Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichomi Higgins.
Hi Nichomi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To summarize a lengthy journey, my path has been winding, but I’ve always been ambitious and creative at heart. I graduated from high school at 16 and earned an Associate in fashion design by 18. I started a business as a part-time seamstress and worked full-time for small designers in Los Angeles. However, the toxic side of the design industry led me back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t gain traction in that field and ended up in store management at Target. Though I disliked working in retail, Target’s leadership development program truly was a game changer! Not only was I equipped with sound leadership fundamentals, I was awakened to one of my superpowers. I discovered that I had a natural ability to motivate, coach and ultimately lead people towards success! This skill set eventually led me to a successful corporate career, but I still felt unfulfilled.
I remember living in Chicago and experiencing what I like to call an “On the floor moment”. These are experiences in which it becomes so clear that you are unhappy that you figuratively find yourself on life’s floor asking, “How in the hell do I get out of this?”
After some really deep soul-searching and research, I decided to become a marriage and family therapist. For some reason, it just made the most sense, lol! I wanted to serve and help others in a way that felt meaningful and authentic. Having lived with depression for many years, I wanted to become the professional that I needed and that my community needed. So I pivoted and never looked back.
My career in behavioral health was a successful one! After completing my degree, I quickly transitioned into leadership and progressed up the corporate ladder; before I was fully licensed, I oversaw operations for a division consisting of a few hundred employees. Despite the positive trajectory of my career, I wanted to do my own thing, but it never felt like the right time. I had grown attached to the symbols of my success, so the fear of pivoting was always intense! Unfortunately, I operated this way for years until I lost my best friend to MS. Devastated and grieving, I realized that life was too unpredictable to play it safe. I wanted to leave this world knowing that I bet on myself and so I made the leap! I started SolCentered Therapy seven years ago! My mission was simple: create a safe space for high-achieving women of color to do deep and meaningful work. I wanted to create a space for the women who everyone assumed had it all figured it out; women like me. That was seven years ago and my goodness have I had the pleasure to work with some of the most amazing clients.
In these seven years, I have also been able to write and publish my first book, speak in front of international audiences, coach clients around the world, fulfill my dream of giving a TEDx talk and so much more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not, lol!! However, it’s a road that I will continue to choose time and time again. While challenges are par the course as a business owner. The struggles that immediately come to mind are two-fold. First, I never expected that my entrepreneurial journey would force me to break patterns of thinking about myself that were rooted in scarcity and imposter syndrome. Faulty beliefs that influenced how I pitched my business, priced my services, set goals, etc. In corporate America, I was able to hide from these parts of me because of the constant external validation that came with doing a good job. However as a business owner, you have to find a reason every day to show up for you and the dream that you are trying to bring to life. I learned early that success as a business owner requires you to create great products and services; it cannot be sustained if you don’t believe in yourself and what you have to offer!
Second, being a solo-preneur is tough and trust me when I say academia never taught me how to run a business, let alone a successful one. Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. So naturally, you look out into the world to see what others are doing and it’s very easy to fall into a nasty game of self-comparison. It is so important during these times to go back to your ideal client blueprint and your mission statement.
In today’s wellness and self-development landscape, it seems like everyone is a coach, motivational speaker, or therapist. With the proliferation of social media and advances in technology, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and opinions out there. On top of that, we’re all grappling with financial insecurity, political uncertainty, and the ever-changing role of artificial intelligence in our lives. While there’s value in seeking guidance from others, it’s also crucial to give yourself permission to turn down the noise and tune into your own thoughts and feelings. For me, learning when, why, and how to do this has been key to maintaining my sanity and staying true to my vision. It’s also allowed me to pivot within my business as needed. Last year, I made the difficult decision to close my therapy practice. Some might say that was crazy, given how highly sought-after therapists are. But for me, it was time. As I’ve grown, my understanding of how to fulfill my purpose has become clearer, and I’ve found new ways to do so that align better with my values and goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a licensed psychotherapist, coach, speaker, and bestselling author of Purposeful Perspectives, I am deeply committed to empowering visionary women with the tools they need to rewrite the stories that hold them back and step fully into their leadership potential. Using a dynamic blend of spiritual wisdom, psychology, and straight talk, I facilitate conversations that help my clients deepen their spiritual connections and find the courage to live and lead in alignment with their deepest values.
Whether I’m leading workshops, providing 1:1 coaching, delivering keynote speeches, or sharing insights on my YouTube channel, my goal is always to provide practical strategies that help women cultivate resilience, strengthen their sense of purpose, and create lives of meaning and impact. Drawing on both science and intuition, I help my clients unlock their true potential and embrace the power of their own voice and vision.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
For me, taking risks isn’t just something I do to challenge myself–it’s an essential part of my growth. That’s why I like to call it “pivoting”–because each time I take a new step forward, I’m not just changing direction, I’m moving into a whole new level of possibility.
Throughout my career, I’ve always been willing to do what it takes to get unstuck and move to that next level. And the biggest pivot I’ve made recently was closing my therapy practice. It was a scary step, but I knew I needed to focus on sharing my gifts through writing and speaking.
As a spiritual person, I believe that running my business in alignment with G-d’s will is crucial. And sometimes, that means taking a few steps back in order to make a big leap forward. Last year, I arrived at that point–it was clear that in order to truly serve, I needed to focus on sharing my insights and experiences in new and different ways.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading hundreds, treating thousands, and mentoring many. And as I continue to pivot and grow, I’m excited to share my gifts with even more people–whether through my writing, speaking, or other platforms that allow me to connect with others in meaningful ways.
Ultimately, I believe that taking risks and pivoting is not just about personal growth–it’s about making a positive impact on the world around us. By daring to step out of our comfort zones and embrace new challenges, we can inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of positive change that transforms lives and communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nichomihiggins.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichomihiggins_lmft/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lhF0PiY61qiHR3aurJcbA?themeRefresh=1
Image Credits
Jaclyn Cruz Photographer, Jaclyn Cruz Photography
