Meet: Nicole Mercedes!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
My name is Nicole Mercedes. I am the co-founder and Vice President of NicholeNicole Vintage Boutique, Leader of No Excuse Mom, Akron, Ohio chapter and a Health & Fitness enthusiast, in progress.

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From childhood, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work. Watching my father start his own business and my Mom work hard to finish her degree, it was those moments that I realized that I wanted to help people and also start my own business. When I entered into adulthood, weight management was a personal struggle for me. After having my first child, I realized a change was needed and it became my mission to help other women love themselves as they are but also pushing themselves to become their better selves.

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
I would encourage them to follow their heart, don’t be afraid to take risks and work hard. It’s extremely important to have a support system behind you because when it gets tough and you want to give up, those will be the ones front row, cheering you on and pushing you forward.

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
While obtaining my Master’s degree in Information Technology, I interned at a fashion company in their IT department. After graduation, they hired me full-time. Though very excited, I felt like the CIO of the department was not very fond of me and gave me a hard time whenever possible. I was determined to prove that I deserved the position so every day I worked really hard and learned the things that I didn’t know and I ended up being their best technician.

What is next for your brand/business in 2016?
With the recent launch of NicholeNicole Vintage Boutique with my business partner Altimese Nichole, it is my goal to continue to push women to excel in every aspect of their lives. With my involvement in No Excuse Mom, I want to continue to find my place in the fitness realm. In 2017, I will be working on re-launching my Nicole Mercedes fitness/motivation blog and creating a hub for women full of motivation, guidance on fitness, healthy living and parenting tips.

How can readers connect with you online and through social media
Follow the boutique on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @ShopNNBoutique
Follow me on
FB: @NicoleMercedes
Twitter: _NicoleMercedes
Instagram: Mrs.NicoleMercedes
Blog:NicoleMercedes.com