We were lucky to catch up with Nichaele Watson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichaele, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I was a quite outgoing and polite child and struggled greatly with one thing: people constantly mispronouncing my name. Every day, adults would call me “Nichale” or “Nichayl,” and while I didn’t want to upset anyone by correcting them multiple times, it bothered me.

One day, after my mom overheard the janitor, Mr. Davis, call out “Hi, Nichale!” She decided to speak up for me. She walked over and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Davis, her name is Nichaele, not Nichale. It’s like Michelle but with an N” Mr. Davis immediately apologized and promised to remember my name.

That night at the dinner table there was a huge discussion about how long Mr. Davis had been pronouncing my name wrong and who else does the same. Damien, my father, reminded me how important names are to everyone and urged, “If we don’t stand up for ourselves and others, who will?” Later on in the night, Tyrone, my grandfather added, “Your voice is powerful, just be yourself and the words will come to you.” I remember feeling proud to know that her family had faith that I was more than capable to speak up for myself.

The next day, I spoke up again when Mrs. Coronado, the 3rd grade teacher, made the same mistake. “Excuse me, Mrs. Coronado, it’s Nichaele,” I said softly but confidently. Mrs. Coronado apologized, too.
I soon realized that speaking up didn’t have to be rude or confrontational—it was simply a way to ask for respect. By finding the courage to correct others, she grew more confident in herself, learning the balance between standing up for her needs and respecting the adults around her.

Through this experience, I learned an important lesson: it’s okay to speak up for yourself, even when it feels hard, because my name and voice matters. Even more recently, I had to realign myself to this, as oftentimes even saying “like Michelle but with an N” still does not render the correct result. I was grateful for a client who corrected his friend’s pronunciation of my name in front of the entire dinner table. I am constantly reminded that building the right community for ourselves should also play a role in advocacy. Not everything is a one-person job!

Nichaele, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At NichedMirage, my goal is to provide a truly personalized caretaking experience. What sets us apart is our ability to care for everyone in your home—whether they have two legs, four legs, or even scales. We begin with a detailed intake form and a “meet and greet” session to ensure that our services are the perfect fit for both you and your loved ones. Building rapport and trust with parents, children, and pets is at the core of what we do, and we make it a priority to connect with each client on an individual level.

Animal Services:
Our pet care goes beyond just dogs and cats. We provide care for a wide range of animals, including tortoises, snakes, and more. Our services include administering medications, mealtime routines, playtime, and even training unique commands. For example, one of my favorite clients, Mr. T (a playful pit bull also known as Trouble), loves practicing tricks like “Yoga” and “Pets” during our visits. I believe in building genuine relationships with the animals I care for because they are highly perceptive and responsive to the different expectations people have of them. This approach allows them to feel comfortable and thrive in my care.

Childcare:
I provide engaging, screen-free childcare for children of all ages. From newborns to school-age kids, I prioritize creating a nurturing and fun environment. I support bedtime routines and mealtime interactions with patience and creativity. I often bring along art projects and interactive games to encourage learning and play. Additionally, I love involving children in simple cooking activities, such as making parfaits or pinwheels, which not only entertain but also provide valuable learning experiences. These activities are especially popular during date nights, giving parents peace of mind while their little ones are safe and happily engaged.

The main thing I want potential clients to know about NichedMirage is that our services are rooted in genuine care, trust, and meaningful connections. We take pride in offering dependable and compassionate support tailored to the unique needs of your family.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Some people have called me a “busy bee” due to my many commitments, and I must admit that they were right. However, I never viewed it as too much because each role allowed me to share the most genuine parts of myself with my clients—whether they were furry companions or individuals recovering from an accident.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned through this journey is the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Experiencing burnout taught me that I must prioritize my own well-being before I can effectively care for others. During particularly demanding periods, I allowed myself only one or two week-long vacations per year. Additionally, the high demand for childcare during school holidays meant that even on my scheduled days off, I rarely found time to rest.

My responsibilities often included dog sitting for clients who were away for days or even weeks at a time, as well as overnight house sitting to provide specialized care for animals in recovery or those needing medication. Although I was dedicated to my clients, I realized that constantly being away from my own space hindered my ability to recharge. While I made efforts to incorporate self-care practices like yoga and journaling, they were not enough to counterbalance the demands of my schedule.

This experience has reinforced my commitment to setting boundaries and prioritizing my well-being. By doing so, I can continue to provide the high-quality, compassionate care that my clients deserve.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After moving to Africa to serve in the Peace Corps, I had initially planned to spend 2 years there, immersed in community work and development. Being eight months in, I was getting accustomed to the traditions, language and even transportation. I soon began enjoying carrying water on my head, starting fires to eat and lighting candles for light in the evening. I was an English teacher for a high school by day. Teaching Grassroots Soccer lessons in the afternoons and beginning to write grants to help support my new community. However, when COVID-19 hit, I was called back to the U.S. unexpectedly, leaving me without a place to live or a job. I was devastated to leave not knowing if I’d ever return to my new home I’d made for myself. Saying goodbye to friends that I’d made in Africa, only to feel robbed of time we thought we would have together.

I knew I needed to adapt quickly, so I pivoted and became a live-in nanny, seeing it as an opportunity to care for kids, which I’d always loved. This family lived in San Francisco and introduced me to a new city and culture of care for kids. I experienced reverse culture shock and began feeling so burdened by the many luxuries we had in the states. Little did I know, this job became my unexpected entry point to the childcare clients I now serve through my business, opening doors I hadn’t anticipated. It was a lesson in resilience and trusting that sometimes, even an unplanned detour can lead you to exactly where you need to be.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: NichedMirage