Nicole Caldwell a.k.a. Azevedo: Fashion Designer / Miss Heart-o-Gold USA / Accidental International Nurse

@nicoleliolie The scene: We are sitting on the front porch of Nicole’s adorable apartment, 2 blocks from Seal Beach, CA, on a damn gorgeous So-cal day. She shares this apartment with her brand-new husband and this is the first time she has ever lived outside her parents home. Nicole and I first worked together 6-ish years ago and have seen each other through huge life changes. She is the most integrous and kind person I know - and I don’t use those words lightly. Join us for a conversation between 2 girls cut from the same cloth (fashion pun - obvi). Highlights: + 10 months newlywed + We’ve built some big brands together - GRLFRND and Boyish + Forever saved as “intern” in my phone - a sweet inside joke + Paris Fashion Week, pushing me in a wheelchair + I lost her grandmother’s earrings in Paris (and still feel guilty) + Helping others is above all else + Mentoring and being a kick-ass mentee + Post-it addict rehabilitated with Google docs + Dad and mom both raised her to help others + Feeling like you don’t fit in and proving yourself + If we don’t share our stories with others, what good does it do? + Taking pride in being an example for others + Being a fashion educator + Designing jeans to make your butt look great + Teaching the importance of networking and resourcing + Teaching the tangibility of fashion as a career + Prioritizing your passion project + Setting boundaries for your self and what feeds you + Determination and hard work + The connections that open doors in life + Synchronicity and God’s direction + Christianity and celibacy values + Sticking to your beliefs and convictions + Stubbornness as a blessing and a curse + Saying yes to too many things + Learning boundaries through depression + Being part of the Portuguese community + Life revealing the people who don’t compliment you + Being ok with yourself, on your own + Learning to love ourselves first and accept love from others + Finding others with your same values + Using negativity to grow stronger + The importance of faith and family + Learning to talk through embarrassment and vulnerability + Developing tools to handle future challenges + Learning to find peace in your storms + “It’s just a pair of jeans” + Not letting fashion consume you + Focus on yourself, not on others + Being happy with how you’re living your life - feeling aligned + Living without regrets + Being courageous + Flexibility and going with the flow + We need more togetherness, less politics and bullshit + How hard is it to smile or wave at someone? Not at all + Additional story that we forget to tell A taste: “This whole week I’ve really been convicted by this word Courage. […] Having this idea of being courageous. And it could be in the big things, it could be in the small things, but also being courageous in my mind - how I’m thinking […] not be so fearful, being courageous in my heart, or doing something that shows physical courage.” Favorite sayings: “Just breathe.” “God’s got you.” “Courage.” Support the show Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to support this project. Love, Sagewolf xoxo