Meet Nicole Lopez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

How I Became a Risk-Taker: The Strength My Mother Saw Before I Did

People often ask me how I developed my ability to take risks—how I leap when others hesitate, how I keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned. The truth is, I wasn’t born fearless. I became fearless by learning how to turn every mistake, every heartbreak, every wrong turn into fuel.

My mother was the first person to recognize it in me. She would tell me, “You have something different—you try things people are afraid to attempt.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant. I was just being me: strong, consistent, determined. But looking back, I see she was right. I’ve always had this inner fire that pushes me to step into the unknown, even when the path looks uncertain.

My strength as a risk-taker didn’t come from easy wins—it came from the moments that knocked the wind out of me. When life hit hard, I didn’t just bounce back; I dissected the entire experience. I taught myself to sit with every emotion: the good, the bad, the ugly, the painful, the disappointing, and the supportive. I analyze everything—what I felt, why I reacted, what I overlooked, and what I could’ve done differently. For people that don’t understand me and don’t accept the bold energy it comes with maybe too much for them for me the power of communication and understanding leads to so much more than the success and it’s risk taking and everything from family, friends, business And every aspect of life.

Some people spiral downward when things go wrong. I spiral inward. I reflect. I replay the situation in my mind, not to punish myself, but to understand myself. I break it down piece by piece until the lesson becomes undeniable. Then I take that lesson and turn it into direction, strength, and clarity.

That’s where my risk-taking ability comes from:
the courage to confront my own mistakes, learn from them, and still move forward with confidence.

Instead of letting fear stop me, I let experience guide me. Instead of avoiding discomfort, I use it as data. I avoid what drained me, I release what misled me, and I grow from what challenged me.

Every risk I’ve taken has shaped me into who I am—resilient, intuitive, intentional, and unapologetically bold. My willingness to step into the unknown isn’t about chasing danger; it’s about chasing growth. It’s about trusting that even if I fall, I’ll rise with new wisdom and a sharper vision.

I’m not afraid to take risks because I’ve proven to myself, over and over again, that I can learn, adapt, and transform. My mistakes didn’t break me—they built me. And that’s the foundation of every bold move I make. One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite inspirations mentors “Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

“Don’t die with your music still in you.” 

“Listen to your intuitive inner voice and find what passion stirs your soul. When you do this … you make a living at it.”

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As the Founder of Mama Chea Cafe and Forage Earth & Ocean, two mission-driven brands dedicated to raising the standard for plant-based nutrition and better-for-you foods.

Mama Chea Cafe is a vegan, gluten-free café located in Davie, FL, offering clean, functional meals, fresh juices, smoothies, and better-for-you comfort foods. Our focus is simple: high-quality ingredients, consistency, and a welcoming community space. Everything we make is built on the belief that healthy food should be accessible, flavorful, and created with integrity.

Forage Earth & Ocean extends that mission by offering wellness products, botanical foods, sea moss gels, and clean ingredient formulations, all shipped nationwide. The brand emphasizes transparency, quality sourcing, and nutrient-dense formulations designed to support everyday wellness. Each product is created with a science-based, results-driven approach while still honoring whole-food, natural ingredients.

What excites me most is the impact these brands have on people who are seeking healthier options without compromising taste or quality. Both platforms allow us to provide education, access, and better choices—whether someone is visiting our café locally or ordering wellness products from across the country.

We also have several new developments underway, including product expansions, continued national shipping growth, and community-focused events that support our goal of making plant-based living more approachable and enjoyable.

To learn more:
Mama Chea Cafe: www.mamacheacafe.com
Forage Earth & Ocean: www.forageearthocean.com

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, strategic discipline, and intuitive decision-making.

1. Resilience
Entrepreneurship requires the ability to recover quickly, adapt, and stay steady through change. Challenges are guaranteed, but resilience allows you to keep moving with clarity rather than fear.
Advice: Build resilience by treating every setback as information. Reflect, adjust, and keep going. Progress is in the response, not the circumstance.

2. Strategic Discipline
Consistency and structure are what turn ideas into growth. Whether it’s operations, product development, or customer experience—discipline maintains quality and momentum.
Advice: Set clear systems early. Create routines, checklists, and standards that you commit to daily. Discipline compounds faster than motivation.

3. Intuitive Decision-Making
Data and strategy are important, but intuition is what keeps your decisions aligned with your values and long-term vision. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, especially when building brands rooted in integrity and quality.
Advice: Spend time understanding your own voice. Reflect, observe patterns, and learn from your experiences. The more you trust yourself, the faster you’ll make aligned decisions.

Overall, these three qualities have shaped how I lead, build, and grow. My advice for anyone starting their journey: stay resilient, stay consistent, and trust the instincts that make your path unique.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m open to partnering with restaurants, grocery stores, cafés, and food distributors, vegan or non-vegan, who are committed to clean, safe, and high-quality ingredients. My mission with Mama Chea Cafe and Forage Earth & Ocean is to transform the food industry by providing trusted, nutrient-dense, better-for-you products.

Consumers are no longer settling for products full of bio-engineered ingredients, additives, and chemicals. They want transparency, clean ingredients, and ethical sourcing. Yet many distributors and bulk suppliers still prioritize convenience over quality. Small-batch, mission-driven brands like ours are critical to rebuilding that trust.

I’m looking to collaborate with businesses ready to:
• Offer healthier alternatives in their menus and shelves
• Support small-batch, clean-food brands
• Prioritize sustainability and transparency in sourcing

If you want to partner to bring clean, high-quality, and trusted products to your customers, connect with me:

Mama Chea Cafe: www.mamacheacafe.com

Forage Earth & Ocean: www.forageearthocean.com

The food industry is changing — consumers are asking for better. Collaboration with conscious, mission-driven brands is the path forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.forageearthocean.com
• Instagram: @Forageearthocean
• Youtube: https://Www.YouTube.com/mamacheacafe