We were lucky to catch up with Nicolle Mendoza recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicolle, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Optimism. I definitely have to credit my optimism to my family. Coming from humble beginnings, life wasn’t always easy for my family, but I never saw my parents dwell on the negative. In fact, they always met bumps in the road with good humor. A rejection was a redirection, if something didn’t work out, it was just an opportunity to improve.
That mindset stuck with me. I learned early on that there’s always a silver lining. And as I got older, I started to really lean into the idea that nothing is permanent- including the hard times. No matter what’s going on, time keeps moving. Nothing stays the same.
It’s all about perspective. If you’re already facing a bad situation, why make it harder on yourself? Why assume the outcome is only negative? I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s a muscle you have to train. Over and over again, until it becomes second nature. We often overlook how powerful perspective is.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I run a creative agency called Tumbleweed Social that focuses on branding and creative solutions, with a specialty in cities and downtowns. We take our time to really get to know the area, understand its history, its people, and where it’s heading. Branding should reflect all of that. What I do allows me to meet incredible people and learn what makes each place unique. Then I get to show everyone else.
TumbleWeed Social offers branding, rebranding, graphic design, content creation, and creative solutions. That last part, creative solutions, is something we’ve come to be known for. Sometimes a client comes to us with a challenge that doesn’t quite fit into any standard category. When that happens, we talk it through, brainstorm, pitch a solution, and bring it to life. We’ve done everything from AR scavenger hunts to restaurant crawls to full marketing campaigns. It’s a puzzle, and we love puzzles.
What makes this work even better is the team behind it. I’m genuinely grateful to have people on board who share the same passion I do. We all approach each project with the same mindset: nothing is ever one-size-fits-all. Every client is different. Every case is unique. It has to be. That’s the whole game of branding.
I recently rebranded the company and clarified the direction we’re heading in. The team has also grown, with a physical presence now in both California and New York. From here, I’m focused on expanding and serving global clients. I’m truly excited for what’s next!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three things that made the biggest impact in my journey were: risk taking, “solutions first, complaints second,” and no negative self-talk.
Risk taking because fear will keep you exactly where you are. You can come up with a thousand reasons not to do something instead of focusing on the one reason you should. And most of those “reasons” are self imposed. I know that sounds harsh, but the walls are there to see how badly you want something. No one’s going to do it for you. You have to start. Being stuck in hesitation only wastes time, and time has this funny quality of never stopping.
Solutions first, complaints second; that’s my to-go mantra. Sometimes life throws a banana peel in your path, and you have to act fast. It’s easy to waste time pointing fingers or getting caught up in how frustrating the situation is, but that only delays the fix. Especially when you’re working with a team and facing a deadline, things will go wrong. My approach is: we fix it first, then we complain if we still feel like it. That mindset really cuts through the slush. Burning time on frustration just adds more pressure later, and it’s rarely worth it.
And no negative self-talk. This one is non-negotiable. There are already enough people in the world who will doubt you, underestimate you, or tear you down. Don’t let your own voice be one of them. The one person who should always be in your corner is you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me, and something I’ll always be grateful for, is that they never cut my wings. They let me dream big. They never told me I couldn’t do something. Instead, they reminded me that anything was possible if I was willing to work for it, whether that meant studying, planning ahead, or putting in the practice.
My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. She tells me not to doubt myself, to go after what I want, and to demand respect. My dad has always pushed me to be prepared and to go after my goals with full force. He would say, “Don’t be scared. If you fall, I’ll be here to dust you off.” He’s someone I really look up to. He sees opportunities and grabs them with both hands. He knows where he’s going, and he gets there.
As his only daughter, he never painted fairy tales. He told me the truth- that some people might doubt me just because I’m a woman. But he made it clear that while I might have to try harder, to never let that make me believe that I can’t do it.
I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to do the things I’ve done, or to take the risks I’ve taken, without them. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tumbleweedsocial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tumbleweedsocial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tumbleweedsocial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tumbleweedsocial
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