We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nikole Vega a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nikole, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from having to start life on my own at a really young age. I left home as a teenager because of my own decisions and had no choice but to figure things out without anyone holding my hand. On top of that, I moved to the U.S. from Colombia and being an immigrant meant rebuilding from the ground up: new language, new culture, no safety net and no connections. I had to create an entirely new life in a country that wasn’t designed to make it easy.
I worked multiple jobs, faced rejection and often felt like I was navigating everything blindly, but I kept going because I was determined to prove to my family (and myself) that I could do it. Every setback pushed me to grow. That survival instinct became resilience. It’s the reason I’ve built a business, pursued a career I love and stayed grounded through the ups and downs. I didn’t have the luxury of giving up and now, that’s my greatest strength.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and the founder of NV Glam Team, a California-based bridal beauty team specializing in luxury glam for modern brides.
While we’re known for our signature makeup and hair looks, what truly sets us apart is the inclusivity and energy we bring to every experience. I created this space to open doors for other minorities in the beauty industry because that’s what I wish someone had done for me when I was starting out.
Alongside running my team, I’ve had the honor of working red carpet events like the Met Gala, Vanity Fair, Latin AMAs, and more, assisting top celebrity makeup artists and learning what it takes to perform at the highest level.
I have a lot of plans for the future , but right now I’m focused on growing my career and presence on social media because I can only do so much at once!
One thing will always stay the same: I want to inspire and support others, both in how they feel and how they build their careers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important qualities that have shaped my journey are resilience, continuous education and a strong work ethic.
Resilience has carried me through the toughest moments when I felt overwhelmed, discouraged or unsure of what came next. And truthfully, those moments still happen. But I’ve learned to keep moving, even when it’s hard. If you’re starting out, remember: you don’t need to feel confident, you just need to stay consistent. Growth comes from showing up again and again!
Continuous education both in my artistry and on the business side. I’ve never stopped learning. From new techniques, content creation, marketing to client management. I’m always working to be better. When you focus only on making money and stop investing in yourself, you limit how far you can go. The beauty industry evolves fast, and if you want to last, you have to evolve with it.
And most importantly, work ethic. That means being reliable, showing up early, going the extra mile and treating every job big or small with the same level of care. This is where emotional intelligence comes in. You have to know how to work well with others, adapt to different personalities and build real trust. If you’re only in it for the money, you’ll miss out on the experience that truly shapes you. Opportunities come to those who are consistent, passionate and present.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Two people have been incredibly important in helping me grow through the challenges of my journey: my husband, Cris and my mentor, Jen Tioseco.
Cris has been my emotional support system through it all. He’s the one who reminds me who I am when I feel lost, encourages me when things get hard and never doubts my potential. His belief in me even during seasons when I struggled to believe in myself has kept me grounded and motivated.
On the professional side, Jen has played a huge role in my growth. As a mentor, she’s shown me what it looks like to lead with excellence… even when she gets on my nerves! LOL. Watching her work and how she handles high-pressure jobs, red carpets and brand deals has taught me so much without her ever having to say a word. Her trust in me gave me the confidence to step into rooms I once felt I didn’t belong in. The lessons I’ve learned from her continue to shape how I show up in my own career today.
Both of them, in different but equally powerful ways, have helped shape the artist and woman I am today, and I feel incredibly grateful to have them in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nikolevega.com
- Instagram: @nikolevega_pro
- Other: Tiktok @nikolevega_pro
Image Credits
Stephen Medina , Pam Creative , Hripsime Baghdasaryan
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
