Life & Work with Dr Cortesha Cowan of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Cortesha Cowan.

Hi Dr Cortesha , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began with a passion for serving others long before I ever became a business coach or nonprofit leader. As a former teen mom, I experienced firsthand the challenges of trying to build a stable future while raising a child. Those experiences shaped my heart for helping women, families, and entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and create lasting change.

In 2006, I founded Mothers Helping Mothers Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, with a mission to support mothers facing homelessness, poverty, and other life challenges. Over the years, the organization has expanded into Georgia and internationally, providing resources, mentorship, education, and hope to thousands of families.

Professionally, I’ve spent more than 26 years in childcare and human services, helping launch and strengthen over 140 childcare programs while mentoring aspiring business owners and nonprofit leaders. That experience eventually led me to become The Business Birthing Coach, where I help visionaries transform God-given ideas into sustainable businesses, nonprofits, and community initiatives.

My journey hasn’t been without hardship. I’ve experienced personal loss, financial challenges, and seasons where I had to rebuild from the ground up. Instead of allowing those moments to define me, they strengthened my faith and deepened my commitment to serving others. Today, every program I build, every entrepreneur I coach, and every mother I encourage is rooted in the belief that purpose can be born even from life’s most difficult seasons.

Looking back, I realize my story has never been about simply building organizations it has always been about building people, creating opportunities, and leaving a legacy of hope for future generations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, my journey has been anything but easy. Building an organization from the ground up has required countless sacrifices, long hours, and unwavering faith. There were seasons when funding was limited, resources were scarce, and I questioned how I would continue serving the families who depended on us.

Personally, I’ve faced significant hardships, including the heartbreaking loss of both of my parents to lung disease and cancer just two years apart my mother in 2022 and my father in 2024. Walking through that grief while continuing to lead organizations, mentor others, and support my own family tested my resilience in ways I never imagined.

I’ve also learned that leadership comes with difficult decisions, setbacks, and moments when not everyone understands your vision. There have been financial challenges, closed doors, and times when I had to pivot and rebuild. Rather than seeing those moments as failures, I’ve chosen to view them as opportunities to grow stronger, become more innovative, and deepen my faith.

One lesson I’ve carried throughout my journey is that success isn’t measured by how few obstacles you face; it’s measured by your willingness to keep moving forward despite them. Every challenge has strengthened my purpose and reinforced my commitment to helping others build businesses, nonprofits, and lives that create lasting impact. Today, when I encourage someone else not to give up, it’s because I’ve had to live that lesson myself.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear several hats, but at the heart of everything I do is one mission: helping people turn obstacles into opportunities. I am the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Mothers Helping Mothers Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering mothers, children, and families through mentorship, education, workforce development, and supportive services. I also serve as The Business Birthing Coach, where I help aspiring entrepreneurs, childcare professionals, and nonprofit founders transform their ideas into sustainable organizations that create lasting community impact.

With more than 26 years of experience in childcare, human services, leadership, and business development, I specialize in helping people move from vision to execution. Whether I’m coaching someone through launching a business, strengthening a nonprofit, navigating compliance, or connecting families with critical resources, my passion is seeing people succeed beyond what they thought was possible.

What I’m most proud of is the lives that have been transformed through the work. Over the years, I’ve helped launch more than 140 childcare programs, mentored countless entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, and built programs that have supported thousands of women and families. Seeing someone gain confidence, create financial stability, or discover their purpose is far more rewarding than any title or award.

I believe what sets me apart is that I don’t just teach business I teach purpose. My coaching combines practical strategy, leadership development, and a heart for service. Everything I do is rooted in the belief that success should create opportunities not only for yourself but also for your community. My goal has never been simply to build successful organizations; it’s to build leaders who leave a lasting legacy of impact, hope, and service.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that has been the foundation of my success, it would be perseverance. There have been many moments when it would have been easier to give up whether facing personal loss, financial challenges, or the obstacles that come with building businesses and nonprofit organizations from the ground up. Instead, I chose to keep moving forward.

Perseverance has taught me that setbacks are not the end of the story; they’re opportunities to grow, adapt, and become stronger. Combined with my faith, a servant’s heart, and a commitment to lifelong learning, it has allowed me to continue pursuing my purpose even when the path wasn’t clear.

I also believe that true success isn’t just about personal achievements it’s about the impact you leave on others. Every challenge I’ve overcome has made me a better leader, coach, and mentor, enabling me to encourage others to believe in themselves and pursue the vision they’ve been called to fulfill.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drcorteshacowan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.corteshacowan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.CoachCowan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cortesha-cowan-2b257437/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcorteshacowan
• Other: https://linktr.ee/dr.corteshacowan