiosity bubble and understanding, people are innate to help and care about others, perhaps giving them the space and opportunity to develop thier talent and contribute will be the best way to maintain high morale and a performing team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lemonlimecompany.com/
• https://www.womenoftoledo.org/
• https://herhubglobal.com (coming soon)