Meet Natarcia Codner | Co-founder & COO of Codner.co

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natarcia Codner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natarcia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our business helps the community and the world by helping families build generational wealth.

We built an e-commerce brand called Fresh Heritage. In just 3 months, we grew it to $60K in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and continued to scale it to a 7-figure brand while maintaining a 40%+ profit margin. Our success led to its acquisition in 4 years by Branded, a company specializing in acquiring businesses with annual revenues of $4 million or more.

A business is an asset and we wanted to show others that if we could sell our business, they could do it too. We realize it’s a far-fetched concept for a lot of founders but it’s possible and it’s a great tool for building financial freedom. If you take care of your business and run it in an efficient way with clear strategic direction, over time, it can appreciate in value. Even if founders don’t have the desire to sell, they would still create a desirable business for investors.

After our acquisition, we decided to help other e-commerce founders learn ways to build equity in their businesses. That’s when we created Codner.co, a solutions-oriented consulting firm that specializes in helping e-commerce founders turn their lifestyle brands into businesses people want to invest in or buy. We’ve partnered with the biggest names in e-commerce like Amazon and have been vetted by Shopify as 1 of 90 official Shopify instructors and mentoring partners worldwide.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is our genuine interest & concern for our clients. We see each of them as individuals with unique dreams and aspirations, not just faceless entities in the business world. We’re truly committed to helping them succeed in every facet of their lives, not just their business. In a crazy busy world, we know our founders need support not only professionally but emotionally and mentally too. We work with our founders 1:1 to unlock their potential and joy through our business and performance coaching sessions. In addition, being 1 of 90 official Shopify instructors and mentoring partners worldwide is what sets us apart from other e-commerce consulting companies.

I’m most excited and proud of the results our founders have. We’ve had clients on the verge of giving up on their business due to numerous challenges. We stepped in as mentors and coaches, helping them shift from a negative mindset to a more positive outlook. Some of the feedback I’m most proud of is, “This program has saved my marriage” and “I’ve been in therapy for 20 years and the performance coaching sessions are better than any therapy sessions I’ve had”. In addition to offering emotional and mental support, we provide them with practical tools and strategies that result in significant increases in their revenue and profitability. The majority of our clients have doubled their profits while working 20 hours less per week. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness their transformation and see them take care of both their business and personal needs.

I got to where I am today business-wise by leaning on faith to make really hard decisions and I am really big on personal development – finding ways to be better than I was yesterday.

I was a healthcare executive for about a decade, focusing on areas such as business development, team nurturing, and project management. I managed a team and led regional initiatives for over 140 people.

When I transitioned to the family business, we were on the brink of bankruptcy. In the first year, we increased our revenue by 500%. We worked tirelessly to implement new systems and processes, which streamlined our operations and significantly increased our efficiency. We also focused on assembling a highly skilled and dedicated team.

The transition to e-commerce was undoubtedly challenging. The biggest hurdle was the rapid learning curve and the humility required to acknowledge that I didn’t have all the answers. I leaned heavily on my husband & business partner’s e-commerce skillsets for guidance. We relied on other mentors to understand the intricacies of the industry, and yes, we made some mistakes along the way. However, those mistakes became invaluable learning experiences that ultimately improved our approach.

Transitioning from a high-paying corporate job to running a startup required me to set aside my ego. In the corporate world, everything is often structured and handed to you, whereas, in entrepreneurship, you learn and build as you go. It was crucial to understand that the pace and support in the entrepreneurial world are different. Embracing a mindset of taking full ownership of my actions, both successes and mistakes, has been instrumental in my journey.

Balancing work and personal life was indeed a challenge. We’ve implemented systems that allow us to keep them separate yet exciting. We’ve designated specific times for date nights and family activities, just as we have for our business responsibilities. It’s all about maintaining boundaries and mutual respect, which have been key to our success both personally and professionally.

I’d like the world to know that families can work together successfully when there is mutual respect and admiration. When everyone collaborates as a united team, the possibilities are limitless. I’ve learned that ego can be a significant roadblock to success. By shedding ego and judgment, and by maintaining a curious and open attitude towards learning, you can grow and thrive. Always hold yourself accountable for your actions and their outcomes; that’s the key to personal and professional growth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta for a week this is what we’d do:

Day 1: Embrace Nature

Morning: Grab a cup of BRASH coffee & head to Piedmont Park for a morning stroll.

Brunch/Lunch: Grab a bite at The Southern Gentleman. Then head to the spa.

Afternoon: Walk along the Beltline, exploring art installations and local culture along the way.

Evening: We would venture to the Chattahoochee River for a relaxing riverfront dinner at Canoe.

Day 2: Culinary Adventures

Breakfast: Begin our day with a delicious Southern breakfast at a cozy local spot like Folk Art.

Lunch: Explore the Krog Street Tunnel passageway filled with art.

Afternoon: Head to Barcelona for some early drinks and Spanish-inspired tapas.

Evening: Head to The Optimist, where they’re known for their seafood. We gotta get the Shrimp A La Plancha to start.

Day 3: Artistic Inspiration

Morning: We would head to the High Museum of Art where they have diverse exhibits and thought-provoking collections.

Lunch: A light lunch at the museum’s café, surrounded by art.

Afternoon: Check out The King Center, where the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. comes to life.

Evening: Head to Colony Square for dinner and drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband and business partner, Gamal Codner. He is a visionary who aspires to create a better world for everyone and by doing this, he inspires so many around him to lead responsibly with their whole heart, mind, and soul.

Website: Codner.co

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/natarciacodner