Today we’d like to introduce you to Joan Caroline Nelin.
Joan Caroline, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From Diamonds to Words – A Danish Entrepreneur’s Journey from Barcelona to Los Angeles
Originally from Denmark, I began my career in the jewelry industry and became a certified Diamond Grader from GIA in Carlsbad, California. Precision, beauty, and excellence were at the heart of everything I did.
In 2009, I moved to Barcelona with my son after finding love in Spain. I quickly discovered that diamonds were not in high demand among the Spanish population—but English certainly was.
I developed my own teaching method, built on creativity, repetition, small groups, and motivation, and began teaching both children and adults English. The results spoke for themselves: students learned faster, remembered more, and gained confidence in using the language.
Alongside my career in education, I transitioned into the IT sector, focusing on process optimization, customer experience, and efficiency improvements that created real business value.
When Covid changed the world, it also opened new opportunities. My teaching method gained recognition on social media and the demand for online Danish lessons grew rapidly, and that’s when Brain Biscuit was born — a creative, global language-learning platform designed to make learning Danish engaging and effective.
Recently, Brain Biscuit launched Ordjagten.com (“The Word Hunt”) — an interactive Danish game where learners find words across a grid, hear the pronunciation, read the word, and see which word class it belongs to. The goal is to make language learning fun, visual, and intuitive.
I have recently relocated to Los Angeles to be closer to my family — who mean the world to me. At the same time, I’m working on expanding Brain Biscuit to include more languages to Ordjagten.com (“The Word Hunt”), helping users around the globe learn languages in a joyful, motivation and playful way.
Whether it’s language, technology, or design, my passion remains the same: to find solutions and execute with creativity and heart.
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?
After earning my diamond degree, my passion and personality opened doors to a dream position in Copenhagen and later an opportunity in Antwerp. However, as a single mother, I decided to put my son first and stay close to him, which meant turning down the job offer — a decision that ultimately shaped the next chapter of my journey.
As a sole provider, stepping into the world of self-employment was not an easy decision. It demanded courage, consistency, and a deep belief in the value of what I was building. Yet the vision was clear: to create a language-learning experience that felt human, motivating, and personal. When interest in online Danish lessons grew faster than I had ever anticipated, it became an incredible opportunity — to teach Danish to students around the world, embrace the freedom of remote work, and continue doing what I love.
Creating Ordjagten.com has been an exciting journey — one that combines my love of languages, design, and creative problem-solving. But like any creative process that depends on collaboration, it hasn’t been without challenges. Developing a game requires coordination between designers, developers and sound experts, each working at their own pace. Sometimes, the speed of progress is beyond your control, and patience becomes part of the process.
For me, this has been a valuable reminder that innovation is rarely a straight line. It’s a rhythm — moments of fast movement followed by slower, more thoughtful refinement. Every delay or technical obstacle eventually leads to something better: sharper design, clearer user experience, and stronger collaboration.
Seeing Ordjagten.com come to life has been deeply rewarding. What began as a simple idea — to make language learning feel more like a game than a task — has grown into a tool that connects learners around the world. Watching people smile as they play and learn Danish reminds me that every creative challenge is just another word in the greater story of growth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Brain Biscuit?
Brain Biscuit: From Hobby to Global Language Learning Platform
Brain Biscuit began as a simple hobby — a creative outlet born from a love of teaching and connecting with people. Over time, it grew into a full-time business, reaching learners across continents and time zones.
No matter what I do, I always start by understanding the needs of the end user. Years of teaching have taught me one key lesson — learning only happens when students feel safe. That’s why Brain Biscuit focuses on small groups, creating an intimate and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions. In these settings, students aren’t afraid to make mistakes; they feel empowered to explore and grow.
Activity and engagement are at the heart of Brain Biscuit’s teaching method. When students are active participants rather than passive listeners, motivation increases — and so does their ability to communicate in a new language. Every class is led by a live, native-speaking teacher who is present, caring, and passionate about guiding learners on their journey. This personal connection is what truly sets Brain Biscuit apart.
Today, Brain Biscuit teaches across 16 different time zones, connecting students from all over the world. These global classrooms create bridges between cultures, where learners share not just words, but laughter, stories, and a sense of belonging.
In addition to live classes, Brain Biscuit also offers recorded lessons that allow learners to study at their own pace — an ideal option for busy students who value flexibility and consistency. You can learn more about the platform, explore courses, and join our global community at www.brainbiscuitlearning.com
From a small idea to a thriving platform, Brain Biscuit continues to grow with one goal in mind: to make language learning human, joyful, and full of heart.
What matters most to you? Why?
When I look back at my journey — from grading diamonds to creating a global language-learning platform — one thing has remained constant: the desire to bring value to people’s lives through creativity, connection, and care.
What matters most to me isn’t just building a successful business. It’s creating something meaningful — something that helps others grow, gain confidence, and feel seen. Whether it’s teaching a new language, designing a piece of jewelry, or developing an educational game, my focus is always on the person at the other end — the learner, the customer, the human being.
At Brain Biscuit, we believe that learning should be joyful, not stressful. Students should feel safe, supported, and motivated — never afraid to make mistakes. That’s why we keep our classes small, our teachers live and engaging, and our approach creative and personal. Learning a new language is not only about words; it’s about connection, courage, and curiosity.
As a single mother and entrepreneur, I know how important it is to stay grounded in what truly matters: integrity, kindness, and perseverance. Every decision I make — from designing a game to teaching and hiring teachers — comes back to those values.
Seeing students from around the world connect through language, sharing laughter and progress across 16 time zones, is the greatest reward of all. It reminds me why I started — and why I continue.
At the end of the day, what matters most is not the scale of success, but the impact we leave behind. Helping others learn, grow, and believe in themselves — that’s the real treasure.
Explore our recorded classes and sign up for live sessions at www.brainbiscuitlearning.com or enjoy Ordjagten.com (“The Word Hunt”).
Where learning is creative, human, and fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brainbiscuitlearning.com + www.ordjagten.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainbiscuit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/101406427/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brainbiscuitlearning888
Image Credits
Frank Fastner
