Nicola Richardson’s journey is one of resilience, self-belief, and redefining what leadership truly looks like. From navigating personal loss and a life-altering health crisis to building a purpose-driven consulting business, Nicola’s story reminds us that kindness and compassion aren’t weaknesses—they are leadership superpowers. Humans of Fuzia is honored to share her journey with our global community of women who are building a more human, inclusive, and empowered world.
What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
I was working in a very stressful corporate operations role while my father was critically ill in hospital. I was commuting two hours each way, emotionally exhausted, and under constant pressure. One day, my manager called me into a room and aggressively pointed out that I was stressed—without any compassion or understanding of what I was going through. I hadn’t shared my personal situation because the environment didn’t feel safe.
A few weeks later, under all that pressure, I suffered a heart attack. That moment changed everything for me. I realized that leadership doesn’t need to be harsh or aggressive—it can be kind, compassionate, and curious. I assessed my strengths and discovered leadership and management were truly my calling. That’s when I decided to study professionally and eventually start my own business to create healthier workplaces.
What has been your proudest milestone so far?
Achieving my Level 7 Professional Consultancy Diploma was a huge milestone. It gave me the confidence that I truly knew what I was doing. I started my business part-time in 2016 while still working corporately, and in 2021, I finally took the leap to go full-time. Leaving corporate life was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Do you work solo or with a team?
I work independently, but I strongly believe in outsourcing when something isn’t my strength. As entrepreneurs, we wear many hats, but we can’t be good at everything. Knowing when to ask for help and finding the right people to support you is essential.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
I think women are now embracing their true selves instead of trying to emulate masculine leadership traits. We bring natural compassion, curiosity, and emotional intelligence into leadership, which is great for businesses. However, there’s still work to be done—especially at senior board levels, which remain male-dominated. Progress is happening, but we need more women at the very top.
What message would you like to share with aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. It’s okay to have emotions and to show vulnerability at work. I was an emotional leader, and it never stopped me from being effective. In fact, it helped me build stronger trust with my team. Vulnerability, when balanced well, builds long-term credibility. Let’s stop believing that women shouldn’t show emotion—it’s perfectly okay.
What does success mean to you—both personally and professionally?
For me, success is about empowering women to lead with kindness, compassion, and curiosity. I believe in creating workplaces where people feel trusted, valued, safe to innovate, and free to be themselves. When people feel like they belong, productivity naturally follows. That’s the kind of leadership and success I truly believe in.
“When people feel trusted, valued, and safe to be themselves, both leadership and success become truly meaningful.” — Nicola Richardson
Connect with Nicola Richardson: Nicola Richardson – Leadership Communications Mentor | LinkedIn
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com
