Meet Nina Lewis

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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.

We were lucky to catch up with Nina Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

So many people in underserved communities are pregnant with amazing ideas, passions, and gifts that would benefit not just their neighborhoods but nations. However, a common issue is lack, rather its financial lack, mental and emotional support, or just an opportunity to even be heard beyond the four blocks where we live.

I know what it feels like to be in labor with an idea and have no one to assist in the birthing process, let me be the first to admit yes, it can be done but it sucks, and the reality is most do not make it past the second trimester.
The birthing process illustrates an amazing depiction of the journey that a business goes through from idea to grand opening.

My company Brand Knew Corporate Living helps support my mission to provide the support, love, and education needed to anyone trying to conceive. I met a woman who was struggling with her business and yes, there were a lot of places she needed help; but the area that outweighed them all was the need to be heard and encouraged. To many that may not seem important but to hear “that is an amazing idea” and “I believe in you” could change the trajectory of any person or thing. After a few meetings she was ready to go, and the most important thing to take from this is she became contagious! She went out and started motivating, supporting, and encouraging others.

That is my mission to serve the underserved so that they can go and serve others.

Nina, 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?

This interview has come at an amazing time being I am at a very transitional stage in my life’s journey. Almost one year ago I decided to start over and really focus on what matters not only to me but for the better good of others. Yes, I became a minimalist and a nomad. (Van life downloading!) I gave up my luxuries and only focused on what I truly needed and / or wanted. Those items were more so keeping me versus me keeping them. That is a whole podcast episode!

Most would think I suffered a financial hardship or lost my mind and to answer the concerns yes and yes. I was tired of living and working just to finance a life that at the end of the day would die when I died. I decided to unlearn things I thought I knew about myself to truly learn the identity God intended me to have. This willingness to be vulnerable, uncomfortable, and detached led me to create and release gifts I always knew I had I just didn’t know how or what to do with them.

I have a podcast I would love for you all to check out called Nina’s Random Corner, it is available on a variety of platforms just google me, I’m out here LOL. I share not only my thoughts and experiences, but I give my heart in its rawest form to my listeners. Testimonials are a great way to help others know that they are not alone and that there is hope. If I wouldn’t have been willing to admit that I needed help and support with my podcast, which ironically is built to help others; it would not have ever happened.

I love how vulnerability births creativity!

Now I won’t lie, it was hard trying to figure out how to make this podcast happen and honestly, I almost quit several times and guess what I’m glad I didn’t because it led to the birthing of my second business. Brand Knew Corporate Living, a business built to help small businesses and entrepreneurs’ brand and market their passions, dreams, and gifts. My first question I ask any potential client is how can this help others, this alone sets my company apart from other branding companies. I want to educate others on the importance of servitude, if you have a business without a heart of servitude Then you are doing a disservice to others! To ensure they have the knowledge to help others I created several workshops centered around DEI, Mindsets, Customer Service, and Communications, which are available in-person and virtually.

I may not have thousands of followers or a blue check mark by my name, but that does not deprecate my value or the fact that I was created and released for this very time! Come fellowship with me friends and I promise the residue of change will rub off on you too and with enough rubbing I believe we can change the world.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Just because people think or see you a certain way doesn’t mean you have to be or stay that person.

I was a young mother and wasn’t provided with the basic necessities and knowledge I needed to make it in this cold world. I suffered greatly and unnecessarily, I never had the chance to be who I was. I had to conform to what society saw me as, cold, bitter, self-absorbed and broken, I could go on but I’m sure I am not the only one.
When you operate under those conditions with a broken mindsets you will enter a cyclical lifestyle never fully understanding your identity.

The moment I entered a place of self-discovery not only did I notice how DOPE I AM, but I also learned I was my greatest enemy.
I allowed people, experiences, and false the identity of who I wasn’t run my life for so long heck no wonder I suffered from PTSD and depression. MESSAGE!

Unlearn to learn who you really are, two identities can’t live in one stable mind. Now I will be honest without my strong relationship with God and a good therapist we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I am still digging, and my story is being written accordingly, not based on the ratings.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Passion without education is a hobby. I wanted to make sure that when serving the community, I had the knowledge to back up my passion. I took a DEI certification course with the University of Florida and at first, I just thought of this as a resume builder because what can they teach me that I have not already experienced. Yes, I know but let’s be honest how many of you have taken something just because it looked good on paper? That course changed my entire perspective of others, I was able to see what was missing versus what was missed.

I empathize with others because unvolunteered ignorance was unfairly passed out and who am I to judge.

Educate yourself with things that challenge what you think you know.

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Pablo Rivera

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Meet Nina Lewis

Meet Nina Lewis

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Nina, 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?

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

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