Your beliefs, behaviors, and fears are the result of your culture, your upbringing, and your lived experiences as a person of color in white-dominant society. The context of how and why you are is integrated in every aspect of our coaching.
You don’t have to become someone else entirely in order to create the life you want. You are already the person who has the ability to create what you want.
We believe in your power to make your own choices and take control of your lives. Agency is the greatest gift we have been given by our ancestors.
Your worthiness is innate. It is not dependent on how much you achieve or whether or not you are liked by others.
We believe in dreaming outside of the box. As 1st and 2nd gens, you were meant to challenge the status quo and are equipped to go beyond what you’ve been taught is “realistic”.
I was the First in my family to graduate from a U.S. university and I entered the corporate world, where I spent over 10 years, climbing the ladder in a multi-billion dollar company. There, I experienced the unique struggles and barriers to leadership and belonging that 1st & 2nd gen immigrants often face in professional environments.
Eventually, I realized that even though I had a long list of achievements to my name, inside - I was unfulfilled and unhappy. I decided to make a drastic change: I quit my 6-figure job, downsized from a 3-bedroom house to a carry-on suitcase, and traveled the world full-time for nearly a year. In letting go of what was expected of me, I was able to find out who I truly was and what I really wanted.
These collective experiences fueled my passion for helping others like me—those who straddle the line between honoring their heritage and carving out their own path.
My mission is to help you harness the strengths of our shared heritage to achieve your goals and lead a fulfilling life.
Whether you're seeking to balance cultural expectations with personal aspirations, or striving to achieve professional success while staying true to your roots, I'm here to guide and support you.
Growing up, I saw firsthand the resilience, hard work, and sacrifices it takes to build a new life in a new country. My mom worked 10+ hour days and my dad worked at an ice cream shop, putting his architect dreams on hold. It was instilled in me to make sure their sacrifices were "worth it" by achieving as much as I possibly could.
Our tailored and culturally-informed leadership coaching goes beyond the cookie-cutter development practices by integrating the cultural perspectives and unique backgrounds and experiences of each leader. Available for Organizations, Teams and Individuals.
Embrace the badass trailblazer you are and create the thriving, dreamy life that your ancestors laid the foundation for in community with other 1st/2nd gens.
In this 12-month program, receive culturally-informed coaching & tools to move beyond generational limits, embrace your identity, and create a life of freedom and fulfillment.
My workshops and speaking engagements focus on empowering diverse communities by addressing unique challenges, fostering resilience, and celebrating cultural strengths.
Whether in a corporate setting or community event, my goal is to inspire and equip participants with actionable tools they need to be impactful leaders.
Empowering tools and insights created by Nicole Cruz, for 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.