Meet Nicole B-Z: Creative Leadership Coach, Small Business Success Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole B-Z and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I started my first business when I was 23. I was an audio engineer kicking around with some very creative, very proactive PUNKS and we built our own studio! This was a creative space in a warehouse, and it wasn’t perfect, but it let us play after our day job at a massive, top-of-the-line studio in Sydney Australia. Film scores by day, death metal by night. It was a brilliant, sleepless time. All of my 30+ business have been started to fill a hole. After starting a second, much more swish studio, I realized, to grow our reputation, the records we worked on needed more attention. So, I started a record label. In order to sell records, the bands needed to tour, so I started a touring company. In order for our shows to sell out, the bands needed better management. Yup, you know what happened next. I started my coaching business because I believe in art, small business, and visionary trailblazers. None of us can sleep if we’re not following our passion. I wish recording and production was my super power, but supporting creatives and monetizing passion is my calling. Now I have a few businesses that I focus on, alongside volunteering with SCORE, and embracing my gypsy lifestyle.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
BZ Coaching started in January 2017. Honestly, I was totally turned off by the “coaching” business, working as a COO at a large, Colorado cannabis company, and doing my best after having retired from the music and arts non-profit world, after 20 years of 24/7 work. I have studied business for years, even getting an MBA at the Sydney Opera House (long story)! I have 20 years of experience. I have started and lead over 30 businesses. I’ve lived 9 lives.! After my cannabis gig, I could say I had corporate experience (it was my first big girl job – but wearing a suit, and passing a bong around a 27th floor board room in down town Denver just didn’t quite do it for me). I wanted to get back into the creative world, but I was scared! Money, influence, education means nothing if you’re not following your passion. Enabling creative visionaries – and you can be a photographer or an accountant, it’s not about the WORK, its how you THINK about your work – to monetize their passion and grow their businesses became an obsession. Of course it’s challenging to start a business. I actually started a few so that my coaching could remain my passion! Many will tell you, you can’t be multi-passionate, you have to blahblahblah. I’ve never been able to follow the rules or do what I am told. Now, I get to surround myself with incredibly talented and inspired leaders, and we are creating the world we want to live in, one business, one customer, and one inspired offering at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend did come to visit! Obviously, I took her camping, tubing, hiking, and to see some live music and art. We went on a little Colorado road trip, through Rocky Mountain National Park with a stop at The Stanley Hotel, down Poudre Canyon to the Mishawaka for food and music, and then we got lost in the sights and sounds of Fort Collin’s Bohemian Nights (and I always stop by my absolute favorite, totally insane, completely immersive art hole, but, that’s not for the masses – only those willing to explore). I love showing Colorado off. There’s so many fun road trips and honey spots. The live music scene beats any city (besides New Orleans). The galleries and artists that sprinkle this entire state are unbelievable. The summer art fairs attract world-class makers and creators. You can drive in any direction from Denver and create a one-of-a-kind adventure for anyone, tickling their most indulgent delights, be it wine or tractors, metal-smithing or climbing, any time of year.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All the artists out there. The musicians, the visual artists, the digital artists, the ones who defy description – they make this world beautiful, unique, and truly create our inspired future. They don’t deserve a little credit, they deserve it all. Look around, you’ll see the beauty they selflessly give our communities, our lives, and our world, everyday. Stop and listen, you’ll hear their sounds, people talking about their ideas, and read their words. Without art and creativity, we are destitute. Why travel, even to a neighboring community? Why learn, if we’re just echoing outdated thoughts and concepts? Why experience anything, if it’s driven by bottom lines and machines? When I say support your local artist, I mean GIVE THEM MONEY EVERYDAY. Buy local goods, services, and products. Go WAY out of your way to support small business. For every dollar you spend on Amazon, spend $5 at a farmers market or independent online shop. Don’t feel guilty or pretend it away and say you can’t afford to pay people what they’re worth. Our economy and your neighborhood depends on your willingness to invest in your community. This is on YOU.

Website: www.nicolebz.com
Instagram: /nicolebzcoaching
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbzcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBZCoaching
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXr2Os45PYgxSQ_UDLf4E_A

Image Credits
Scott McCormick