If you could create your own fantasy board of directors, who would be on it? CO— connects you with thought leaders from across the business spectrum and asks them to help solve your biggest business challenges. In this edition, we ask the founder of a community-oriented company to explain how to keep community at the core of your business.
In this edition of “Ask the Board,” we feature Gabriela Fiorentino, Founder of Nest Earth, a community-focused organization that helps parents create eco-conscious lifestyles. Fiorentino applies her background in environmental advocacy, architecture, and urban design to help parents create a green, nurturing, healthy home.
From Day 1, prioritizing community has been the core of how she builds and grows her business. Fiorentino shares her tips on how to keep your commitment to community alive.
Listen before leading
Community is not something you build for people. It is something you build with people. I spend time in direct conversation with parents and experts, listening to what feels overwhelming, what support they wish existed, and what would make life easier. Every workshop, resource, and event we create comes from those conversations.
Create spaces for connection, not just content
A lot of businesses focus on delivering information. At Nest Earth, I focus on creating spaces where people can connect with one another. Our online community, local meetups, and events are all designed to spark real relationships. People do not just come for a guide on nontoxic living. They come for the feeling of belonging and the friendships they build along the way.
Partner with aligned experts
Instead of trying to be the expert on everything, I bring together a circle of trusted professionals in wellness, sustainability, and parenting. This is its own community of vetted voices who want to support our parents with reliable information and services. It builds trust for families and creates authentic opportunities for the professionals. Collaboration always beats competition.
A lot of businesses focus on delivering information. At Nest Earth, I focus on creating spaces where people can connect with one another.Gabriela Fiorentino, Founder of Nest Earth
Keep things accessible
Sustainability often gets framed as something expensive or elitist. I work hard to strip away that barrier. By keeping Nest Earth free for parents, families can join without hesitation. Accessibility is a core value, and putting community first means making sure no one feels left behind.
Show up locally
Online platforms are powerful, but nothing replaces being face to face. We host local swap parties, snack meetups, and day retreats where families can learn, laugh, and support each other. It grounds the work in real neighborhoods and builds a ripple effect that is felt far beyond the event itself.
Model transparency
In a world full of greenwashing, parents are skeptical, and rightly so. I make it a point to be honest about what works, what does not, and what is still a work in progress. Community trust grows when people know you are willing to admit imperfection. It also invites them to share openly about their own journeys.
Focus on long-term impact
Every decision we make circles back to the question “Will this strengthen families and the planet in the long run?” This keeps us from chasing trends and instead invested in programs, relationships, and resources that will still matter years from now.
Celebrate wins, big and small
Parenting is hard. Building a sustainable life is hard. I believe in celebrating the small steps, such as switching to cloth napkins, planting pollinator flowers, or simply carving out space for self-care. Recognizing those wins together creates momentum and deepens the sense of community.
Putting community first is not just a philosophy for me, it is the only way I know how to build something that lasts. Nest Earth is proof that when people come together around shared values, they can create healthier homes, raise resilient children, and protect the planet for future generations.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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