We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Corey Nicholas Collins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Corey Nicholas below.
Corey Nicholas, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Great question, At the core of what I believe is my optimism lies the profound influence of my ecosystem and network. My family, friends, classmates, and the multitude of individuals whose relentless dedication has woven together the plethora of opportunities that have led to my success so far. Rather it be my grandfather’s life lessons of hard work, or my daughter’s continued display of resilience, witnessing their efforts provide me the energy, fuel, and more important optimism to remain steadfast towards my goals.
I also feel, that my optimism is rooted in the recognition that while my education and talent brings much to the table, their impact pales in comparison to the transformative influence of cultivating meaningful connections and alliances. Understanding the symbiotic relationship between individual prowess and collective support underscores the importance of fostering genuine relationships and nurturing networks, similar to what me and my business partners seek to do with our group Playfessionals. It is through these relationships that I find solace in the knowledge that, together, we can surmount any obstacle and reach unprecedented heights of achievement.
I also believe my optimism is kindled by the realization that life affords us only a single opportunity many times, with no guarantees of tomorrow. Embracing this truth gives that sense of urgency and purpose, compelling me and I believe others to approach every endeavor with unwavering determination. The timeless tale of being mere inches from the brink of success, highlighted in the story of being three feet from gold (one of my favorite Napoleon Hill stories by the way), serves as an easy reminder that perseverance in the face of adversity often leads to our most profound successes. If we can get up every morning, motivated by the potential of success, that fuel, juice or whatever you may call it, can lead us to unwavering resilience and dedication to seeing our even loftiest goals being realized through that optimism.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Originally from the inner city of Milwaukee Wisconsin, I’ve always had a passion for design. At the age of 7, I remember helping my grandfather with some repairs around the duplex and asking him if I wanted to do this for a living what would I do. His response was to be an “architect”. Over time I learned what an architect does and that my grandad may not have had the best pronunciation of the word but knew which direction to point his grandson. Followed by a degree in Architecture from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee Alabama, overtime I learned and honed my passion for design, the built environment and presentation.
Over the last 20+ years I’ve had the pleasure of running a few companies that are holistically connected in the design and entrepreneurial ecosystem. First through my company Cordavii Brand Consulting. With Cordavii, I function as a Brand Consultant and designer, providing a one stop shop for entrepreneurs, individuals and companies looking to build and grow their business or brand. While this effort originally started out as a graphic design company offering to help provide companies with a more professional brand, this holistic approach to branding morphed into a soup to nuts solution for brand development. The biggest thing that we are proud of is creating a holistic approach to the brand development through design and being able to provide a series of services including brand strategy, brand development, graphic design, website design, photography & video, real estate, and implementation services under one roof.
I have also been blessed to partner with two other individuals to found Playfessionals, a lifestyle company, designed to connect professionals with business by curating exceptional networking events and experiences that every professional would love to attend. Started in 2009 in Minneapolis, we are proud to have been able to bring events to the Houston Texas Market and look forward to further expansion in other US cities and international markets.
Lastly, I also host a yearly men’s retreat called the Masterminded Conference as a respite for like minded men who try to balance their professional and family life. This experience allows for all attendees to take a few days out for fellowship and to focus on their goals, pursuits in a safe environment of communication and growth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey towards growth, i’ve found resilience stands out as a fundamental pillar, complemented by the ability to swiftly adapt and maintain focus on my overarching goal. When tough times come, which can happen if you’re trying to accomplish anything great, it’s the resilience that keeps me moving forward with optimism, and the main goal at hand.
Secondly, it’s essential to prioritize and consistently align every decision with the central objective. Any deviation from this focus risks derailing my progress and diluting all my efforts.
Last, my capacity to promptly pivot and gain any insights from setbacks is paramount. Though failure may be discouraging, it always offers invaluable lessons for me. Embracing these lessons and pivoting more importantly with intention is a great skill to have on any journey.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m always looking for other business owners, entrepreneurs and creatives to connect with, share ideas and even partner on projects. I feel like success comes in the form of always learning, whether it be in school or on the job and have found the most joyous times of this learning with other professionals, who have a passion for design, creativity and connecting with others. Many of my clients who are looking to start brands, or grow an existing brand or even build a new business not only our clients, but become collaborators. Which is a fun experience all in itself. Growing your network can be fun while growing your brand along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cordaviibrands.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cordaviibrands/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycollins/
Image Credits
Moda Photography. Dino Images.
