Picture three people from completely different backgrounds coming together with nothing but a shared vision and unwavering determination. Fast forward eighteen months, and we’re about to launch an app that will change everything for Black entrepreneurs across North America. This is a testament to what happens when purpose meets persistence, when diverse minds unite, and when we refuse to let obstacles define our destiny.
As The Nod App officially launches on June 25th, 2025, we are ready to share the raw truth about our journey; the sleepless nights, the breakthrough moments, and the revelations that ultimately made us stronger.
Sochi: Finding Strength Beyond Logic
Juggling full-time motherhood, my event planning business, and building The Nod simultaneously has pushed me to my limits. Most days felt overwhelming. But somewhere in the chaos, I discovered something incredible about the nature of purpose-driven work.
There were nights I worked until 3 AM on The Nod, knowing I’d be up at 6 AM with my kids. Logic said I should quit, but I was strengthened by the Almighty to keep going.
As we’ve continued on this journey, I’ve learnt that value alignment is indispensable among business partners. I’ve been blessed with this team because we share the same core beliefs about what we’re building and why it matters. When you’re aligned at that level, you can weather any storm together.
Now, as we move forward, I’m channelling this understanding into scaling The Nod’s impact, ensuring every decision reflects the values that sustained us through the hardest moments.
Levar: Discovering Your Real Tribe
For many, their tribe is predetermined by geography, family, and shared background. This journey completely shattered that assumption. Your tribe isn’t who you grew up with. They’re the people who share your vision and push you toward your potential. Sometimes they don’t look like you or speak your language, but when you find them, everything clicks. You have to be intentional about seeking these connections.
The truth is that not everyone travels the full journey with you. Some people hop off at different stations, and that’s okay. What matters is honouring their contribution while understanding that growth sometimes requires difficult transitions.
Now, I’m applying these insights to build an authentic community within The Nod, creating spaces where users find their tribes based on shared ambitions rather than surface similarities. As a result, The Nod App reflects this understanding that meaningful connections transcend surface-level commonalities.
Ikenna: Leading Through Diversity
Leading the team at The Nod over the past year has been an incredible journey of growth, resilience, and learning. As an immigrant who has been in Canada for just four years, navigating the transition from an entrepreneurial background to leading a structured team has been both challenging and rewarding.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to balance different leadership styles. I have always been driven by goals and outcomes, often seeing the destination more clearly than the step-by-step process to get there. But leading a team that is entrepreneurial yet accustomed to structure has required me to refine how I guide, communicate, and support different personalities and experiences. Our team represents diverse backgrounds and faiths. Working closely within this small unit has taught me the importance of embracing both structure and flexibility.
Many people believe Black professionals can’t work together effectively or sustain what we build. We’re proving otherwise every day. When you lead with intention and invest in who people are becoming, not just what they deliver, you create something lasting. This experience taught me that representation matters deeply.
We’re not just building an app, we’re setting a foundation for what our community can follow, showing how to attract wealth, keep it, and pass it to future generations.
Fear sees obstacles, but faith recognizes opportunities. Building The Nod required believing in something bigger than immediate results. It demanded vision for what Black entrepreneurship could become with the right support. This understanding that character-based leadership creates stronger foundations than purely performance-driven approaches has become central to how I approach leadership.
The Beginning of Something Bigger
The Nod represents hope. Hope that Black businesses can find the support they need to flourish. Hope that our communities can build lasting wealth together. Hope that when diverse minds unite around a shared purpose, extraordinary things happen.
As The Nod App launches, we’re proving that when you combine vision with values, when you choose character over convenience, and when you refuse to let obstacles define your destiny, you create something that lasts.
