Conversations with Ena “Nicole” Binns

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ena “Nicole” Binns.

Hi Ena, 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.
After years of praying, believing, and hoping, I was finally pregnant! It was 2009, and no words could describe the joy I felt. I was going to be a Mom! No title or job promotion could compare. But, pretty early on, I felt something was off. I was sick all the time, had unbearable headaches and was extremely swollen way too soon. At just 6 months, after a rush to the hospital and a near-fatal experience, my son, “Priest” was born. Weighing only 1 ½ pounds, Priest amazed the doctors with his journey! He was a fighter! Every day of life was a gift. However, after 9 months, his fight came to an end. The pain was insurmountable. Everything reminded me of Priest and moments we would never have. I thought life was over. But I was wrong. And it was my faith that helped me walk into the next season.

Through my traumatic experience, I realized that there were many people who needed to feel God’s redemptive love and know that in spite of life’s storms, they had a purpose! I was able to realize the pain I experienced didn’t change my destiny, it qualified it. When we see limitations, God sees possibilities! That’s how Projekt One Five (PO5) was born. A Christian leadership organization that uses community and connection to help others to press beyond life’s challenges and embrace God’s purpose in their lives. We want people to know they matter to God, and they have a destiny to fulfill!

With a special focus on women and young adults, PO5 has initiatives to support individuals in their personal growth and leadership development. The STIIR Program, designed to support Young Adults (YAs) in crisis, offers both financial and enrichment support. In two years, we’ve awarded 19 scholarships to YAs who are Foster Care Alumni and/or survivors of trafficking, abuse, and homelessness. STIIR Scholarships are “not your average scholarships.” Our scholarships aren’t based on academics or merit but on hardship and crisis. Each recipient receives a $500 monetary stipend, a VIP Day including a salon/barber visit with lunch, and a host of gift cards. To further connect with the YA community, we launched a Podcast, The STIIR Up, to inspire and motivate healthy life choices, and an annual STIIR Summit, that provides a platform to hear real stories from trauma survivors and learn about resources available to YAs in need.

Girls, Brunch & God! (GBG) is our women’s leadership network that provides both large and intimate settings for women to connect and collaborate. Through networking, inspiration, and empowerment, GBG encourages women to continually evolve in all areas of their life. Events include an Annual Brunch, small group connections, and various events. In 2022, we launched Projekt C.A.R.E. (Community Action to Rally Education and Empower). Through this program, we utilize fundraisers, volunteer initiatives, and other supports to partner and provide assistance to Women and Young Adults trauma survivors of trafficking, homelessness, abuse, and other crises.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The life of an entrepreneur is definitely not a smooth road! I’ve fallen flat on my face so many times! I had to learn the importance of community! I was kinda stubborn! I didn’t like to ask for help and didn’t want to admit when I had a bad idea! So, there were plenty of times, I stayed down longer than I had to! Lol! But not anymore! I’m so thankful for my husband and the amazing team I get to link arms with every day to impact lives!! God made us be relational! No one person has it all!

Other lessons for me included realizing that I could learn as much from mistakes as I could when everything went well. I also had to accept and realize that if Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither can a business. Just because I could see the vision didn’t mean I got to skip the hard process of growing and building it. It takes faith to start and patience to see it through.

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Our long-term vision for Projekt One Five includes the establishment of a Wellness Center for young adults and women that will provide free onsite counseling, a Chapel for spiritual mentorship, a salon for beauty and grooming services, and other personal development supports. Our vision is that the Projekt One Five Wellness Center will be a platform to address emotional, physical, and spiritual needs while connecting individuals with community resources and other safe havens. I also hope to enlarge our STIIR Scholarship program so that we can expand our reach by touching more lives and making larger smiles.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.projektonefive.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projektonefive/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Projekt-One-Five-100111258928017
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@projektonefive1493
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1v1wMuqlicjS6rXoy0mmch?si=i1bTeh-TRkugrmvH20BUkQ