Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Cutts. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents did so many things right, but above all, they gave my siblings and me the gift of knowing we were deeply loved. That sense of security and care provided the foundation for everything that followed. They also prioritized education and made sure we understood its value—not just as a path to achievement, but as a key to freedom and security later in life.

Both of my parents are physicians, and while my father practiced full time, my mother made the intentional choice to stay home and manage both our household and the business side of his medical practice. It was truly a team effort. Because she was home, she handled the day-to-day details, including our education—meeting with teachers and enrolling us in extracurricular activities—but my father was never distant from the process. When report cards came home, I’d sit down with both of them, and they’d review my progress together. What stood out most was that their focus wasn’t on grades alone—they wanted to be sure I was applying myself and reaching my full potential. That balance of encouragement and accountability shaped how I approach work to this day.

Through their example, I also learned the value of excellence, integrity, and honesty. In our household, there was no room for cheating or cutting corners of any kind. They modeled doing the right thing, even when no one was watching, and that lesson has stayed with me. From an early age, we had chores and responsibilities, and we were expected to take them seriously. Work was viewed as a normal and meaningful part of life.

They also instilled in me a love of learning and physical activity. My interests grew and shifted often—from art and writing to psychology and travel—and they supported all of my pursuits. At the same time, they believed in the value of athletics and made sure we were involved. I swam competitively, played soccer, and tennis, and they were always there—driving to practices, cheering at games, and encouraging perseverance and teamwork. After I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and found myself uncertain about my next direction, they trusted me to figure it out. Their support included giving me the space and time to return to painting and selling art, never questioning why I was doing that after earning my doctorate. That trust and support meant everything.

From my father, an obstetrician-gynecologist, I learned that success and service can coexist. He cared deeply for his patients and was compassionate with those who might have been struggling financially. That example taught me that while hard work and financial success matter, genuine care and service to others are what make a career—and a life—meaningful.

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dr. Nicole Cutts — a licensed clinical psychologist, author, success coach, and organizational consultant. I’ve always been curious about human potential. In college at Howard University, I discovered psychology and fell in love with how the mind works. That passion led me to California for graduate school, where I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. By my fourth year, though, I began to wonder if immersing myself in psychopathology was healthy for me. My interest in helping people thrive remained, but my passion for traditional clinical practice had faded. Being pragmatic, I finished my degree and returned to the East Coast determined to find my new passion.

I prayed, meditated, and read everything I could about discovering your path and doing what you love. Over time I realized the key was to follow my instincts, even when the path didn’t make sense to others. If I felt drawn to explore something, I trusted that impulse, and gradually the road became clearer. I returned to painting, traveled, and rediscovered my other creative passions while still working in psychology. Eventually, I defined what I call my Vision of Success: working with organizations and helping other women clarify and achieve their own visions of success for their life’s work. That realization led me to found Cutts Consulting and later Vision Quest Retreats—spaces where I could blend psychology, success coaching, and creativity to help others design lives that align passion, purpose, and service.

Not long after, someone invited me to contribute to an anthology of women’s stories. Expecting to submit nonfiction, I was surprised when she encouraged me to try fiction, saying she loved the descriptive quality of my travel writing. I accepted the challenge and created the first book in The Adventures of Isabelle series. What began as a creative experiment became another way to inspire others, especially women, to see their own lives as epic quests of courage, growth, and self-discovery.

Today my work is wonderfully varied. Through Vision Quest Retreats, I lead events and retreats that help participants clarify and pursue their Vision of Success. I also design and deliver organizational consulting and leadership training focused on emotional intelligence and authentic leadership for federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits—really, wherever there are people. I provide executive coaching in corporate settings and maintain a small but steady therapy and success-coaching practice, primarily with women.

People sometimes ask if what I do is life coaching. I explain that my focus is on success—specifically, success in one’s life’s work. While personal threads inevitably intersect with professional ones, my aim is to help clients clarify, plan for, and achieve their Vision of Success for their calling or career. Being a licensed psychologist also means I can help them address deeper issues that might otherwise block their progress.

What sets my approach apart is how I integrate psychology, creativity, and empowerment. I often draw on the narrative of the heroine’s quest as both a therapeutic and coaching tool. The idea is that every challenge you face is part of your journey—a dragon to slay, a trial on the road toward the boon of self-knowledge and fulfillment. This framework helps clients reframe setbacks as necessary steps in their evolution and meet them with courage instead of fear.

I’m proud that I get to live what I teach. My life reflects the balance and freedom that define my vision of success. I work for myself, set my own schedule, and devote my mornings to writing—I’m currently working on Book III of The Adventures of Isabelle heroine’s quest series—before turning to coaching and consulting work. I love traveling, being in nature, scuba diving, and creating travel videos that let me share what I’m learning and experiencing with others.

If you’re standing at a crossroads—whether beginning your journey, seeking to change direction, or simply ready for more—I invite you to reach out. Through my success coaching and Vision Quest Retreats, I help women and professionals at every stage clarify their Vision of Success and take bold, inspired action to achieve it. And for those who love stories of transformation, The Adventures of Isabelle Books 1 and 2 bring the heroine’s quest to life—a reminder that every challenge is a dragon to be faced and that the journey itself is where we find our greatest growth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation has been built on a consistent commitment to excellence. Whether I’m coaching an individual, facilitating a retreat, or consulting with an organization, I give each engagement my full attention and effort. I take time to really listen—to understand what my clients need and to tailor solutions that genuinely serve them.

I also work with integrity and transparency. I set clear expectations, follow through on my commitments, and make sure that the work I deliver not only meets but exceeds what was promised. Over the years, that reliability has earned trust.

Much of my business now comes through word of mouth, which I take as the greatest compliment. When people recommend me, they’re saying they believe in the quality of my work and in the experience I provide. That, more than anything, has helped me build and sustain my reputation.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Yes, but they’re all connected by the same mission: helping individuals and organizations clarify and achieve their Vision of Success. My work naturally spans several streams—private therapy and success coaching, organizational consulting and leadership training, and Vision Quest Retreats, where I bring groups together for immersive personal and professional development experiences.

I also write and publish books in The Adventures of Isabelle heroine’s quest series and speak to audiences about psychology, leadership, and women’s empowerment. In addition, I create and sell paintings and jewelry inspired by feminine archetypes and transformation—another way of expressing the same themes that run through my writing and coaching.

While these are distinct streams, they ultimately flow together into one larger current: a body of work devoted to empowerment, creativity, and purposeful living. Each feeds the other, carrying my message in different forms but always toward the same ocean of meaning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://visionquestretreats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.nicolecutts_coach_author/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisionQuestRetreats/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecutts/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSuccessdoc
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057593043898
  https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresOfIsabelle/