Welcome to the The VICI Code, where we unlock real stories of small business owners who've battled chaos, crushed doubt, and conquered their challenges. Faith, family, and finances. No fluff, just raw, honest conversations that decode the path to victory, one story at a time. All right, hello, hello, and thank you for joining us as we explore another inspiring journey of purpose-driven leadership on the Vici Code. Today's guest is the founder of Nicole Fisher Designs, a full-service design firm known for crafting soulful, one-of-a-kind spaces that artfully blend the worlds of interiors, fashion, and culture. She focuses on creating luxury livable spaces that blend rich textures, curated vintage pieces, custom elements, and statement layouts to create homes that are layered, personal, and unforgettable. Beyond creating beautiful spaces, she somehow finds time to be a mom and wife. A fellow New York native, I'm talking about the one and only Nicole Fisher. I met Nicole in the trenches of the Dan Martell elite coaching group. And as I've mentioned before, this is a high caliber group of business owners dedicated to seeking out discomfort in the name of growth and purpose. There's a deeper purpose behind Nicole's work, though. She helps clients tell their stories through design, and her business journey is a story of overcoming challenges. Her vision is to enable clients to dream big without the stress of execution, transforming the meaning of luxury, full service, interior design. Nicole, Hot damn, that is quite the intro you A little long-winded, but you left me no choice. I mean, there's a lot to say and I wanted to get it all in and I want to be set the stage for those of our listeners who need a little bit more background, but I'd like to jump right in. I want to really get the timeline and I got some really good questions. So from corporate to creative entrepreneurship, Before launching your own firm, you were a lead designer at One Kings Lane, a very successful luxury brand. What was the why that motivated you to leave the established role and I think as entrepreneurs, we have this innate feeling, this constant moment in our head that we know we want to get out from underneath a rock and we want to broadcast what we have to say to the world. And I think being an entrepreneur is something that you just have inside of you and something that doesn't really go away. So for me working for a corporation is that, that pivotal moment where I was able to dip my toe into the creative opportunity and interior design, but also, learn and really garner all that I needed to go out on my own. And I think for not only entrepreneurs, but a lot of interior designers, being that personal brand is the goal, is the ultimate goal and gives you that level of reflection and satisfaction when you're able to actually do it. So that was something that was never not going to happen for me, but it was, when was the time going to be right? And that pivotal moment was working with a client with One Kings Lane, and they asked me to do their house on the side. And I said, abso-fucking-lutely and took the $10,000 check and started my own thing, and I haven't looked back. Well, there's your seed funding, right? Right there. Yes, there it is. That was definitely somebody above saying, now's your time. And you took it. And I commend you on that because not everyone does. They look at all the challenges, the reasons not to do it. And you said, Forget that, we're going. The design world can be competitive and challenging. I can see how some people may think twice about going out on their own. Can you share a specific moment or a difficult project early on in your business that tested your resolve? How did you overcome that Yeah, I think with any new business, it's setting very clear standards and very clear scope. For design, we have what I call a scope of project. So that really outlines what we're doing from A to Z, what the client can expect and what we're going to deliver in the end. In the beginning, this idea of not having really, really buttoned up contracts, really, really buttoned up scopes allowed what we call scope creep. And it's just clients slowly adding and adding and adding and adding. So when we're charging a flat fee for a design project. And then all of a sudden we've added a floor, we've added like exterior, we've added all this additional work. The difficult part starting was being comfortable enough to say, Hey, you're not paying for, you're not paying for this. So either pay me or I'm not doing it. And B, just not allowing it to happen in the first place. So, fine-tuning the language that we're using, fine-tuning how we're describing scope, fine-tuning how I'm charging. Over the years, we have shifted from flat fees to hourly rates just because this scope creep, no matter how clear we are, no matter how lovely the clients are, it's inevitable and it happens. because they just love you so much and they keep wanting to work with you and they never want to let go. It's like they've got these claws that they just won't release on you. So, Setting these kind of clear boundaries have allowed us to grow, but also be really, really mindful of our time. And I would say one of the biggest hurdles and challenges for us to get over was being able to not only clearly dictate that in a contract, but Yeah. I mean, that's, that's definitely a service industry thing. Like we, we are also, you know, victims to that scope creep and, you know, we call it special billing really at the end of the day, it's like, well, happy to do all this. And I think, you know, it's kind of, it works somewhat to your disadvantage when you do a good job and, you know, clients want to add more stuff. It's, It's a double-edged sword, right? Um, and you want to help them out and they see it, but it just wasn't a part of that initial engagement ladder. So, um, I can relate to that for sure. And you just eventually need to learn how to say no. Sometimes you either had to learn how to say no, or sometimes you got to fire clients. You know, sometimes they fire their accounts. Sometimes we fire our clients and that's just how it is. Um, Now, getting back to the design side, your design aesthetic is described as artfully blending the worlds of interiors, fashion, and culture. How did you develop this signature style and how does it help you differentiate yourself and So my background is in editorial styling on the fashion side. I started working in fashion several years before moving into interiors and being able to fine tune my eye, understand textiles, understand fabrics, understand how things lay on a body, how they photograph, how they withstand usage. All of these things really helped me transition into this role, but it also just gives me an edge in terms of how I was trained. I was not formally trained as an interior designer. My background in fashion allows me to look at things differently. I'm not looking at it from this really technical lens. I'm looking at it from this really creative lens. And I think Those are the things that set me apart. It's not just being able to come up with a beautiful design, see a beautiful room. It's how you got there in the end. How did that come to life? And part of that creativity goes back to my experience and in fashion and creating this lifestyle and teaching clients, teaching people, even listeners today, how to take cues from what you're wearing and incorporate it into your home. Because clearly those are things that you love and you keep gravitating towards. So how can we use these things and position them into our home the way that we position them on our bodies. So I think this unique trajectory and how I got here is what makes me unique and why we're consistently getting cool, edgy clients who want that non-traditional, funky So it's your journey, right? It's your journey that makes you different. And that's what I, I love that because people need to lean more into that journey. What makes us different, the challenges, the struggles, who we are, like that's, that's your brand. That's the Nicole Fisher brand. And you bring that, that. art that you've experienced to life and you're more outside the box, right? You're not that, like you said, you're not that cookie cutter out of school. You come from a totally different area from the fashion world and you're taking that knowledge and building it into interiors. I love that. You're leaning into who you are authentically. And I just, I implore, you know, our listeners and more people to lean into that authenticity. Um, okay. So if I'm going to say a bunch of names and if these are big names, okay. Yeah, no, these are big names. And if I'm wrong, you know, let me know. But lady Gaga. Lucy Liu, Bobby Brown, Nicola Formichetti, Brandon Maxwell. These are just a few celebrity names you've worked with. You've also worked on celebrated retail spaces. What's one of the biggest misconceptions about luxury interior design? Is it all about opulence or is there a deeper, more personal purpose So that question is twofold. Your first answer would be the biggest misconception is that it has to cost a lot to look like it costs a lot. I think that's the biggest misconception. I think there is no budget when it comes to taste. I think if you have an eye, you have an eye, whether you have a smaller budget or you have endless funds. I think what makes what we do really difficult and really unique is that we, especially starting out, did not work with clients who had endless budgets. And still don't work with clients that have endless budgets. They want to know where their dollars are going. And being able to deliver a end product that looks like we spent X millions over than we actually did, I think is what is really unique about what we do. There's absolutely this level of customization, this level of vintage, this level of uniqueness that we're bringing into every project. But picking and choosing where you're putting that dollar and picking and choosing how you're allocating the budget is a skill. And the client wants to make sure that we are able to deliver and that they're getting that special thing no matter where that And then what was your second question? So is there a deeper, more personal purpose behind the work? Is Yeah, the deeper purposes that we want. It's your home. I'm not creating something for everyone, and I'm not creating something for me. I'm creating something for you. So the personality and the very personal touch that we bring to every single one of these projects is key. It's not, again, just not about just spending money, although I am very, very good at spending other people's money. It is more about how this home and how this end product is going to reflect who lives here. I want to know that you have kids running around. I want to know that you have dogs who dig gardens in the back. I want to know that you love entertaining your drunk neighbor who spills red wine all over your sofa once a week. I want to know all of these things so that I don't want to change your life and how you live it. I just want to make sure that what we're giving you is going to enhance your life. And it's going to be better when we're done with it because now you get to bring all of this personal experience I really like how you said that. I just, I can see all these things of how you're bringing, you know, your, your, your intellect with, you know, style and fashion. And you're looking at average people like me, I don't have fashion sense. I wear boring stuff. I, I, I like my boring life, but I'm also me. I'm an individual. I I'm different than a lot of people. So you go in and I'm sure you have this checklist of like, you know, what's your life like? Okay, now I'm going to take, you know, what I've heard and design for you. And I think that's what, I think that customization is lacking, you know, with a lot of these other design firms. So, you know, really having a really good understanding of who your client is and, you know, how they operate and what the purpose is with their design is super helpful. And, you know, I can't help but put myself in the position when I ask these questions, almost my questions asking for myself, right? You know, your brand is about creating forever homes, right? And that are layered, personal and unforgettable. Can you share a story about a client for whom you helped transform a space that truly changed how they felt in their home or Yes, actually, we had a client last year, maybe we're probably going on two years at this point, that has lived in the same home for the last most 30 years. They brought their kids up in that home. They were married and then since divorced and started a new relationship in this second phase of their life. And we had to use the home, use the existing space, not strip away every memory that had been made there over the last 30 years, but make it function for this next phase in their lives. Make it represent who the new people are living in this house. Make it represent this new world of work from home, make it represent this new world of entertaining, not toddlers, we're entertaining adults. And the real challenge here was using this existing square footage, because it was not a large space. not stripping away the character from this 250-year-old house and making it so that it reflected these clients in the now, because a big challenge with renovations is that we come in there, we want to change everything. And they're so, they don't want to let go. They don't want to let go of like, you know, but I've had this forever or all this, my kid made this 20 years ago. You know, I, Being able to close the chapter, close the door on a moment in life and then move on to something bigger and better sometimes is one of the hardest things that you're going to do, whether it's career, whether it's family, whether it's anything. A, having the bravery to do it, but B, having the know-it-all to bring in a team like mine who is going to really transform it and Change, honestly, how you live your day-to-day is super rewarding for me, but also one of the biggest challenges that we see. And what's so awesome is that these clients really, really trusted everything, and they just let us do our thing, and it's probably one of the most incredible projects that we have done to date, and will actually be featured in Architectural Digest next month. So for us, it's just the gratification that, yes, we came in there, we did our thing, we were right, and we're so grateful for clients that trusted us in this next phase. That feels so good. It reminds me, yeah, I think it's hard to let go of those things. But you take that family situation and you build what it is that they need. With our clients, it's great. We always feel like we find that all-star client where they're just like, listen, I know what I know and I know what I don't. Um, please just kind of take this and run with it. And that's just a good feeling. Cause then you get like, all right, well, anything goes, you know, we're going to stay within the parameters of like, we know our client and we're not going to, you know, you know, go too far, but you know, it's always good when a client trusts you on that level. And. usually turns out really good. Like you experienced, it turns out really good. And that's a testimonial that comes back and says, look what we did and it worked for them. So speaking of our clients, my listeners, your listeners, if they want to bring a little more purpose and personality into their homes, but don't know where to start, what's one simple, actionable piece of I will go back to what I said before in terms of fashion. I would look in your closet. I would look at things that are continuously repeating. Do you love, do you love linen pants? Do you love wool jackets? Like what are these kind of textiles that you keep going back toward? I would make that I would challenge you to make that your main big piece. So if I took this jacket, for example, I'm wearing a wool houndstooth coat. I know that this is not only pattern I like, I like this fabric. I would make this the jumping off point for a sofa, for example, in my living room. And start building off of your wardrobe because it is things that you inadvertently, without even thinking about it, that you gravitate toward. And I know furniture is usually a much larger priced item, but it is indicative of who you are as a person. So get away from the gray and the beige and the boring and, you know, push yourself to make these a little bit more risky decisions. And I promise I think my wife would think that our house would look like a golf country club if we went based off my wardrobe, which I don't think is bad. There's some nice wood oak, real mahogany style golf clubs out there. So I don't know. I'll have to take a look at that. All right, let's talk about the future, right? I want to talk about your brand and building your brand. We talk about process. You and I have talked about process before. Your work has been featured in top magazines, like you just said, like Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. What was the biggest challenge in scaling your business from one woman show to a recognized brand with a national presence? Delegation, delegation, delegation, delegation. Dan talks a lot about this in our coaching, but there's this stigma around being able to grow a creative brand and that you can't delegate things like creativity because they're paying for you. They're paying for who, you know, your taste, they're paying for your, your vision. And Getting over that mindset, for me, was one of the biggest hurdles of growing a business and allowing other people who also have great ideas, who also are super talented, come into this world and say, how can you take this vision and then and then grow on it. So we implement the 108010, which is that I come in, I give them that first 10%. They do that middle 80. And then I come in at the end and do that last zhuzhing of the 10% before our client presentations, because you can't do everything yourself. I did it for a really long time. And I got to a point where I hated my job. I hated my career. I hated myself. I hated everything about what I was doing and who I was. And I credit so much to Buy Back Your Time because my first real big employee that I thought was my second hand left. And I thought my... I finally let go. I hired somebody and She quit and I thought my world was collapsing. Like it was, that was it. I have to close up shop. What am I going to do without her? She did so much. And it wasn't until I read that book that I realized, okay, there are the, I'm going to come back and I'm going to come back thinking about it differently. I'm going to implement these different concepts and these different ideas to bring the right people in so that they're handling things that I don't want to. And one of them is the assistant. I spent 90% of my day doing admin work. And being able to delegate is something that just really changed my day-to-day and changed my world that's another service industry thing too, right? Like a lot of my clients come to me and they're like, I want, I want Joe Dunaway to handle the things. And I think, you know, one thing we learn in, uh, buy back your time is, you know, systems and processes, right? The, we, we launched Vichy financial, uh, just about a year ago and where most firms are spending the summer just kind of you know, dillydally, finding new work. You know, we went hyper-focused on SOPs and processes, because we're trying to build the infrastructure to scale. I like your 10, 80, 10, because I've been always, you know, as I've been trying to shift work off of my plate so that I can spend more time with my clients, I've been more like the, just do it 80% as good as I can do. I like that 10, 80, 10, because it's like, and I think I have been doing the 10 upfront, and maybe the 10 on the back end, but that's a different way of looking at it. I really like that. And it's something that's like, okay, set them up, do the work, and then you kind of review it. So, you know, I like the way you frame that. That definitely sounds at work, but you can't do it all. And you're not going to like your life. You know, entrepreneurship, if people are doing it because they want more time, it's just that how it really works, really, unless you do it this way. I mean you wanna enjoy the more work you're doing so you know being able to effectively push the right work off your plate and then being able to look at it again is super important and i'm glad you brought that up. Now you know looking ahead speaking of growing and scaling you know looking ahead. You know, what's a big goal where, where, as Dan says it a year from now, we're cheersing to something, you know, what is it, what's the big goal you have for Nicole Fisher interiors? And, you know, what, what's the legacy, uh, you hope to build I would love to start positioning myself to products, product collaboration, getting these, you know, the personal clients. Like I said, we work for the client, right? So that home is done for them. What's not done for me, it's a big miss in terms of my creativity because the only time I get to design for myself is in my homes. So the product and the collaboration is a way for me to bring the brand to a broader audience to a larger scale. And that is really something I think will be important and is important to me in continuing to build this legacy because they're not only tangible products, they're tangible products that can go into a multitude of different home's tangible product that is something that can get passed down to my son. It's tangible product that is, you know, something that can be around forever. And this idea of, you know, a home, we have clients who we finish their home and then they sell it. And I'm like, no. Or, you know, I actually also flip property. So, You know, I'm very quick to release a completed project, but I'm more interested in holding on to something that has real deep meaning and is just a beautiful piece that continue to be translatable into a multitude of homes. Yeah. And I, I see a little, uh, a little bit of that getting into the product space on your website, which we'll get into. Um, and I've noticed that, you know, I don't know if I could show my wife, your website. It's just so nice. First of all, I love it. And there's a lot of inspiration there already when you're going over and then you've, you've got a section where you can actually buy. you know, some objects. So I think that's pretty cool. And I'm very, very excited for, you know, what what the future holds for Nicole Fisher interiors. You know, your purpose driven approach to design creates more than just beautiful spaces. It creates a sense of home and identity. And, uh, I hope that, you know, we can have you come up to our house someday and, and help us, you know, we are that, that, like we said, we've got the, the, the homestead going, it's sort of a modern farm approach, a farm home approach, but I think it could use a little bit more, um, of our sense of identity in there. Um, uh, Also, I just want to make sure that, you know, to our listeners, you know, on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, you can find Nicole at Nicole R. Fisher. That's at Nicole R. Fisher and Nicole. You didn't tell me this, but you're also the host of the Interior Perspective. You can find that on really any of the major streaming platforms. And if you want to make it easy for yourself, you can just go to Nicole's website. It's NicoleFisher.com. You can find links to all of her socials, to the podcast that she does, the Interior Perspective. All that's on nicolefisher.com. And on that note, I just want to remind our listeners, you know, so subscribe to the Vici Code, leave a review. If you know anybody who would be a good fit for the show, who's got good stories to tell us of inspiration and overcoming adversity, please, we want to hear your stories. And thank you for listening to the Vici Code. Join us next time as we continue to explore the journeys of purpose-driven leaders. Nicole Fisher, thank you so much. Thanks for tuning in to The Vici Code, where the underdogs rise and the numbers finally make sense. If today's story hit home, share it. And remember, faith fuels