At Nokomis Legal, we enjoy working with business owners who are building businesses that make a difference in their communities. In this client spotlight, we feature Lisa Mangelsdorf of Coven Northeast, who brings her background in education and passion for connection to creating a space where people feel welcome, supported, and free to be themselves. That spirit of welcome and care is central to the broader Coven community, too.
Building a Community Where Everyone Belongs
Lisa’s experience in education helped shape her approach to building The Coven. After spending 30 years in teaching, she understands that people have different needs, learning styles, and personalities. She wanted to create a space where people could be authentic and feel a genuine sense of belonging. That same commitment to welcoming people and helping them feel cared for is part of the Coven franchise’s broader mission.
Unlike a traditional coworking space focused primarily on providing a place to work, Coven Northeast intentionally puts community at the center. It connects members with one another and with neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and other local organizations to help strengthen the broader community.
For Lisa, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing those connections make a difference. Whether introducing members who can help one another professionally, connecting a nonprofit with a grant writer, or helping someone find new opportunities, she sees the value of creating a community where relationships can grow. She also recognizes how important having a shared workspace and a sense of connection can be, particularly after experiencing the isolation of working remotely during COVID.
Her hope is that anyone walking into Coven Northeast for the first time feels safe, welcomed, and cared for.
Working with Nokomis Legal
Lisa was referred to John Saunders by her commercial realtor, Johanna Hicks of Element, when she needed legal guidance for a commercial lease. As someone transitioning from teaching to business ownership, Lisa wanted an attorney who could help her navigate an unfamiliar process.
Lisa describes her experience with John and the Nokomis Legal team as fantastic. She appreciated John's thoughtful approach, the time he spent revising the lease, and his insights into the deal itself. Most importantly, he helped her understand the details of a 10-year lease and feel comfortable with the commitment she was making.
For Lisa, having a trusted legal partner was especially valuable as a new business owner. Understanding what she was signing gave her greater confidence as she moved forward with Coven Northeast.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Looking back on her entrepreneurial journey, Lisa's advice is simple: trust your gut. Starting something new can bring on feelings of self-doubt, but she encourages entrepreneurs to recognize that learning something new is a positive part of the process.
While financial success and profitability are important, Lisa believes the greater measure of success is the community she has helped create and the positive energy that will allow it to continue growing.
Thank you to Lisa Mangelsdorf for sharing her story and for creating a space at Coven Northeast that brings people together and helps strengthen the community.
