Nahamani Yisrael

Be authentic, each person has their own story to share. Celebrate your uniqueness and create a safe space for others to do the same.

 

Nahamani Yisrael is a Cincinnati, Ohio native. She graduated from Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts where she majored in Technical Theater. She studied computer programming and Pre-business management at Cincinnati State. She later went on to graduate Cum Laude from Xavier University.

Nahamani Yisrael launched Nahamani.org in November 2014. Nahamani.org offers public relations management, web site design and development and management consulting to business and non-profit agencies. Nahamani is also a founding member of Hertime Women’s Social Club, LTD. where she serves as the Director of Support Services.
Nahamani is the producer of the television show, On The Line with Britton NewOne Carter and has recently been involved with 3 films produced here in the Cincinnati area including The Public, an Emilio Estevez film, Grandpa, a Robert Jones film and most recently Sometimes She Bites, A Lee Zellars Film.

In addition to her efforts to create cutting edge communications for her client’s at Nahamani.org, Nahamani is an Ice House Entrepreneurship Program facilitator at Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative. Through the Ice House training she teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to think entrepreneurially. This mindset training curriculum, created by Elilearning.com helps individuals look at their business as a solution to society’s problems.

Nahamani has recently joined forces with West End Area Revitalization Enterprises, LTD. in an effort to spur economic growth in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The group’s efforts to enhance the quality of life in this historic neighborhood rehabilitation of blighted homes and construction management training for underserved members of the West End neighborhood.

Nahamani serves on the board for Bethany House Services, a non-profit organization seeking to end family homelessness in Greater Cincinnati. She is a graduate of the 2018 New Faces of Fundraising, an initiative of the Association for Fundraising Professionals to increase diversity among fundraising professionals.

Nahamani is a mother of two extraordinary young people. She spends her free time with her family and working out.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I created the brand Nahamani.org many years before I officially launched the business. My name in Hebrew translates to “Compassionate Leader”. I began branding myself as a leader and exposing myself to leadership opportunities. When I was nearing graduation from Xavier University I had old clients reaching out to have me help them with various initiatives and project-based assignments. I decided it was time to launch Nahamani.org and begin offering the world what it needed most, more Nahamani.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I start my day by working out with my personal training, sometimes as early as 6am. From there I take a break to handle my motherly duties, getting my daughter up for school. I typically check my social media accounts and begin meeting with clients around 9am each day. I set aside 1-2 hours per day to write and do content development for clients. Late afternoons are when I run most of my errands and start dinner before my “2nd shift” where I meet with clients who work during the day and crank out website and PR work.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Ideas start with a vision usually while I am working out or driving. As the vision becomes clearer, I start incorporating individuals who can help me bring the vision to life. I then start mapping out the process on paper so that by the time I meet with the key players I am able to communicate the idea most effectively.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Right now the Influencer Marketing trend is huge. I have been doing a lot of research and writing on the topic in an effort to help others understand how it works and how they can leverage their influence to grow their business, brands and their strategic partner’s business and brands.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I am strategic about the connections that I make at networking events. When I meet new people I set their business cards aside and send them a quick introductory email clarifying how I think we can best work together.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I wish that I could tell my younger self to embrace obstacles and look at them as opportunities for growth. Sometimes we spend too much energy trying to avoid obstacles when most times they are not avoidable.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Everyone’s perspective should be valued. I am big on engaging all stakeholders in the decision making process. Quite often leaders overlook their subordinate’s opinion on matters, but this practice leads to resentments and feelings of being underappreciated.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Self evaluation, I am constantly looking at improving my skills through professional development and gathering feedback from those closest to me. If I am not able to see where my shortcoming lies then I cannot work on improving in those areas.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Being my authentic self, I am a one-of-a-kind and I celebrate my quirkiness and uniqueness at every opportunity. By being myself in various situations, I unintentionally inspire others to do the same. This has helped me build more meaningful relationships with my client base.
Having a service-based business is all about relationships and referrals. Many of my clients have evolved into friends and extended family, which makes it second nature for them to refer me to their friends and business associates.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

When I closed my first business, CyberCreations Design Center, I felt as if I had failed. I felt ashamed and never thought I would put myself out there again. In 2005, I went back to work in Corporate America and it took me 12 years to build up my self confidence and become a full-time entrepreneur again. When I first started Nahamani.org, it started out as more of a side-hustle, but eventually word of mouth spread and before I knew it I had customers lining up to work with me. In 2017, I took another leap of faith and walked away from my corporate job. My business has continued to grow. Of course there are challenging days, but overall I am glad to be able to use my skills to help others.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

One idea for a new business venture would be to have a better way to monitor internet mentions. Right now we have Google Alerts, but it doesn’t always capture the pertinent data in real time. I would love to get a notification on my phone every time I am mentioned in a news article or blog post.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently ordered new head shots for my business. I am really excited to use these images to take my brand to the next level. The last time I had professional head shots done was before I launched my business. It was definitely time to refresh my look.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I use Hootsuite a lot. I handle social media for multiple businesses and brands. Hootsuite allows me to work ahead and schedule my client’s social media post in advance. Whenever I am waiting in line or have idle time I will crank out a few post and then each Sunday I go and plan out the week’s social media.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Who Owns The Ice House? by Clifton Talbert and Gary Schoeniger

In this book, Clifton tells readers how his Uncle Cleves prepared him for life as a successful entrepreneur using 8 principles. When one learns to apply these principles to their business and professional life, something magical happens.

What is your favorite quote?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
Maryann Williamson

Key Learnings:

• Be authentic, each person has their own story to share. Celebrate your uniqueness and create a safe space for others to do the same.
• Business owners should take superb care of themselves. Your clients and employees are relying on you to perform at your best. This includes physical and mental health. It is okay to not be okay, but it is not okay to not get help.
• Plan ahead! Use your time and resources wisely. If you have downtime, use it to prepare for the busy times ahead.

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