Nichole Farrow is known for her expertise in relationships, family dynamics and personal development.
She says that, “I empower individuals to take control of their lives, create healthy relationships and create the life they desire for their families. I am a pioneer in transforming the stigma surrounding divorce and creating thriving blended families. With personal experience and a compassionate approach, I help clients navigate heartbreak, betrayal, and conflict. Whether it’s a blended, extended, or nuclear family, I fearlessly tackle challenges and guide them towards the success they deserve. My writings and media appearances further amplify my commitment to supporting individuals through difficult times.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
During my initial years of growing up, I had a unique experience being born into a blended family. At the age of two, my parents divorced due to an affair, and they both went on to marry three times. Interestingly, out of the six children in my family, five of us have also experienced divorce in our own lives. These early experiences had a profound impact on me and shaped my journey ahead. Leaving school at the age of 17, I entered the corporate world without a clear direction of what I wanted to do. However, I quickly found my stride in the realms of IT and business strategy. Despite the male-dominated environment, I rapidly climbed the ranks and by the time I was 28, I was reporting to C-suite executives, leading a team of ten. As a young woman in this challenging setting, I faced constant scrutiny and had to prove my worth daily. At the age of 28, my divorce was finalised, and I decided to reclaim my maiden name. Strangely, this choice exposed me to a significant amount of sexual harassment within the corporate world. Faced with such adversity, I made the decision to leave that environment behind. Taking a leap of faith, I transitioned to a startup and underwent training in Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). This led me to embark on a path of executive coaching, where I initially assisted clients with their professional lives. However, as my journey unfolded, I discovered a deep calling to support individuals and families in their personal lives as well. Given my personal experiences with divorce and family dynamics, I felt a strong connection to those facing similar challenges. This inspired me to specialise in helping individuals and families navigate divorce, co-parenting, and blending. Today, I focus on empowering professionals and families in enhancing their performance, confidence, and relationships.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of divorce and witnessed the pain it can cause, both as a child of divorce and through my own, my motivation to start my business stems from a deep understanding of the negative impact divorce can have on individuals and families. Seeing the pain and emotional turmoil of my executive clients, who often juggled high-pressure careers and personal struggles, further fuelled my determination to create change. Saying “YES, go for it!” was driven by my unwavering commitment to make a lasting impact. I knew that by sharing my own experiences, providing tailored guidance, and offering comprehensive resources, I could help individuals going through divorce navigate their journey with confidence and resilience. The motivation behind my initiative also extends to my desire to support executive clients who face unique challenges during divorce. Witnessing their struggles to balance demanding careers, family responsibilities, and personal well-being solidified my dedication to offering practical solutions, empowering them to navigate divorce while preserving their professional success. Ultimately, my vision is to break the cycle of pain and bitterness associated with divorce and create a future where individuals have the tools, support, and mindset to navigate divorce with grace, integrity, and a focus on the well-being of all involved.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I am committed to transforming the way we approach divorce and supporting the creation of healthy, happy blended families. I aim to challenge the negative stigma associated with divorce and promote a culture of empowerment, understanding, and positive outcomes. Divorce is often viewed as a failure, leading to bitterness, broken relationships, and shame. My mission is to abolish this notion and remove the societal pressure and judgment surrounding divorce. I strive to create an environment where individuals feel empowered to choose happiness and prioritise their well-being and the well-being of their children over remaining in a miserable marriage. I aim to normalise divorce after all 42% of marriages end in divorce and 3 out of 4 people remarry, blended families are the norm. By promoting thoughtful decision-making, planning, and budgeting, treating it as a process that requires careful consideration and support, similar to other major life transitions I hope to make this change. I believe that everyone involved in a divorce should have access to the necessary emotional, legal, and practical resources to navigate this journey successfully. To bring about this transformation, I make my coaching services accessible and inclusive. I collaborate with a network of professionals, including legal, financial, and holistic experts, to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families. Through social media, mainstream media, and articles, I raise awareness about the need for a cultural shift surrounding divorce and blended families. I firmly believe that by supporting and creating healthy, happy blended families, we can build a more compassionate and understanding society and a better future for our children. After all we are all products of our environment. If we don’t get this right today we will create the same problems for our children and future generations. The work has already begun, and I am dedicated to providing the necessary support and resources to those who seek them.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Throughout my personal and professional journey as a coach, I have had the privilege of achieving numerous milestones and accomplishments. These achievements have provided me with opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. One notable accomplishment is securing a regular slot on the BBC, as well as being published in Tatler and Spears magazine where I have the privilege of sharing my expertise and insights on topics related to divorce, blended families, and personal growth. This platform has allowed me to reach a wider audience and provide valuable guidance to those in need. I am also honored to have received endorsements from high-profile lawyers who recognise the effectiveness of my coaching approach in addressing trust and relationship issues. In addition to my media presence and collaborations, I have launched the Fresh Start newsletter, a valuable resource for individuals navigating the challenges of divorce and starting anew. This newsletter provides practical advice, inspiring stories, and helpful tools to support individuals on their journey towards healing and personal growth. To further assist co-parents in their journey, I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of my new app. Through this app, I aim to empower co-parents with the tools and knowledge they need to foster positive co-parenting relationships and create a nurturing environment for their children. Personally I also have an immense pride in my own personal achievements. Coming from what society deems a “broken family,” I have faced my share of challenges and adversities. At a young age, I tragically lost my father to cancer when I was only 21. I then made a poor choice in marrying my next boyfriend at 25, only to realise the relationship was toxic, leading to a divorce just 18 months later. However, I am happy to share that my story didn’t end there. Today, I am happily married, blessed with two beautiful, happy, and healthy children. My blended family thrives, overcoming the difficulties and issues I experienced during my own upbringing.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would like to inspire and empower young women entrepreneurs to envision and work towards a world that embraces work-life balance and provides opportunities for mothers, so they don’t have to choose between being a Mum and pursuing their career ambitions. Let’s strive for inclusive workplaces that offer flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, and childcare support, enabling women to excel in their careers while prioritising their roles as mothers. In addition, I believe in the power of community in raising children. Let’s revive the concept of “it takes a village” by promoting supportive communities that come together to help families and nurture relationships. By fostering strong community bonds and creating spaces for support, collaboration, and shared experiences, we can create an environment where children thrive and families receive the assistance and understanding they need. Furthermore, I encourage young women entrepreneurs to prioritise themselves and show up with confidence, rejecting the tendency to put themselves down or place their needs last. Let’s inspire them to embrace self-care, self-belief, and personal growth, understanding that by valuing themselves, they can make a positive impact on their personal and professional lives. Moreover, I envision a business landscape that values emotional intelligence. By emphasising empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication, we can create sustainable and healthy environments for both employees and leaders. Building emotionally intelligent organisations not only fosters success but also contributes to the creation of a future where empathy and compassion are key drivers of professional growth and decision-making. Lastly, I advocate for equipping children with mindset tools from an early age. Let’s integrate social and emotional learning programs into schools, providing children with the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges and thrive. By teaching resilience, critical thinking, and emotional well-being, we can empower children to develop a growth mindset and build healthy relationships, setting them on a path towards personal fulfilment and positive contributions to society.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women leadership today is a testament to the incredible progress we have made towards achieving gender equality in the workplace. The growing force of women in leadership roles signifies a shift in traditional power dynamics and brings fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and unique skills to the table. Women leaders are driving positive change, challenging existing norms, and fostering inclusive work environments that value collaboration, empathy, and effective communication. One of the remarkable aspects of women leadership today is the ability to break stereotypes and defy societal expectations. Women leaders are proving that success knows no gender and that they are just as capable, if not more so, of making strategic decisions, driving innovation, and achieving exceptional results. While significant progress has been made, it is crucial to acknowledge that there are still hurdles to overcome. Gender disparities persist, and women continue to face challenges such as unconscious bias, limited representation in top-level positions, and a lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities. However, the increasing visibility and success of women leaders inspire future generations of women to aspire to leadership roles and continue breaking barriers. To fully leverage the potential of women leadership, it is essential to ensure equal access to opportunities, support the advancement of women throughout their careers, and challenge systemic barriers that hinder their progress. By fostering an environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity, organisations can harness the full potential of women leaders and create a more equitable and prosperous future.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
I would like to share these tips as someone who has been where you are: Believe in yourself: Trust your abilities, talents, and potential. Embrace your unique qualities and strengths, and know that you are capable of achieving great things. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams and making a difference in the world. Embrace your voice: Your perspective and ideas matter. Don’t be afraid to speak up, share your thoughts, and contribute to conversations. Your voice has the power to inspire, challenge, and drive positive change. Embrace your authenticity and use your voice to make an impact. Seek opportunities for growth: Continuously seek opportunities to learn, grow, and develop your skills. Embrace challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth. Be open to new experiences, take on leadership roles, and surround yourself with mentors and allies who can guide and support you along your journey. Support and uplift other women: Lift as you climb. Support and empower other women in their journeys. Celebrate their successes, share resources, and foster a sense of camaraderie. Together, we can create a powerful network of support and collaboration that uplifts women collectively. Be resilient: Leadership is not always smooth sailing. There will be obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. Embrace failures as learning experiences. Your resilience will inspire others and propel you towards success. Create your own definition of success: Society may have its own expectations and definitions of success, but it’s important to define your own path. Reflect on what truly matters to you, both personally and professionally. Align your goals and aspirations with your values, passions, and purpose. Remember the power of collaboration: Collaboration is key to driving positive change. Seek opportunities to collaborate with others, both within and outside your field. Embrace diverse perspectives, build strong networks, and work together towards common goals.
