We’re looking forward to introducing you to Niki Neisen Nichols. Check out our conversation below.
Niki, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Although all three of these attributes are important, the one that’s easily on top is energy. There’s nothing better than feeling my own energy and the energy of the people around me. We’re all surrounded by an aura (our electromagnetic field), and the sooner we realize our auras can lead us in powerful ways, the more expansive we become as a collective. When the vibe is off (or the energy is feeling strange), that is most likely your body letting you know to become aware of the situation to decide your next best move. Next would be integrity because I believe when people are living with integrity, their energy will reflect this. Intelligence is important, and I often find that people learn things based on their interests- this varies for all humans. When the energy and integrity are there, this fosters a stable learning environment and the natural curiosity needed to build intelligence!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Niki Nichols, here! I’m the CEO and owner of Boki’s Kitchen, a rural commercial catering service that is driven to connect humans through wholesome meals. When I’m not cooking and connecting people, I have a variety of hobbies and interests such as astrology and human design, cleaning and organizing, spending quality time with loved ones, and pouring into my two daughters, Addison and Isabella. I was driven to start helping others with their human design, so I began Soul Atlas: Being Imperfectly Human. I live everyday in hope for new opportunities, happiness for what I have achieved and who has helped, and in honesty of who I am and where I am going.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I was instilled with a strong work ethic from the time I was a child thanks to my parents. Growing up on a dairy farm, we milked Holstein cattle twice daily. This is not all we did- that business I mentioned earlier? Boki’s Kitchen? It was previously known as Kathy Neisen Catering and it was born a few months after I was in my parents walk-out basement. So not only was there plenty of work to be done at the farm, but the catering was a nice mix-up from the mundane farm chores. Whether it was feeding the calves or rolling out pie crusts, I learned lasting skills and what to do with those skills that have shaped me into the woman I have become today.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
In 2016, I went through traumatic life events which ended in a divorce from my first husband. Looking back, I often wonder how the relationship lasted as long as it did, but I now realize I needed those moments of pain to be the person I am today. I had a very low self esteem during my first marriage, and it manifested itself negatively in my life. Once I removed someone who was adamant about controlling my every next move, my life became my own again for the first time in over a decade. I was excited to learn more about who I was, and all that pain turned into the power I hold today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One of my foundational truths are “relationships are my most valued resources.” Many years ago, I realized the love I hold for others is so expansive and full and for some people can be a lot or even too much. I’ve learned how and when to hold space for people, and to also receive space when I need it. Another foundational truth of mine is that in-person connection time is so valuable and many times creates powerful momentum for humanity. I want to continue building powerful and meaningful relationships with people I love.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
There has been many instances like this over the course of my life. Whether it be the career, the car, the house. . . I seemed to check it all off my list by the time I was 25 years old, and felt more empty than ever. That is when I really rewired my brain to understand that this one life we live is not about things or status, but it is about who we choose to surround ourselves with and why we gather. It is community, and it is being there for people in good times and bad. Life is sure a lot more fulfilling when I have so many amazing people I share it with!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bokiskitchen.com
- Instagram: bokiskitchen
- Linkedin: Niki Neisen Nichols
- Facebook: bokiskitch
Image Credits
LH Phtography, Brandy Owens Photography, Rae Design
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