Leading with Purpose: Nicole Vasquez’s Journey to Women’s Advancement

• Nicole’s passion for connecting people led to building businesses focused on community, technology, and mission-driven strategies.
• Her multicultural upbringing shaped her leadership values and passion for women’s empowerment. 
• She believes, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” a mantra that inspires her sense of responsibility to give back.

1. Please share some key moments from your childhood that shaped your values and perspective on leadership and community-building.

My multicultural upbringing was a cornerstone of my childhood and a foundation for my leadership. I’m half Croatian; my parents were born in their home countries and came to the U.S. to build a life for themselves. So, I had three cultures at home—I was Croatian and grew up as an American kid in a Chicago suburb. From a young age, I understood that there are different cultures and different ways of life, and that awareness always inspired me to seek out various perspectives.

Throughout my life, I’ve been the person who brings people together. In my younger days, this meant being the “party planner”—the one always suggesting new activities and rallying everyone to join in on random events. I was curious and eager to learn. My number one trait is that I’m a continual learner, always seeking out new experiences.

2. What inspired you to embark on this journey, and what were the defining moments that led to your work with MBD Partners and The Activator Network?

I realized I wanted to be an entrepreneur while working full-time. I desired to go off on my own and do something, but I didn’t know what that was at the time. I believe in “trying things on for size,” so I began exploring options that aligned with my love for bringing people together.

I started operating a passion project, and that gave me the confidence to pursue starting my own business. I began attending many entrepreneurial events while living in Chicago, learning about entrepreneurship and asking myself, “What’s going to be my official business?”

One day, I attended an event at a large co-working space, which still exists today. It was like a tech incubator working space. When I walked in, I felt “Whoa, where am I?” I looked around and saw people of all kinds—older professionals in suits, young women in hoodies and t-shirts, and everything in between—all working in the same space.

I was inspired. I asked the receptionist, “What is this place?” She explained it was a co-working space. That night, I went home and started researching. I learned about co-working and the idea of a space where different people could come together to work, build a supportive community, and foster connections. I thought, “Wow, this is what I want to do.”

For the next nine months, I obsessively researched and developed a business plan. At the end of that period, I quit my job and opened my first business. This decision led to an entire career centered on entrepreneurship. Over time, I built three different companies focused on the intersection of community, technology, and mission-driven business strategy.

3. What personal experiences have shaped your approach to taking risks and making bold decisions?

There’s a pillar I want to highlight: making bold decisions but ensuring there’s strategy behind them. People always joke, saying, “Wow, you’ve done so many things, taken risks, had businesses, and worked on different projects, but they always seem very calculated.” And I agree. I tell people that making a hard decision is like flexing a muscle. The first time it will be hard, but it gets easier. You just have to keep doing it.

For young women, I share this: I was in a bad relationship in my early 20s. It didn’t start off bad—of course, they never do—but over time, it got worse. I stayed too long because I was young. Eventually, I left. That was the first time I flexed that muscle. I knew in my gut, this was not right. I had two options: stay in the relationship or face the unknown. The unknown was scary. It meant pain, removing mutual friends, and telling people we broke up. It was terrifying. But I thought, I know my future if I stay, and it’s not great—or I can gamble.

Within three months of leaving, I had already found a new amazing boyfriend, and I was living a great life. I remember thinking, “What if I didn’t do this? I would be miserable.”

What I tell people is that the fear of the unknown is scary, but it’s temporary. You have to make bold, hard decisions. Don’t be afraid, but make sure you’re very strategic about it.

4. Mentors play a crucial role in personal and professional growth. Did you have someone who significantly influenced your career? What lessons did you learn from them?

For me, Melinda French Gates is my celebrity idol because she is an incredible career woman. She started at IBM and then moved to Microsoft, where she led multiple business teams. At the height of her career, she stepped back to stay with her kids. Later, when she returned to the workforce, she dedicated herself not only to working but to running the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

For me, this represents the most beautiful combination of business expertise and a commitment to improving the lives of others. She and her team didn’t just say, “We want to help people.” They took a data-driven approach, asking, “How can we have the most impact?” They analyzed data and launched numerous initiatives around the world.

Her dedication inspires me—it’s who I want to be when I grow up. Melinda French Gates has been my celebrity idol and indirect mentor for many years.

5. With such a dynamic and impactful career, how do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life?

I’ve been through the entrepreneur days of the hustle, the grind, and the 11-hour workdays.

 I was operating a physical co-working space, so I was there Monday through Sunday, all day and night. But at that time, I loved it. I’m not here to say that you shouldn’t hustle. I loved doing it. I loved the hustle, and I still enjoy it.

The idea is to grow your business to a place where it’s efficient. The best businesses are the ones that can run without you because you have it operating. To balance this with my personal life, I make time for travel. When I travel, especially internationally, I want to enjoy it because that also leads to my balance. It makes me a more well-rounded person.

If you want work-life balance, you have to have an efficient, optimized business, and that takes time. But as an entrepreneur, you have to make mistakes and learn from them.

6. Beyond your professional endeavors, what are some of your passions and interests?

Aside from travel, my passion is women’s advancement. My entire life has been dedicated to advancing women and providing them with opportunities. I’ve started many communities focused on women and have been part of others’ communities with the same focus. I just got back from the Reiki Global Forum, which brings together leaders from around the world to focus on achieving gender equality.

Outside of that, I’m writing a book—slowly but steadily. Anything that has to do with learning excites me. I joke that I’ll go anywhere I haven’t been and try anything as long as it’s not illegal. This makes me a more dynamic person.

7. Is there a quote, mantra, or book that you often turn to for inspiration and guidance in your life and work?

“To whom much is given, much is expected.” I was blessed to have a good education, a loving home, an intelligent mind, and an energy that’s out of this world. I feel it is my responsibility to give back to others. So many people are born in places they have no control over and face very hard paths. I believe I am utterly responsible for helping others have a better life because I was privileged to have a good one.

Nicole Vasquez’s journey reflects her passion for women’s advancement and her commitment to giving back. She has impacted those around her through her work in building communities and supporting gender equality. With a curious spirit and a dedication to learning, Nicole continues to inspire by living her values and leading with purpose.