To-do lists in motherhood, fashion that evolves with every venture, and the power of community—it’s only a fraction of the unique experiences and thoughts Nicole Vasquez brings to her conversation with Anna Anisin.
Nicole Vasquez is the founder of MBD Partners and the Activator Network. She considers building connections and communities her superpower, along with her ability to work with various people and leverage her high social skillset for the benefit of brands and companies.
The beginnings
Nicole Vasquez grew up in Chicago in a Filipino-Croatian household, learning how to bridge cultures and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
“Since I was very young, I always wanted to bring different people to the table,” she recalls when asked how her heritage impacted her approach. These experiences shaped her as a leader, thinker, and community builder.
Serial Community Builder
The theme of community building was the leitmotif of her career. “I’ve basically been doing this my entire career,” she says. “That’s my superpower.”
Initially, she scaled two neighborhood-serving co-working spaces and sold them later. She then led a marketplace across 20 countries before launching her relationship-driven agency. Now she advises executives and professionals on forging meaningful relationships as a consultant and trainer.
Obviously, this approach required her to excel at networking.
Style of networking
From Nicole’s perspective, networking is essential for business, and fashion is a powerful tool in that context. A strong style and bold outfit helped her overcome imposter syndrome.
“If I show up looking incredible…it takes away the anxiety,” she says. Yet her style evolved depending on the environment, from tech-startup hoodies to power blazers in elite executive rooms.
Looking marvelous was especially challenging during event days, when everyone was delivering their best look. On the other hand, it’s exhausting to maintain that standard even while commuting.
“You dress up a little more at work and bring heels in your bag,” she advises.
The efficient motherhood
Being a successful entrepreneur was a challenge in itself. Yet being a mother is also a challenge not to be underestimated. Surprisingly, business and organizational skills proved effective in parenting too.
“Keep a list on your phone…every moment counts,” says Nicole. “Lean into what you can do right now,” she adds.
Summary
In a closing round, Nicole and Anna engaged in a rapid-fire session, exchanging “this or that” questions about shoes, business, and fashion.
The full episode can be found on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
