We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nikol Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nikol below.
Nikol, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
After I graduated from college I took a job – out of fear, mostly – with an insurance company because it was a “good job.” Although I was being promoted, and had regular pay raises and bonuses, I never really enjoyed the work. And it’s not a coincidence that multiple people would ask me, “Why are you here? or “Why do you work here?” Clearly, they saw something in me that didn’t connect with the work I was doing.
Every time I would talk myself up and get the courage to put in my notice, I’d get talked into staying by a well-intentioned family member. I was afraid of not having a consistent income, nervous about losing everything, making the wrong decision for my life and everything going downhill.
I finally got the guts to do it!! I conquered my fear and put in my notice. It was the best thing I could have ever done, and I was so proud of myself for finally doing it! Once I left, I felt like I was able to do anything!! I wasn’t making the money I was used to, but I was the happiest I’d ever been … and I survived!! I used my new free time to pursue acting and modeling, and I started my business, NIKOL Talent Group, which is a boutique fashion events firm specializing in runway coaching, fashion show production, audition hosting, and model bookings. This was a business born because I did not let fear hold me back!
After three years of working as a freelance model, actor, and entrepreneur, God opened a door for me at the Oprah Winfrey Network. It was supposed to be a six-week Production Assistant gig, which turned into a six-year start of my career in television. I was even promoted to a hand-picked team selected to produce all of the Oprah content for OWN, Apple TV+, HBO, Netflix, and CBS… I never saw that coming!
Leaving my “safe” job was a great lesson for me, and still one of the most memorable, and proudest moments of my life. Who knows where I would have been today if I would have stayed, but I know how happy I am that I left.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In 2012, I quit my day job in insurance and took a risk on myself as a model and actress. I had already been runway modeling for awhile at that point and had made some connections. I started getting calls from designers and stylists seeking models for runway shows, photo shoots, promo modeling, etc., and I realized that I was connecting people and could make it a business. That’s when NIKOL Talent Group (NTG) was born! NTG is your one-stop-shop for fashion events! We specialize in runway coaching and choreography, fashion show production, audition hosting, and model booking. We also have a roster of hair stylists, makeup artists, and photographers available for booking.
Through NTG, I’ve had the pleasure of working for various fashion weeks and events in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, Orange County, and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I’ve also booked models for television appearances on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox, KCAL, and We TV.
In 2017, I co-founded One Strut Runway Entertainment Group with some model friends. One Strut is a runway performance troupe that specializes in runway choreography. Rather than seeing a typical fashion show where the models walk to the tip of the runway and back, One Strut models will have choreographed, synchronized movements in partners, groups, or patterns while walking to the rhythm of the music.
Our following on social media grew after our viral “Don’t Do It” video in 2019, and we’ve had the pleasure of performing in various fashion weeks and shows in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Although the core-partnership has changed since 2017, One Strut still going strong with a current group of 11 male and female models of various shades, shapes, and sizes fighting to entertain audiences while breaking beauty standards!
Outside of my entrepreneurial endeavors in fashion events, I work as television producer and have produced shows on OWN, Amazon, and Paramount, including SuperSoul Sunday, Home Made Simple, The Oprah Conversation, and Oprah with Meghan and Harry. I’ve also had the pleasure of working in digital food and wellness content, podcasts and audio meditations, and online courses.
In 2021, I was able to combine my fashion and television skills when I produced and edited the first virtual fashion show for One Strut. It was so thrilling and fulfilling, and I learned so much more than expected while working on my own project! It definitely sparked a new passion for me!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, in my opinion, is exceeding my own expectations. Life has thrown me some unexpected curveballs, and I’ve surprised myself with some of the ideas and solutions I’ve come up with.
In 2020, One Strut booked a live fashion show performance in Phoenix, Arizona. Then the pandemic hit, and everything was canceled. In 2021 they contacted us about doing the show, but they wanted it to be virtual. This was something I had never done before, and I had no idea where to start. Not only was it an amazing show at a beautiful venue, but I edited the entire show myself! I would have never thought that I could do all that I did on that project, and I was so proud of myself!
In 2023, I was laid off from my job and was looking for a creative way to make money through NIKOL Talent Group. I decided I was going to do a runway coaching tour, where I traveled to five different cities and held runway coaching classes for local aspiring models. I was nervous and scared before every class, but I was so happy I did it! It was thinking outside of the box, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone … and it was something else I didn’t expect from me.
Each time I surprise myself and exceed my own expectations, it boosts my confidence, leads to greater self-image, and stronger self-belief. And that personal growth as a result of my artistic and creative nature is what’s most rewarding for me.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
One of my favorite books that has not only helped me in life, but also in my career and business endeavors is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It gives four principles or pillars by which to live your life.
The first agreement is: Be impeccable with your word. This basically means say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t be frivolous with the things coming out of your mouth, speaking negativity or gossip. Use your words to speak life and love into yourself and other.
The second agreement is: Don’t take things personally. How others react and respond has more to do with them than it does you. Understand that, and it’ll help to avoid a lot of confusion and frustration.
The third agreement is: Don’t make assumptions. Have conversations, ask questions, communicate clearly. Our assumptions are not always correct, so clear it up to avoid miscommunications as much as possible.
The final and fourth agreement is: Always do your best. Pushing ourselves to be the best we can be is how we get to the next level, That’s how we accomplish our goals. And not only will you be proud of yourself, no matter the outcome you’ll know you did your very best!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nikoldavis.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sooorinikulous
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runwaynikol
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikol-davis/
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/sooorinikulous
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@smee863
Image Credits
Franchelle Robinson
Tribunal Justice
Louis Cuthbert
Charles Jackson, Jr.
Angles & Attitude
Tru Dat Media
Jaimie Milner