Meet Nicole Richardson

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

Nicole, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Studies show that women hold about 60% of marketing jobs in North America, however, a 2022 report found that Black women make up only about 2.7% of employees in the broader marketing, advertising, and public relations fields.

As a black woman in marketing and advertising, it has been both a challenge at times and an opportunity as there have been many times when I’ve been the only one in the room who looks like me. It’s taught me to embrace my uniqueness and also use it as a strength.

Navigating these spaces has required me to become more intentional in my communication and how I advocate for myself. It’s also taught me adaptability and how to have a strong sense of self-awareness. I learned early on to lean into my perspective, understanding that my experiences bring valuable insights to the table that others may not have considered and that my voice matters.

It’s also encouraged me to seek out and build strong relationships with mentors and allies who understand the power of diversity. Overall, I’ve learned to stay focused on my goals, advocate for inclusion, and recognize that being different in the room doesn’t diminish my value but actually enhances my contribution.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’ve dedicated my career to helping women entrepreneurs, especially coaches and consultants, build sustainable and impactful businesses through digital marketing. My journey in marketing began in 2016, supporting women at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys. Since then, I’ve specialized in helping women creators and business owners with their marketing strategies to launch their digital programs, podcasts, and events to grow their businesses online.

What I find most exciting about my work is hearing the stories and having a front-row seat in supporting these women to break through barriers and succeed, often during challenging life transitions. I focus on empowering them not only to reach their financial goals but also to align their businesses with their personal values and life stages. I love providing strategies that allow them to grow sustainably without burning out.

Currently, I’m focusing on expanding my services, which range from foundational packages for new coaches that help them bring their offerings online to more advanced growth strategies that help them grow their email list and launch their services with online event marketing. I also host “The Nicole Richardson Podcast,” where women share their real, behind-the-scenes journeys of building a business beyond the highlight reel. These stories inspire and empower listeners who are navigating similar paths, encouraging us all to keep moving forward.

At the heart of my brand is the belief that when women are empowered with the right tools and guidance, we can create not only successful businesses but lives we truly love.

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?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:

1. Taking bold action even when fear tries to hold you back: Fear is always present when you’re stepping into something new, but pushing through it has been key to my growth. Whether it was launching my business or supporting my clients in bold moves, I learned to take action despite fear. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace fear as a natural part of the process. Take the next step even when it feels uncomfortable because that’s where growth happens.

2. Learning continuously: The world of business and digital marketing is constantly evolving, and staying curious and committed to learning has helped me stay effective. For those just starting, I recommend immersing yourself in books, courses, and experiences that expand your knowledge. Never think you know it all! Be open to learning and failing forward.

3. Being uniquely me: It’s easy to feel like others are already doing what you want to do or are further along than where you think you “should” be. I’ve learned that while there may be others in marketing, I bring something unique because I’m 1 of 1. No one else has the same combination of experiences, perspectives, and skills that I do, and I’ve come to understand that I’m exactly where I need to be in this moment. My advice for those just starting is to embrace your individuality. Don’t compare your journey to others—focus on what makes you unique. Trust that your combination of skills and experiences is what will set you apart and lead to your success in your own time.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

A few years ago, I believed it was essential to invest time, effort, and energy into improving my weaknesses, thinking that as long as it helped me progress in my business, it was worth it. But, after reading “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks (a great book to have on your bookshelf by the way), I’ve shifted my perspective. Now, I understand that it’s more effective to focus on my zone of genius, the areas where I naturally excel and find joy, rather than spreading myself thin trying to improve my weaker skills.

I believe it’s better to go all in on our strengths and hone in on what we do best. This way, we can have more fulfillment in the work that we’re doing. In our businesses, I believe the key is to delegate tasks that fall outside our zone of genius and allow others to contribute their strengths. This will help with productivity and creates a collaborative environment where everyone can flourish and feel supported.

For instance, when I started my business, I tried to manage everything, including areas where specific tasks would take me hours to do, not always because I couldn’t do them, but because I wasn’t excited to do them. I realized that this was draining my energy and stalling my growth. Once I began delegating those tasks, I could focus more on strategic planning and client relationships— the areas where I truly shine. This shift has improved my business and is allowing me to enjoy the work I’m doing more.

When you’re first starting a business, you might not have the resources to outsource or delegate, so you have to get creative and learn as you go. But as you grow, the best way to build a successful business is to lean into your strengths and tap into the strengths of others.

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