We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Carothers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

For a time I was in my biological father’s care as a child. He happened to work in Hollywood managing set build for TV shows and music artists with Paramount, Universal Studios, etc.. He contracted celebrity work as well for homes/additions. I’ve learned the most from participating and being hands-on. I’m a curious individual when it comes to the unknown. People say I know a lot of information for no reason… But the reason is that knowledge is power”.
As for speeding up the learning process… From what I have lived and learned, I would say that protected sex is a must for the younger generation. I had my first child at 19. I didn’t allow myself to spread my wings the way I had planned. I’ve heard the saying “If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans”… Well.. his stomach must have hurt. I was young, ambitious, and signed with Ford Models in NYC…flourishing… and then I missed my period and that’s all she wrote. I was cut and life as I knew it, was forever changed. The moment the stick said “pregnant” my goal was to be the mother I never had. It was all smoke behind my daughter from that point on.. and then plus 2, a boy & another girl. To this day they are my everything. My pure motivation, my moral compass…I am a free nester as of this year, losing my mind, yet putting my feet on the ground with the agency I have built behind the scenes through the years remotely. I am adapting to this new chapter, there are pros and cons.
The skill I feel is most essential is patience. It’s a virtue, not an option.
As for the obstacles, I feel I addressed that already lol, kids. Learning what is hypoallergenic or organic vs how long will the flight take? What outfit am I wearing? How much is it paying?

Nicole, 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?

For those who missed the previous interview, I will give a quick summary. I was born in Tustin, CA, and had a father who was involved in the production aspect of the entertainment/TV industry. I totted around with him and learned by “on-the-job” training so to speak. I would get this feeling once a project was complete and it has been a driving force since. I just can’t let the feeling of completion and victory go! It’s almost a sickness lol but I’m not sorry about it.
I, get in where I can fit in on both sides. I have had some new developments since we spoke last… it’s too much… just too much… I would sound like I am bragging… All the glory to God! Everyone can go to my IG- Nmcali714 and get a highlight reel of my journeys. It’s the tip of the iceberg but at least our readers can get a general idea. My center is managing BPace Productions. He is a film director/content creator and has filmed &created some of the high-production videos from your favorite artists/tiktoks/commercials etc. If it requires a camera, he is the best and one of the most demanded among the mainstream.
You can follow him on IG @Bpaceproductions c/c @1BPace. If you hit him up, let him know I sent you and you will get some different prices from the norm, please believe lol. One of the doors Pace & I have opened is: Catering to the underground/independent artists. We know a “marketing budget” is out of the question for some but let me tell you…don’t trip. We have come across enough broke talent to make a change… I’m a hustler above all else and I will make something work. I will put you on layaway until the quote/agreement is met, no lie. I allow lay away up to 75% (pay as you can, proof of payment(s) is obvious with a total balance remaining or paid in full confirmation) which at that point you can choose/secure your date and the other 25% is due the day of the shoot before production begins you feel me? With your quote, you are guaranteed: pre-production, production, and post-production.
We offer 1 free edit, which is $500 for every edit after that. We do prefeeeeer you to come up with a treatment/storyline for your project before production but we know that’s not always the case. Some want the baby, not the labor pains if you get me, but that’s not a make-or-break deal. Anything and everything can be done over here, but nothing is free. I can only guarantee to do right by you, be logical regarding your money, and follow through to promptly give you the best projects you’ll ever have. If I wouldn’t do it, I wouldn’t offer it up to someone else. That’s embarrassing to me, come on now lol. Plus, you have me to stay in touch with as your progress bar. In addition, any content we produce for you, we can get placed on MTV & B.E.T for 30 consecutive days (price disclosed upon discussion of service).
Outside of Pace, the other everyday journey I am blessed to have is managing Tahmell Griffin, The Son of Rakim. IKYKY. Tahmell is an expert producer & a multi-versatile rapper from NY. He is associated with Shade 45, The Punchline Academy, and DaArmy. You can follow him on IG @officialtahmell “The Real God’s Son” and the others @ their names. If any of our readers need beats, want him for an event, meet and greets, nonprofit support, interviews, etc. you are more than welcome to dm me. Tahmell and I are currently in the process of an LLC together to release his merch “Paid In Full” (keep your eyes out for updates) and some other projects that we plan to bring to life. Tahmell has a lot of amazing motion and his vision is pure. I know he would succeed without me but the fact all my connections are genuine, we have a no man left behind bond. All of us. It’s so amazing… I pray that everyone gets to experience the feeling. To build your life on the bricks of people who have the same moral compass as you is insane. It’s like the universe just… comes together for you if you allow it to work itself and be patient. People need to understand that some no’s are protection. Not that you are inept or lacking anything. Timing is everything and as long as you are hitting your deadlines, the rest is out of your control… Just chill….. It’s hard for me too. When I’m not working I feel like I am in trouble in 1st grade again, internally…
The thing I am most proud of, I already touched base on… My team… Lord!, My team! My team! My team! Without them, I am nothing. I am amazing at what I do, but in my line of services, if you don’t have a team… It’s like having a record that you paid the feature for but didn’t get the necessary clearances to properly release… You can’t do anything with it… Listen to it in your headphones? Lol… I seriously pray every day just to give thanks that he has aligned the people in my life today. You don’t get out of hell without putting one foot in front of the other… I have done that so many times in my life BUT.. some priceless people found me along the way. I am a firm believer that the higher power works through people, and yes.. I said found ME.. I didn’t look for them…They just rolled into my life and we picked up like we have been knowing each other all our lives… It’s all blessed. I put my stamp on it.
I always meet clients where they are and we strategize and execute from there. I am A.R., P.R., and everything in between. I have a wide exceptional network to make anything…… literally anything happen 🙌🏽
As for my branding, I am affiliated with Cash Money Records, FYB Records, The Hype Magazine, Tarantino1440 and many many more.
By saying that, if someone I am affiliated with piques your interest, 🗣️. I will see what I can do for your vision… I host events, I love radio… someone needs to get me on the mic! America will LOVE ME! I come raw, uncut, and with no smoke screen. I can only give my truths…the rest doesn’t matter to me… Someone always has something to say…Plus I’m a Scorpio.. a Nov Scorpio at that… You cant tell me anything… If it’s a duck, It’s a duck. I model so if anyone has a product line (no freaky *ish); I am open to journeys. Again, dm me and we can have a conversation and find a way that working together makes sense and we are all happy to proceed forward. That’s key.. you have to be happy moving forward.. by happy I mean yes, happy like smiling, etc but to be happy with a clear soul because you know you are doing right by your people… no amount of gold can pay for that internal stability.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Oooooouuuu child!… deep breath* The lesson I had to unlearn was trusting… diving head first with people..having faith in people… I know that sounds dark but understand… I wasn’t always where I am today with my surroundings… Who you keep in your everyday life does matter. You will find yourself applying efforts to solve things and run yourself ragged behind someone, just to spit in your face… Not even a sloppy tag on IG after pulling in 40K at the door for a birthday bash with a week’s notice to plan…. 3 hrs away from the town I was in… Do you think I got a “Thank You”?… Oh no, I’m serious!… No, No, I did not…Did I see a red cent to put in my fuel tank at least considering I drove my vehicle as it was last minute and couldn’t get a rental? No. No I did not. I left right after the party to drive 3 hrs back, sleepless to return to my day job…Not even a second thought from him. Dropped an album for him through Empire after being voluntold he had 2 weeks to hit the deadlines or it was pushed back… and I pulled it off knowing nothing.. (Thank You @cuttaclassic c/c: Castle Row Studios) 🌹 Do you think he mentioned his “manager aka “Me” to Ghazi 1 time? Hell no!… Entitled, self-centered, and morally broke individuals make me crazy.. ESP when you want to have faith that the person will do you how you would do them… In a “perfect” world right?.. I resigned and have never looked back. Family, friends, and acquaintances… It doesn’t matter, they are all the same… Surround yourself with genuine people… I don’t mean “rich” people, granted I’m not going to lie to you…. Having friends and family who have it like that is more than a blessing,…I mean moralistic people. People who will feed your soul, your ambition, and your mind. People who will be at your funeral front and center talking about how amazing you are. If you must have rich friends, make sure they know where the real money is… IYKYK.
It took time and a lot of praying but I relearned it as well.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Not so much… It WOULD have been awesome to have IG in the 90’s 😆 OMG! The world wasn’t ready for me lol…

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Nmcali714

Image Credits

Credits affiliated with:
BPace Productions c/c 1BPace
The Hype Magazine
Jerry Doby
Tahmell a.k.a The Son of Rakim
Jacquees
Marcelle Burke
Official KC Kush
FYB Records
Cash Money Official
Hollywoodpompeii
DJBaby Ced
The Real Tyler Watts
1TylerPigg
Big Money Blitz
Chino Cappin
K.D Aubert
The Punch Line Academy
The Shade 45
Dainphamusamaduez
Mrzgetatem
The UMCs
Haas G
Fantom of the beat
Tarantino1440
highlydishfunctional
mjshiphopconnex
KC Youngboss
The Kansas City Music Group
Kansas City People Choice Awards
Mesa Airlines
Mo3
Its Bluff City
Radiokeem
Paauto1
Birdman
OfficialSlim