We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicole Anderson. Check out our conversation below.
Nicole, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to setting the tone. I start by getting ready, preparing my breakfast, and then sitting down for journaling and devotion. That quiet, intentional time with my faith centers me before the day begins. It prepares my mindset, gives me clarity, and helps everything that follows flow so much better.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Nicole Anderson is a nationally recognized business leader, media personality, and change-maker, best known as the CEO of MEND HR Solutions, a premier human resource and recruiting firm in Palm Beach County, Florida. Since launching her entrepreneurial journey in 2017, Nicole has been featured by ABC, NBC, CBS, The CW, and Forbes, and is the author of HR is Sexy! Revolutionizing Human Resources.
Nicole is also the host of Underdog to Unstoppable, a nationally viewed show spotlighting entrepreneurs who started from nothing and built extraordinary success. Through this platform, she inspires viewers with raw, real stories of resilience, grit, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.
Her achievements have earned her numerous honors, including being named one of the Top 12 Organizational Change Makers in the U.S., one of Miami’s Top 50 Leaders, and a 2024 Top 10 Woman of Distinction.
In addition to her business and media ventures, Nicole is the Founder of Love Inspiring Life, a nonprofit dedicated to ending sexual exploitation and trafficking. Through public education, legislative advocacy, and survivor support, she is driving meaningful change in the fight against these global injustices.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I felt the constant pressure to meet everyone else’s expectations and that I was constantly needing to prove people wrong, as though my path had already been decided for me. With time and maturity, I realized I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself. My focus now is simple: to grow stronger than I was yesterday, to lead with kindness, and to live with love.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, 4 years of my childhood taken from me. I endured the pain of losing both grandfather and my mom. These wounds have been a constant struggle. From the age of 10, my life goal was just to survive. I begged to just make it through the day. It took a long time for me to have hope in the future, as a few times I did not believe there would be one.
Healing is journey where there is never an end. You learn to have your moment(s) and move on, because there are people to impact and things to do. I can say with absolute certainty my faith played 99% of the role in my healing, in waking up everyday, and in giving me hope. That 1% was fire, a relentless burning in me that I was meant for more.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%. I know it sounds cliché, but what you see is truly what you get. The only difference between me in public and in private is that, with the people I love most, I let my playful side out a little more, we have a lot of fun together. In public, I’m more focused and business-ready, but I’ll still crack a bad joke or throw in a slick comment to keep the mood light and make people laugh. At the end of the day, I value being genuine. It takes far less energy to show up as myself than to put on a fake persona, and I’ve never been interested in being anyone other than who I really am
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My love. Everyone around me knows without question that they are loved. If you’re in my circle, you’ll never have to wonder, I’ll tell you outright, even if it makes you a little uncomfortable. I’ve learned that many people have been hurt by love, or taught to see it as conditional. mine is not.
To me, love is freely given, without expectation, simply because someone is worthy of it. Even strangers need to see and feel it, as a human. It might not be in words but in our actions towards them.
That’s what I want my legacy to be, that people felt loved because of me. My faith is deeply connected to that, because I believe showing love is one of the truest ways to live my faith.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nicoleanderson5
- Linkedin: @nicoleandersonhr
- Facebook: @nicoleanderson5
Image Credits
Matt Sturgis
Shelby Halberg
Elia Carranza
