Nicole Cruz: From 10 Years of Corporate Success to Living Bravely Toward Her Purpose

Nicole Cruz is a TEDx speaker and Life and Leadership coach for 1st and 2nd generation immigrants of color. In this episode, Nicole shares her incredible journey from a successful corporate career to taking a leap of faith and living bravely toward her purpose.

Discover how Nicole overcame imposter syndrome, navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, and found fulfillment in serving her community. With raw honesty and genuine passion, Nicole inspires us to embrace radical shifts in mindset and embodiment.

Who do you serve and why?

I serve folks of color with immigrant roots. As the daughter of Filipino immigrants, I understand the nuances of navigating 2 cultures, sets of beliefs, and expectations. In a predominantly white coaching industry, I love providing culturally-aware services to my community.

How long have you been in business?

4 years, going on 5.

What were you doing before you started this business?

I had an 11 year career in health insurance at a huge multi-billion dollar organization.

How & why did you start this business?

After a transformative year of full-time travel, I realized that I wanted a career that supports my values of freedom and service. I feel like I’ve been coaching all my life and I started my business to create the direct impact in my community that I’ve always wanted to. I started first by offering free sessions to close friends and family. Those sessions solidified that I have natural gifts for coaching, space-holding, and supporting others.

The most pivotal moment in my business was…

A pivotal moment was when I hosted a free workshop for an Asian community organization, The Cosmos. It was the first time I hosted a workshop to strangers and I met some of my very first clients through that experience. That experience gave me the confidence to really commit to serving a specific community and addressing their unmet needs.

If there’s anything you could change in your story, what would it be and why?

I wish I had coaching sooner! I felt like I was struggling for a long time and didn’t have the resources to help me. If I had culturally-aware support earlier in my career, I may have quit my job sooner or realized what I truly wanted years ago.

What has been the most fulfilling part of your entrepreneurial journey?

I’m so proud of myself for building something from the ground up and navigating all the internal growth and transformation that it requires. I love seeing my clients transform right before my eyes and start making brave self-honoring choices. I’m so glad that I get to do what I love every single day.

What has been the most challenging part of your entrepreneurial journey?

Entrepreneurship is an intense form of self-development. It forces you to deal with your insecurities, your self-doubt, your people-pleasing, your thoughts about money. Because ALL of that impacts your business.

If you had to do it all over again, what would be your response?

YES. 1000x yes, I would do it all over again.

How to find Nicole Cruz and support her brand:

Website: nicolecruzcoaching.com/coaching
Instagram: instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching
How to Work with Nicole:
– Private Coaching for 1st & 2nd Gen Immigrant Leaders
– Group Coaching – Living Bravely – for 1st & 2nd Gen Immigrants who want to make brave career moves

Tune into the From Passion to Profit™️ Podcast: https://passion-to-profit.captivate.fm/