We had the good fortune of connecting with Nichole Bain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichole, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Portland OR. After high school, I spent a year at Oregon State University before transferring to Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. where I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design.

Growing up I have always been artistic & involved in as many programs, activities & sports as possible. Such as cheer, dance, basketball, softball, NAACP Portland youth chapter & ACSO to name a few. Later becoming a member of a prominent women’s black Greek letter organization as well as joining toastmasters, Black MBA association & becoming a member of my undergraduate Alumni chapter.

I’d say the combination of staying active & in constant connection with many diverse people from various backgrounds naturally set me up to be inquisitive, open & accepting of all walks of life, and excepting of all perspectives.

Who I am today is someone who listens first, asks questions & is constantly in search of piecing together what makes people happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first love & dream for a career was to be an artist. After finishing undergrad and taking an entry level job at a major shoe company I found myself hitting a glass ceiling and struggling to make it as a professional artist. Feeling defeated I decided to diversify my portfolio & get an MBA so that I could land positions bigger then small supporting staff jobs.

My decision eventually paid off. It took a little time, and after working in commercial real estate, a bakery & a few law firms I finally got a shot to work as a government employee in finance of all things! I attribute this job to the skills I sharpened in my MBA program.

To satisfy my creative itch I also opened my own online cupcakery where I was able to build my own website, create my logo & branding, spend time perfecting recipes of cakes & frostings then decorate & sell them! I’m a one man production & it has been so fun!

What I learned along the way is that there are many ways to be successful, & learning to pivot has been a key to my success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I now live in the DC metro area and there so many fun things to do with access to so many fun city’s!

My week long itinerary would go as follows.

Day 1. Get settled in & recover from flying. Dinner at one of my favorite hidden gems in Alexandria, VA called Lena’s. They rotate the visual concept of their restaurant annually & right now it is set to a Cuban Havana nights lounge. It’s absolutely stunning, and the menu is amazing.

Day 2. Let’s explore the National Mall. There is something for everyone. Monuments, museums shops! You name it. We got it. In my opinion, the best way to see the Mall is to take a Big Bus Tour that allowed you to listen to a guide explain what you are seeing & you can get off & on the bus for more exploring.

Day 3. Wine country. Both Maryland & Virginia have some top notch wineries. I’d spend a day exploring the hill sides and finding new favorite wines.

Day 4. Let’s hop a train to NY! That’s right! My day four would be jammed pack with a 6am Amtrak ride north. We would get in town just in time for lunch, catch a mid day show on Broadway, visit Time Square then back to the train we go to be back in town around 11p

Day 5. Recovery day. With all the walking & ripping & running. This would be a lazy day. We would find a cozy coffee shop. I like Totte or Paul’s (many locations around the city) & later in the evening we could find a secret speakeasy or a cigar lounge.

Day 6. We would visit the national harbor where we would find a casino, shopping, dining & water taxis that would take us on a tour of the Potomac, stopping at places like Old Town Alexandria, VA & Georgetown. DC. before returning back to the National Harbor in Maryland.

Day 7. At this point we have seen & done a lot so I would reserve this day for a local experience. We would go off the commercial path & spend the day doing local stuff. Maybe visit some amazing small black owned shops & restaurants. take a drive to Baltimore for seafood at Nicks Fish House or visit the National Aquarium.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shot out goes to my family who has always been my pillar of strength & biggest encouragers to go for my dreams!

An additional shot out goes to my cohost Leigh LaRié who is my partner in crime, motivator, and sounding bored to bounce both good & bad ideas off of with no judgement.

Website: https://www.DirtyRosesPodcast.com

Instagram: @NikB_NikB

Facebook: @NicholeLeighLa

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dirtyrosespodcast?si=APKTilVk6mHNLQc5

Other: www.PinkBambooCupcakes.com
@pinkbamboocupcakes (IG)

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