Nikki Branch shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Nikki, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
An author! Honestly, I still can’t believe I’m saying that. Becoming a children’s book author was never something I had on my bingo card, but one day God literally tapped me on the shoulder while I was at my 9-5 and placed this idea on my heart. Being who I am, I leaned into it and within just seven days, I had a full manuscript written and submitted to Amazon for approval.
The story was clear because it came from such a personal place: my son Zahir, who is nonverbal autistic, and his siblings, Zoe and Davante. I remember a few years ago, my publicist encouraged me to write a book about myself, but I kept putting it off. For some reason, I procrastinated when it came to telling my story. But when it came to telling our story, my children’s story, I didn’t hesitate. It felt familiar, almost like I had been preparing for this moment without even realizing it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Nikki Branch. I wear a lot of hats, but at the heart of it all, I’m a storyteller, a community builder, and a mom who’s passionate about creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and celebrated. I’m the Founder of Women for the Culture, a digital media platform and movement that spotlights women shaking the culture and builds real sisterhood through community, conversation, and collaboration. I’m also the creator of The Mom Boss Blueprint, where I help moms balance business, motherhood, and their own self-care without losing themselves in the process.
On top of that, I’m the host of the Real Talk with Nikki Podcast, where I get to have honest, empowering conversations with women across industries. And most recently, I became a children’s book author. My debut book, Zahir Speaks in Colors, was inspired by my son, who is nonverbal autistic, and it’s been such a blessing to share his story along with his siblings, Zoe and Davante, in a way that opens up conversations about autism, inclusion, and family love.
What makes my work unique is that it’s not just business for me, it’s personal. Everything I create is rooted in real-life experiences, from juggling a 9-5, being a mom of three, to building a brand that now reaches over 600K women. I’ve worked with major brands like VH1, Def Jam, and Target, but my proudest accomplishment is creating platforms that give women and mothers a voice, resources, and the confidence to chase their dreams.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my brand with new content, community initiatives, and creative projects like my children’s book series and Zahir’s World, a platform dedicated to autism awareness and advocacy. My mission is simple: to empower women and mothers everywhere to know that their story matters, their voice matters, and their dreams are worth pursuing.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I wasn’t enough. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was carrying that belief in the way I treated myself and in the inner voices that told me I wasn’t “that girl.” For a long time, I unconsciously talked down to myself, never fully recognizing that those feelings came from a little girl who didn’t feel pretty enough, good enough, or worthy enough.
It took therapy for me to connect the dots and realize where those feelings came from. And while I still have moments where those doubts try to creep back in, I’ve learned to stop, reflect, and remind myself of everything I’ve accomplished and the beautiful life I’ve built. I have a loving relationship of 17 years, three amazing children, and businesses that continue to grow and thrive. Today, I know that I am enough, and that little girl inside of me deserves to believe it too.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count, lol. But here I am, still glowing and growing. I’ve taken plenty of L’s along the way, but each one taught me something that helped me keep moving forward. The key for me has been constantly reminding myself of my why, my family, my team, and the vision I have for myself. That reminder is what keeps me from quitting, even on the toughest days. I know I’m so close to creating the life I’ve always dreamed of, and that keeps me going no matter what.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That working harder is smarter. I used to believe that the only way to succeed was to push nonstop, no breaks, no boundaries, no “no” in my vocabulary. I thought if I just kept grinding, eventually it would all pay off. But honestly, that mindset was draining and unsustainable.
Now, I’ve learned the power of balance. I say “no” when I need to, I take breaks when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I’ve embraced delegating instead of trying to carry everything on my own. Success doesn’t come from running yourself into the ground, it comes from working smarter, protecting your peace, and knowing that rest is part of the process too.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! I love what I do that much. The praise has never been the motivation, it’s the impact that drives me. For me, it’s about seeing a woman on my team step into rooms she never imagined being in because of the doors we opened, or someone feeling seen and valued because we recognized their brand or business. That feeling is indescribable, and it’s what keeps me giving my best every single time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://womenfortheculture.com
- Instagram: @nikkifortheculture
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