Meet Mina Adu of Connect For Change in Lawreceville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mina Adu.

Mina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Connect for Change started as a dream. I just couldn’t understand why in spite of me doing all the right things I still couldn’t get my life where I want it to be. One day in my sleep I heard these words vividly” connect for change” I woke up and somehow knew that was the missing piece. If only I knew who to connect with, I could achieve my goals in life. I wondered how many people have innovative ideas but do not know who and how to realize their potential in life? I shared the thought with my pastor who is also my mentor; he immediately pulled likeminded people together to establish the organization. Right after the launch in Dec 2010 all the individuals who helped me with the startup of the organization came up with excuses and left me to myself. I was faced with whether to continue with this organization or just close it down.  Notwithstanding, there was this small voice within telling me daily that you were born for this, don’t look back, keep at it.

By God’s grace, I pulled myself together and planned the event. I invited speakers, I rented a conference hall at the Marriott hotel and passed out flyers not knowing who will attend. It did not take long one after the other people stated trouping in. The room seating 80 chairs was filled to capacity. My faith grew from taking my eyes off the challenges around me and following the voice that I heard in the first place.

Every quarter as we organize our business networking and entrepreneurial forums, we saw our membership grow bigger and bigger. Today Connect for Change has a platform mentoring Young Adults. We are also licensed with the John Maxwell Team, teaching leadership and adding value to people. Visit our website www.iconnect4change.org  and see the number of life’s we are impacting, destinies that have been unleashed and books that are written as a result of this dream.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Things were not easy at the beginning. As is said, nothing greater comes on a silver platter. Many times I found myself alone because my helpers could not see what I see. There were times that I was up front speaking to the audience and yet with my eyes was looking around to see what needs to be done. I was faced with whether to do everything all by myself or take the time to teach them what to do. Then there is the finance part. The ones who are so crazy about the event didn’t have the money to support me. I ended up using all my saving from another business to fund this one. To add to that, friends that I thought would support me, bonded together to boycott the event. I constantly had to remember the voice that first spoke to me. All throughout I knew it was a test to prove if I was truly called for this. Other people who knew the idea also took it and started something similar. I had to learn to keep my focus against all odds on a daily basis. It is doable.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Connect for Change is a non-profit organization that helps individuals unleash their destinies in life. It was launched in Dec 2010 and has since offered business entrepreneurial forums, booth camps, networking events and business seminars every quarter. In collaboration with the Gwinnett County Small Business Association (sbdc) C4C as we normally call the organization has together empowered many individuals and organizations to discover their purpose of existence.

As the CEO of this organization, I set the tone for the day. Using my leadership skills in coaching, teaching and speaking with the John Maxwell team, I challenge everyone by modeling the change I teach.
As a pastor I am able to touch the core of the individual through my gifts, I mentor, help and uplift individuals to the place they need to be.

Our pride is the positive testimonials that we hear daily from those who have suddenly discovered their passion and started their own business.  The ones who been through our mentoring and teaching sessions having a positive look in life and then our young adults who have started giving back to the community through volunteering  opportunities. This makes us feel on top of our game.

What sets us apart are the connections, the time and patience we take to walk with individuals every step of the way until the dream becomes a reality.

What were you like growing up?
I was a middle child who never got pampered and so to get what I want I developed the spirit of tenacity.  I learned to be persistent and not to depend on others. I started selling during my teenage years so that I can buy and enjoy what I want. Challenges gave me the opportunity to see things differently and so I don’t give up easily. I learnt to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I love to share with others whenever I have something in hand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iconnect4change.org
• Phone: 678-310-4431
• Email: iconnect4change@gmail.com
• Facebook: Mina Adu
• Twitter: Connect 4 Change@connect4_change

Image Credit:
Ms Stella Pinewood
Ms Gina Ghansah
Ms Phyllis Adu
Alex Boateng
Prisca Maison

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