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Nicole Walker is an award award-winning-winning podcaster, global influencer, international speaker, podcast launch coach, and women empowerment advocate. Nicole attributes much of her success to starting her podcast, WinHers United, and often talks about how podcasting “literally changed her life”.
The Tampa Bay resident has been named a Top 50 Mom in Podcasting, a 2020 Top Influencer, and was nominated for the 2021 Excellence in Audio Media Award. Nicole speaks on various topics pertaining to business, mindset, and podcasting. She has spoken at events such as Afros & Audio, Podcast Movement, Podfest, and Tampa Bay Startup Week.
Nicole’s podcast has received numerous accolades such as being ranked among the top 5% of podcasts worldwide, and winning the 2020 Best Black Business Podcast Award. In 2020 Nicole created the first WinHers United Virtual Summit, which was an international success. In 2021 Nicole joined the Afros & Audio team as the Sponsorship Manager to assist with acquiring sponsors for the annual Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival.
Driven by the premise of being and doing better, the podcaster/coach uses her experience and knowledge to help others with business and personal development. Nicole is the proud mother of two children, and when she is not working she enjoys traveling, eating, and scrapbooking.
Fancy: Please tell us a little bit about where you are from?
Nicole: I am actually from New Jersey; however, I currently live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I moved to the Tampa area four years ago and instantly fell in love. The weather is amazing, and there is literally always something to do or somewhere great to eat. Two of the things I love best about the Tampa area are the podcasting community I found down here and the numerous entrepreneurial events. Moving to Tampa was truly one of the best decisions for my life! In addition to this, I love living in the state of Florida because it’s like living life on [a] vacation. I live within driving distance to some of the country's best beaches and most visited vacation spots such as Orlando and Miami.
Fancy: So tell us about WinHers United.
Nicole: I believe that success leaves clues, and WinHers United was created to give aspiring and current Women of Color Entrepreneurs the clues they need to succeed in business as well as life. WinHers United started on March 1, 2018, with the start of my podcast which was called She Leads Podcast: Leadership Empowerment for Women of Color. Since 2018, WinHers United has evolved from only being podcast episodes to encompassing events and fostering a community of like-minded women that want to win in all areas of life. The pillars of WinHers United are business, mindset, personal development, and self-care because all four of these aspects are needed to be successfully well-rounded.
Fancy: What sparked your interest in podcasting?
Nicole: I entered into the world of podcasting from a suggestion my first business coach made. Prior to this I had only heard the term podcasting once, had never listened to a podcast, and truly did not know what podcasting really was. Once I learned that podcasting could help me reach my goal of changing the world one person at a time I decided to give it a try. Ultimately podcasting happened to be the means I chose to spread my message. Before I knew podcasting existed my goal was to write a book. Once I realized I could talk my truth out as opposed to writing my truth out I was sold. The way I saw it, podcasting was an easier way for me to spread my message because I have always been a talker.
Fancy: I know that podcasting is a big thing right now and many people think they want one to host one but not all are willing to move forward. What was that moment like for you when you decided to move forward? What did you do?
Nicole: When I first took my coach's advice and decided I would start a podcast, I actually changed my mind once I realized all of the work that is required behind the scenes to be successful. I figured I would go back to my original idea of writing a book instead. The final push for me happened when I attended a Podcasting 101 Workshop in Tampa. During this workshop, the concept of podcasting was simplified, and the speaker validated my idea. Two weeks after attending the Podcasting 101 Workshop I started interviewing guests, and four weeks after my first interview I launched my podcast. I was able to move this quickly because I already had my concept outlined, I just had to make a few tweaks. Additionally, my coach had already given me a great structure to follow. It was just up to me to implement it.
Fancy: I know that the equipment that is used for podcasting is often what discourages many people. What would you say are the necessities for podcast production?
Nicole: I believe the necessities of starting a podcast are a microphone, laptop, headphones, a pop filter, and recording/editing software. It is actually possible to use a cell phone to record a podcast. If going this route, I would suggest getting a microphone that works for cell phones. I will say, since podcasting is becoming increasingly competitive there is more of a need to have decent sound quality. Podcasting can get really expensive, however, it does not have to be. I started my podcast with less than $200 in upfront costs.
Fancy: What tips would you share for those who may be interested in podcasting?
Nicole: Tips that I would offer to anyone interested in podcasting are: embrace your voice, know your “why?,” avoid perfectionism, be consistent, and pick something that you actually enjoy talking about. All of these elements are essential in starting and maintaining a podcast. You will be surprised by the number of people who want to podcast, but do not move forward because they don’t like the way they sound. I say do it anyway because someone somewhere will love your voice and more importantly needs to hear what you have to say. I stress the importance of knowing your “why?” because this will keep you going once the excitement of starting a podcast wears off. We all need motivation at times, and your “why?” will give you that when nothing else can. Avoiding perfectionism is key, because we are not perfect and our podcast will not be either, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Perfectionism leads to procrastination, but when you start you can always tweak as you go. Consistency is key to anything you want to see real progress in. Setting a schedule and sticking to it is how you maintain a loyal following, and if you need to change your schedule just be honest about it so people know what to expect. Lastly, since podcasting is all about talking you should love what you are talking about, that way you love what you are doing.
Fancy: What do you do outside of hosting your podcast?
Nicole: I am a podcast launch coach. I help aspiring podcasters go from podcast ideation to podcast launch. In addition to this, I am also a podcast manager. I help busy entrepreneurs produce successful podcasts by handling all of the behind-the-scenes activities that podcasting entails. And I host events for WinHers looking to get together with other WinHers for business and personal development. I often ask myself ‘what don’t I do? I still work full-time in corporate America, I am the mother of two amazing humans, I love to travel and eat great food, I enjoy scrapbooking…
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Nicole, Nicole?
Nicole: I love this question. I describe my swagher as stepping boldly into the life I deserve and not allowing myself or anyone else to deter me from my God-given destiny. My swagher is taking the lessons and blessings of life and moving forward gracefully as the broken and rebuilt woman I am today. Nicole is defined by her triumphs as well as her defeats because they both have been instrumental in the journey. I refuse to take no for an answer, and I believe if I try then I will succeed.
Fancy: Do you have any upcoming news or events that you care to share?
Nicole: Yes, I am hosting the 2nd WinHers United Virtual Summit in June. The exact dates are June 6, 2022 - June 9, 2022, from 5 PM - 8 PM ET each day. We have 20 amazing Women of Color Entrepreneurs coming to share their wisdom and insight in relation to business, mindset, personal development, and self-care. To get your ticket go to http://winhersunited.com/events.
Connect with Nicole below.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/winhersunited
Instagram: @nicole_walker_network
About Fancy
Francheska “Fancy” Felder is a quiet Southern, media mogul in the making. In 2010, she launched SwagHer Magazine, an empowerment and lifestyle publication for the progressive Black community.
Fancy’s passion for all things creative combined with her love for writing, Black culture, and business guided her to also offer her public relations, creative, and branding services, making the magazine more of a media boutique having its own subscription clients as well as advertisers, hence why the name changed to SwagHer Magazine & Media.
SwagHer Magazine uses positive media and storytelling to create new narratives and mindsets around Black people, their communities, and the businesses and organizations they lead. Fancy executes campaigns for Black women-led businesses, coaches, authors, and girl bosses so that they receive more visibility and establish themselves as an authority.
The Mississippi native is also one half of Theories & Thoughts Podcast, a discussion-driven show that tackles Black issues and taboo subjects with a kitchen table talk feel, which she hosts with Arnya T.M. Davis. The two also co-produce and host Theories & Thoughts Deep Dive, a millennial talk show.
The former teen mom graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College with her associate’s in marketing management and studied mass communications with a focus in public relations from Southern University A&M College.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/swaghermagazine
