Hidden Gems: Meet Nikki Velasco of Nikki Velasco Mindset Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Velasco

Hi Nikki, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always known that whatever career path I chose, I would be of service to others. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, among my answers were “doctor”, “nurse”, or “teacher”. It was evident that the theme within all of these professions was the same– to be of service to others.

As I grew older, my mission remained the same, however, the vision I had for the way I would live out that mission changed. I didn’t become a doctor, or a nurse, but I did find interest in understanding the human mind and I became curious about why we do what we do as human beings. Because of this, I spent my time in undergrad studying psychology, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of California San Diego. Upon graduating I thought I had a clear roadmap for my future, with a defined plan to become a licensed therapist. However, as life often goes, things didn’t unfold the way I anticipated.

I spent a few years working in a neuroscience lab after graduating and due to personal circumstances, I moved back in with my parents at the age of 25 and started working at my first corporate job. I was grateful to have a good paying job and I knew I was good at what I did but after almost three years in the same position, I started to feel unfulfilled. Somewhere along the way I had lost sight of my purpose in life, my mission. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant for something more. Was I meant to stay at this corporate job forever? Is there something better out there for me?

This marked a pivotal moment in my life. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was going through a deep identity shift. I was transitioning into a new phase of my life, a total dismantling of what I knew to be real and true for me at the time. I took a hard, honest look at myself—my beliefs, my fears, and the trajectory of my life and I knew it was time for me to fulfill my purpose.

I was in need of guidance during this period, so I dove headfirst into the self-development world. I read books about personal growth, listened to podcasts, followed mindset and manifestation coaches on Instagram, started practicing yoga and meditation, took breathwork classes, and began to change the way I showed up for myself every day.

By implementing these new practices and knowledge into my routine, I was able to heal, grow, and become a better version of myself. I was inspired by the work I saw many coaches do online and was especially fascinated by the way their work impacted others. I saw the impact it had on my life and I knew I wanted to do the same thing for others. It was then when I decided I was ready to become a coach and help others work on themselves and life the life of their dreams.
In late 2020 I started my own coaching business.

The thought of starting my own business was completely daunting to me but I knew I had to start somewhere! The first thing I did was research everything there is to know about starting a coaching business and I invested in different programs and trainings that helped me refine my coaching skills. I shared my new venture with friends and family and started to embody my new role as a coach. Over time my clientele grew thanks to referrals from past clients. Then in April 2021 I decided to take a chance on myself and the vision I had for my life. I left my corporate job and dove into my business full time. I am now four years into my business and with each day that passes I am grateful to my past self for making the decision to embark on this journey!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After being in business for almost four years I know one thing to be true– if you want to speed up your personal growth and you want to see what you’re truly capable of, become an entrepreneur.

When I started my business, I knew that it wouldn’t be an easy road. What I didn’t know was how much healing I would need to go through in order to succeed. Being an entrepreneur has brought up all of my deep-rooted fears and doubts to the surface and I have had to face them all head on. I have dealt with fear of failure, judgment, and often found myself questioning if I was good enough or even worthy of success in my business. The most important lesson I have learned is that failure is a part of business. A mentor of mine once said something to me that has stuck with me ever since. She said that “if you are going to fail, which you will…fail fast.” Owning a business is all about trying something new, failing at it, then quickly getting back up on your feet and trying again until you figure out what works. This is the key to building resilience.

Despite all these fears I continue to move forward towards my goal of helping others through the work I do.

I am almost four years into my business and although I am not quite where I want to be in my business yet, I know that I am heading in the right direction. I am proud of the woman I was, the woman I am, and the woman I am becoming.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As a mindset coach, I help people unlock their full potential by shifting the way they think and approach challenges. I work with my clients on identifying limiting beliefs, reframing negative thought patterns, and setting clear, empowering goals. In the work I do, I emphasize the importance of the connection between the mind and body. As a society we treat the mind as separate from the body when in reality, it is all connected. Through personalized strategies, I provide tools and support to help them build confidence, connection, resilience, and clarity, so they can live a life they are proud of. My mission is to inspire lasting change by helping individuals align their mindset with the life they truly want to create.

Over the past 4 years I have dedicated my time to learning the skillset necessary to give the most value to my clients. I have become certified in different modalities which I have incorporated into my work as a coach. Since starting my business, I have been certified in life coaching, breathwork, hypnotherapy, emotional freedom technique, T.I.M.E. Techniques, and Reiki level 1. I am continuing to expand my knowledge in different modalities, and I know they will help my clients as much as they have helped me thus far.

The exciting thing about owning my own business is that I get to continuously improve and tailor my offers for my clients so that they can get the most value from working with me. Currently, I offer multiple services to clients, some of which can be tailored to each person’s individual needs. The most personalized way of working with me is through my one-on-one containers. I offer one-on-one mindset coaching and one-on-one breathwork sessions. My mindset coaching programs range from three months or six months, depending on each individual’s goals and needs. My one-on-one breathwork sessions can be either one stand-alone session or a package of four sessions to be used within two months. I also offer breathwork classes, private breathwork for special events, and corporate wellness workshops and retreats!

I recently became a new mom which has given a new life to the way I want to build my business moving forward. I feel more creative and driven than ever! I have been working on new offers behind the scenes and I am so excited to share them with you all in the upcoming months! Stay tuned!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When looking for a mentor, my advice is to look for someone who aligns with your vision and values. It’s important to work with someone who has been where you currently are and who can help guide you towards your goals. Do not be afraid to reach out to people whom you look up to! Be intentional about your conversations with them. Listen to their feedback. Be open to receiving constructive criticism because that is how you will grow and evolve. Find a mentor who listens to you, understands you, and supports you in your vision and goals. I have had the privilege of working with a few mentors throughout my coaching career and each person I have worked with has contributed to my growth in the best way. I only work with mentors who are direct, honest, and who push me to become a better version of myself.

When it comes to networking, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you are building a genuine connection with another person. If you go into a networking event thinking about others as means to an end, that energy can be felt by other people. Instead, approach each networking situation as an opportunity to build connections with others and share about what you do and what your goals are. Be yourself and be open to collaborating and learning from others!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecoachnikki.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoachnikki

Image Credits
Danette Mitchell