Nicole Chamblin is the Chief Visionary, Leadership & Team Productivity Coach of Visions Productivity Solutions. An ICF PCC credentialed coach, she empowers high-achieving women leaders to build resilience, communicate confidently, collaborate productively, and cultivate a RISE and Thrive mindset to do more with less stress, drama, and burnout. Drawing from her cancer journey, real-world lessons, and her background in psychology and communications, Nicole inspires clients facing burnout and setbacks by demonstrating intentional communication to foster great workplace relationships.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
Although I was born in Jamaica, I grew up in New York City. While I was an athlete in high school, academics were always important to my family. I was fortunate to attend college on a full academic scholarship, studying psychology, sociology, and business. I later earned a master’s in communications before embarking on a career in advertising and marketing.
During my time in advertising, I was exposed to diverse industries such as wireless technology, healthcare, insurance, fast food, and clothing. Learning directly from senior leadership accelerated my growth in business strategy and development. This work allowed me to travel, connect with different cultures, and develop skills I still use in my business today.
What was the idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative?
While I really enjoyed my time in advertising, the constant travel, late nights, and long days took a toll on my ability to be present for my family. I was in New York during the 9/11 attacks, which profoundly shifted my life priorities.
Although successful in my career, I yearned to have a deeper and more lasting impact on the lives of others. Having lived a life on the edge of burnout, I founded my business to help others have more effective and efficient workdays, enabling them to go home and be more present with their families. I wanted to help other business owners realize their visions of success and productivity.
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 love to see more businesses inspired by young women entrepreneurs. I want them to seize their opportunities, be inspired, and launch boldly from wherever they are—without worrying about the limitations society has placed on them.
What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women are natural leaders with incredible capacities for compassion, strategic planning, and foresight. These skills, honed from childhood, make them highly effective leaders. My experience has shown that when women grow, their companies grow, and entire communities benefit. I am excited to see women taking on leadership roles and creating opportunities for themselves, even when there isn’t already a seat at the table.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
My personal motto is to always strive to be better today than I was yesterday. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that challenges and setbacks don’t define me; they refine me and help me grow. I try to find lessons and insights in even the worst circumstances to build a better tomorrow.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Your future self will thank you for your current struggles and hardships because they are the challenges that will help you grow. Even if you don’t have all the answers now, you have the capacity to learn and thrive.
Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t depend on others for your happiness or satisfaction—know that you are enough. Speak kindly to yourself because you are always listening. Define success on your own terms, and don’t worry about what others are doing. And remember, if you make a mistake or face a decision you regret, you can always change and improve the next day.
