Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Fiorentino. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Nicole, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
From the time I was a small child I have always been obsessed with animals. I didn’t grow up on a farm but you would think I did because we had ALL the animals we could possibly fit in our house/yard! My Dad fostered my love for animals and would put me in charge of caring for many of them. I had other regular chores and responsibilities but this never felt like a chore to me. I loved it so it came easy and naturally. Music was my other passion so I always said when I grew up I was going to be a rock star AND a vet. My parents fully supported me and always encouraged me to go for my dreams, no matter how big. I never really thought of these dreams as my purpose so much as I just loved to care for animals and I loved playing music and knew Iwould continue to feel this way always, regardless of what I chose to do “for a living”. my motto has always been “do what you love and the money will follow”. I always had side jobs to support myself of course, but eventually I was able to make careers out of the two things I love most in this world. I feel very lucky for that!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Since I moved to LA in 2000, I have been a working musician. I started in a local band called Radio Vago and opened for bands such as The Mars Volta, Sleater Kinney, The Gossip, The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and many more. in 2006 I started playing for Veruca Salt, touring all over and playing on their 4th studio album VSIV. In 2008 I met Brody Dalle of the Distillers and was quickly asked to join her new band Spinnerette. I toured with them for about a year and 1/2 before meeting Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and joining them for worldwide touring. I also played bass on their album Oceania which came out in 2012. I was with SP until 2014 at which point I felt I needed to reassess whether or not I saw myself as a lifer in the touring world. Believe it or not I’m actually quite a homebody and it had been a long time since I felt grounded. In between all of this touring I made money by pet sitting, either on my own or for other established companies. I knew my next venture would involve pets in some capacity and since I had so much experience in the pet sitting world already I decided it was time to start my own company. So in 2015 I started The Pet Groupies all on my own. I had to give it a name that some how tied in my music life so I chose to go the groupie route! as in we are the groupies to the pets! Almost everyone I hire is a creative type, either a musician/artist/actor/writer etc. 9 years later I have 27 amazing folks who work for me. Not only did we make it through the pandemic but we are thriving and busier than ever! I continue to play music but I have a lot more balance now. Last year and this year I toured with Louise Post of Veruca Salt for her solo record Sleepwalker. I’ve also been doing a lot of work in the animal rescue world, volunteering for the North Central Animal Shelter as well as arranging adoption events for Watts Project dog rescue. I am currently fostering 6 kittens in my home in Portland where I recently moved. I will soon be opening The Pet Groupies PDX as well as continuing to run the business in LA remotely with the help of of my amazing managers! I am beyond grateful that I have been able to and continue do what I love for a living. I am walking proof that if you do what you love the money will follow.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think for me it is not getting too comfortable. There is always room for growth and knowledge. with music I have always continued to practice, never getting to the point where I felt it was enough or I was “done”. it’s never enough, there will always be room for improvement. and with my business I continue to meet other small business owners and learn from them. we learn from each other I think. constantly bouncing ideas around and helping to keep one another engaged. I am part of two facebook groups called Los Angeles Inspired Women and Queer business collective. It’s been such an amazing space for me to challenge myself and not become stagnant. I think it’s really important to never get to a place where you feel like there’s no room for growth. it’s that headspace that causes businesses/artists/anything to go under because if you have nothing new to offer then how do you stay competitive within your market? How do you keep fans interested and coming back? so my advice is just don’t get cocky. keep learning stuff!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Both of my parents always assured me that I could do whatever I wanted with my life and that they would always stand behind me. I have had so many ups and downs because I chose two paths that happen to be very challenging! anything creative and /or small business is really not for the faint of heart. But that didn’t matter because my parents always reminded me that it’s better to try and to fail then to be left with the nagging thought of “what if?” And so I tried. and I failed. many times. and I tried again and again. And then I succeeded. and will fail again at something else! And I will always keep trying!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepetgroupies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepetgroupies/?hl=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pet-groupies-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/xocoleyf/?hl=en
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