Don’t be afraid to take risks. Staying in your comfort zone will not allow you to get the life that you dream of and deserve.
Nicole Thompson is a certified school psychologist, educator, author, public speaker, and mentor to urban youth. She is a Philadelphia native and a product of the environment that she is so passionate about serving. She completed her graduate studies at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and her undergraduate studies at Temple University.
Nicole is the creator of Reverse the Adverse, a trauma-informed care training. It is specifically designed for educators and mental health professionals that work with school-aged urban students (grades K-12). The goal of Reverse the Adverse is to raise awareness of the impact that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma has on urban students, and teach strategies to better serve such a vulnerable population.
In her role as a school psychologist, she worked in a large urban high school serving over 1,000 students with about a third of that population being special education. During this time, she collaborated with students, families, staff, and stakeholders from the school and community to better serve the student population. She founded a female empowerment group named Frankford’s Finest Females, which sparked the creation of an annual all female Black history program.
Nicole has spoken at Harvard School Mental Health Conference, Internal Family Systems Conference, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Keystone Conference, and numerous schools.
She is a co-author of a book, Black Therapists Rock: A Glimpse Through the Eyes of Experts. In her chapter, she reveals the horrific events that sent my mom into a depression so deep that she gave up her will to live and completely neglected her 5 children (all ages 13 and under). Nicole shares the intimate details of her life that led her to be a motherless child, and the impact it had on her when she saw her mother’s dead body lying next to her.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has a negative impact on how urban students learn, their behaviors, and how they form relationships with educators. I started the company to raise awareness and teach educators how to better serve urban students impacted by ACEs and provide strategies to better serve such vulnerable population.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts off with prayer, meditation and some light journaling. If it’s during the school year, I get my kids out to school and then do some housekeeping such as emails and calls. I schedule my days based on what tasks needs to be done and make sure I stick to the schedule that I have. I usually block my day off in increments. Depending on the day, I maybe speaking at a conference, conducting a training at a school, or doing interviews.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write the ideas down and start to execute immediately. I do this because I’ve noticed that the longer I wait, the more the energy behind the idea starts to fizzle and eventually fall to the wayside.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Online courses really excite me because they provide time freedom for the creator and those that invested. It’s all about flexibility and I love it!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Setting goals, short-term and long-term, and then making daily tasks to achieve those goals. I write all my goals down and keep them somewhere visible so I can constantly be reminded of them daily. I’ll usually write the goals in a couple of different places, usually my work area and the refrigerator.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Staying in your comfort zone will not allow you to get the life that you dream of and deserve.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Everyone has genius level abilities. You just have to find that area that you are super passionate about and tap into it. That’s where the magic happens.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I read and go to conferences all the time. As a leader, you have to be a life-time learner so you can share all the great information with those you serve.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Networking. I know many people cringe when they hear that word but it is crucial to personal growth and the growth of your company. No one can be successful on their own and there’s always someone out there that have what you need and vice versa.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Hitting a brick wall with word of mouth referrals. I overcame it by investing in a business coach that specializes in online marketing. Since then, I have been able to market myself and not sit around and hope that people are spreading the word about my business.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Everyone has an area of expertise that they can package and sell. The area that you specialize in is your golden ticket. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and have confidence in your knowledge and abilities. Online courses and YouTube are perfect vehicles for this.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I purchased a meditation app called Calm and it has been so beneficial. It provides daily meditations, masterclasses, music and more. It keeps me grounded and focused when life gets hectic, which is quite often since I’m an entrepreneur.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
I use Google tasks daily. Since it’s on the screen with my email, I’m constantly reminded of the items I have to complete. Once I complete those items, I check them off. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when I finish. Seeing a blank sidebar at the end of the day makes me happy.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I believe everyone should read it because it’s all about setting goals, keeping the goal in mind by meditating on it daily, working on it, and seeing it come to fruition. A positive mindset is important in business and life, and this book is a blueprint for that.
What is your favorite quote?
“Many a true word is spoken in jest.” – Geoffrey Chaucer
Key Learnings:
- Make goals, keep them visible, and work towards them consistently to accomplish them.
- Take time for yourself everyday because life gets hectic.
- Everyone has genius abilities. Find that area and develop it to see the magic happen.
Connect:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.