We were lucky to catch up with Nina Simmons recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nina, appreciate you joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

This is a great question. Brenda Cobb. The best boss I’ve ever had. I worked for an aviation title company years ago. I worked my way up in that company and I would hear about this Brenda Cobb being a difficult person to work with. She was one of the VP’s in the company. I would go in her office to bring her documents and I just never saw her in that light. I always wanted to make her laugh because the job would get extremely frustrating at times. I heard she needed an assistant, I wanted to learn the in’s and outs about the industry and I knew she could teach me. She was tough, exact and on point, no way you could run over this woman. In this what they would call a “Good Ol Boys” club, she made her own lane and demanded respect. I was her shadow. Working with someone like that can be difficult when you make a mistake, there were many times I had to go lick my wounds because I messed up a wire or missed a document and held up a million dollar transaction, but I tell you she taught me how to be a respected business woman, pay attention to every detail, stay on point in every transaction and do not accept mistakes. So many years have passed and we still laugh about our wild time in that office. And when she reads this she’ll know why she is still my favorite “Fat Bottom Girl”. With Love To My Favorite Boss.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am known as Nina Dior or Nina Simmons, I am a multi published Fashion Photographer in Dallas. My work has been published from New York City to Los Angeles to Paris, France. I absolutely love Photography. My desire when I shoot an editorial is to tell a story in the most gorgeous light possible. When I have a normal everyday shoot with a client, it is the same way, I want to tell their story beautifully. Present them with a timeless untouchable moment. Every client is personal to me so I take time with them and get them comfortable with trusting me. That will come out when I’m photographing them in a beautiful yet vulnerable way . It’s like walking up a mountain, takes some time to get there but when you do, there is the money shot. I am also a Realtor, I treat my buyers and sellers the exact same as I do my Photography clients. It’s all personal to me. Nina Dior is something I want recognized as a classy, super creative, respectable and dependable brand that breaks down doors in the fashion industry as well as in Real Estate.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One book in particular that stands out is “You are a badass”, by Jen Sincero. I read this book years ago and It has stuck with me through out my career. It teaches you how to stop doubting yourself and live a confident and inspired life. This is extremely important in Entrepreneurship, especially for me being a creative, self doubt comes in often. You hesitate to put your dreams and ideas in front of the world. But after reading this book, I learned to care less about what the world thinks! I’m brilliant! You don’t have to think so, but I do! I have a purpose here and I just refuse to let the crazy world we live in diminish my light with opinions. This book helps you navigate through that. It is a great read.

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

My reputation came about because of my photography initially. I built my photography career from the ground up, literally from nothing and that taught me how to speak to and handle people, because I had to get out in front of people to market my work. I always knew how to make people smile and laugh so that was easy, but I had to learn how to put together, manage and run a successful photoshoot and still get the shots I needed. So I decided to do what I would want my photographer to do. I had amazing music, brought great energy, I like my clients to have friends with them so they are comfortable and I bring the good shots. Every shoot I do is different but I have a consult to determine what direction I go. It is allll about my client and making sure they know it. As a photographer, it is about helping your subject recognize their features and bringing them out beautifully, gaining that trust. I seem to do that well and it has brought me a very good reputation in DFW.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.NinaDior.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninadior.the.realtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninadiorrealestate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninadiorrealestate/

Image Credits

Faith Knight
Nichole Luke
Jolie Rashawn
Talayeh Higgs
Maxxbeautyofficial
Tempting Love