IAM936- Founder Helps Business Leaders to Remain Authentic

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[00:00:15.09] – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

[00:00:44.20] – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I Am CEO podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Nikki Green of the Nikki Green dot com. Nikki, it's awesome to have you on the show.

[00:00:53.70] – Nikki Green

Hey. Thanks, Gresh. Glad to be here.

[00:00:56.00] – Gresham Harkless

Definitely super excited to have you on. And before we jump in, jump in, I want to read a little bit more about Nikki so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. Growing up in Hayward, California as one of three white kids in a school of sixteen hundred, Nikki's experience was diverse. With a multi-parent lifestyle, Nicki learned to adapt to ever-changing environments and rules. And in twenty-twenty, she walked away from a lucrative tech job to start Green Chameleon Collective. She started Green Chameleon Collective with a singular mission to shape how the next generation of business leaders can remain unique and true to themselves and turn that uniqueness into an advantage. Nikki, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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[00:01:32.40] – Nikki Green

I am. I'm excited. Can't wait.

[00:01:34.50] – Gresham Harkless

I'm excited too. You're doing so many awesome things. So before we jump into hearing exactly what that was, I want to rewind the clock a little bit and hear a little bit more on how you got started and what you just started. All the awesome work you're doing.

[00:01:44.59] – Nikki Green

Yeah. So Green Chameleon Collective, it's the second business I founded. At two thousand nine, I started a business called Purple Turtle Events. You can see I like colors and animals, to host kids' triathlon. I was really deep into triathlons and endurance sports at the time. But that was sort of a side project, and I was still working in corporate. And I've been living under that corporate rock for the last few years, just working and working for others and not feeling fulfilled and not doing enough in my community.

And so this business really this new business has been a decade in the making. I I think my challenge was throughout my career, I had a lot of mentors who claimed to be there for me but really pressured me to conform. And they wanted me to pretend that my uniqueness didn't exist.

And that inauthentic way of being one person at work and one person outside, it, it just, it left me feeling really empty. And I wanted something better, and I wanted to give back. And after all of the changes last year in twenty-twenty, it really it was just time to act. And so I left my lucrative tech job and started to build this vision I have for Green Chameleon Collective. And I really I wanna inspire the next generation. I wanna guide them through the challenges that I've experienced in my life and career, but also keep helping them through these new challenges as they're arising because there's no shortage of them these days.

[00:03:06.69] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. We were definitely, you know, talking offline about, like, all the changes and the things and how you kinda have to keep rolling with the punches, so to speak. And I think, I well, I love the fact that you know, you told us a little bit about that journey because I think so many times you feel that empty feeling that you kinda talked about and you feel like there's no way out sometimes. But to hear somebody that's been able to kinda, you know, take on the reins, take those changes for yourself, but also for so many others, I think that is a great reminder to us that we can be true to ourselves and at the same time make an impact in the way that we see fit.

[00:03:35.30] – Nikki Green

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[00:03:36.90] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So I wanted to drill down a little bit deeper now. I hear a little bit more about, your business. Could you take us a little bit more into to what you do and how you serve the clients you work with?

[00:03:45.50] – Nikki Green

Yeah. Well, the objective of the collective is exactly that. Right? It's not gonna ever just be one thing. I want it to keep evolving and adapting different irons in the fire. The biggest thing right now is I'm about to release my new book. It's called I Laugh in the Face of Danger and Other Life Lessons That Should Have Taught Me Better. And it's a tell-all memoir. It's insights of race and religion and misogyny and culture. It really covers a lot of things that I've experienced in my life. Like you said in my intro, I started with six parents.

That's kind of different just to begin with, and I moved a lot and really had to adapt and grow every single day to deal with all those differences. And it's also a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to be a woman working in Silicon Valley. There's lots of books out about, you know, how men are experiencing corporate life, but, there's been some recent studies out that said, you know, about fifty percent of women in Silicon Valley have experienced some kind of harassment, mostly sexual in nature.

And we're not talking out because when we do talk out, the survey also says nothing's happening. Right? And so after two decades in these Fortune Five hundred companies, I felt like all these different things coming together, especially at this time, you know, in our nation's history, we need to start sticking to those convictions and beliefs and lead others to be a part of the change forward. Aside from the book, there's gonna be a podcast YouTube channel. It's gonna be called stand up and stand out.

I'll use the chapters of the book and those lessons to, you know, lead people along. And there's gonna be the very first episode about bad bosses and what do we do and how do we deal with those. And then, believe the algorithms So basically take your life back from social media. A lot of the feedback I've been getting from the youth, is they're just so overwhelmed because they're constantly in it looking online at Facebook and Instagram and everything else, and how to really take it back and move forward with your life, and just teaching people one on one through career coaching and motivational speaking.

Just a lot a lot of stuff there. And if all of my business stuff wasn't enough, I am also on the advisory board for, Transcontinental University, which is an innovative, newly accredited, completely online, school that works to create customized development plans for the whole person, including emotional intelligence and things like that. So, you know, that's all for now. So much more probably coming after that.

[00:06:20.00] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. So you're, you're not busy at all. You absolutely sound like a slacker, so yeah. I think it's at work. But, no. You're doing so many, you know, phenomenal things, and I I love that thing the what came out to me was that voice piece, especially when you talked about a lot of the harassment that that women might face, especially in, you know, most a lot of places, but definitely, you know, along the Silicon Valley area. Being able to feel like you have a voice and be able to feel like you can speak out and you can take actions in order to make that happen.

And I think that speaks to, obviously, those situations, but so many others where so many times we shy away from, you know, stepping into who we are, our purpose, or stepping into things that we feel like we should stand up about because we don't know if the thing that we say or the thing that we believe will, you know, just, I guess, go in the winter if it actually will make a change and will make a purpose. So I love that you not only, help many people do that. You've done that yourself, but you're also creating platforms and ways for people to empower themselves as well.

[00:07:15.30] – Nikki Green

Absolutely. I think it's so important. I think too many people from lots of different groups, right, have been disadvantaged for too long, and it's time that we all start working together to fix some of these things that have been happening. So

[00:07:28.10] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And, like, during especially during times like this, I think, you know, everything's kind of a double a double-edged sword where, of course, you have a lot of, you know, frustration, you know, depression, just so many things happening during this time. But at the same time, usually during times like this where there's a lot of disruption and things that are changing, there's usually an opportunity to create things. And I love that you've been able to kind of go to creating a solution and being able to be part of the organization you're building, but also parts of organizations that you're a part of as well too to be able to be the change that you hope to see, and create that in the world.

[00:08:00.69] – Nikki Green

Absolutely. It is a perfect time to pivot. Right? It is the time to really look at what's happening and ride that wave a bit of getting people behind you for this and really starting to make sure that you are bringing your true self to work and to life every day. We're all experiencing challenges, and I want to bring a more positive edge to things. Like, let's not just complain all the time and dwell on what's been happening. It's time that we take that and actually bring some energy to fixing these things, whether it's for yourself or for a broader cause. Right?

[00:08:33.00] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And it's definitely something that's needed during all times, but especially during a time like this. And and so would you consider that to be what I call your secret sauce, the thing you feel kinda sets you apart and makes you unique? Is it your ability to be able to ride the wave and also teach people how to ride the wave? It sounds like to be able to see that change but also evolve with those times.

[00:08:51.50] – Nikki Green

Yeah. You know, I talk a lot about uniqueness, and I really wanna compel future leaders to find strength in that uniqueness and teach people when to listen and to learn and then when to stand out and when to speak up. You know, a lot of people think of uniqueness as what they see of, you know, my blue eyes, my freckled face, my currently Valentine red hair.

You know? They see that as identity. Right? But for me, uniqueness is about the stories, our foundation, and the experiences that have shaped us. And I want them to use those even if they've been challenging. Those things give you strength and you can use them and you can keep building upon them. And I don't want people to be afraid to be themselves. I want them to be so genuine that it helps other people also bring out their unique selves, and there's power in that.

There's power in the telling of our stories. There's power in us just being genuine. And I think with, you know, adding Zoom and seeing into people's homes, that barrier between work and home also has kind of gone away. And so it's a great time for us to just keep bringing that forward.

[00:10:02.29] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. Absolutely. And so many times, there were silos between work and and and, you know, a home life and personal life. But, as you said, with Zoom and so many different ways that we're we're starting to feel, I guess, vulnerable even too, like, we can connect with others because we're all through going through some type of disruption or frustration of some form, shape, or fashion.

But, I love how you spoke to our uniqueness of us and how it's not necessarily just the things that we see. It's those things and experiences that we have because no one can be you and have those same experiences. Even somebody that you might be a twin, a splitting image of exactly who you are has had a different experience, has different interests, and is structured and given gifts in a different way. So I love how you kinda tap into that and remind us of drilling down that drilling down to do that because it reminds others that they're able to do that as well too.

[00:10:49.60] – Nikki Green

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[00:10:51.20] – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit, and I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an app, a book, or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

[00:11:03.00] – Nikki Green

Yeah. I think I have kinda two big things. For me, fitness has been my foundation. From the time I could walk, I was doing gymnastics and ballet. My mom was a collegiate gymnast. My uncles all played sports. As my brother and I got older, all five, three of me played volleyball, and he was a quarterback at football and threw javelin at track. And, then I started coaching. Right? And, luckily, my stepdad was an athletic trainer at Chabot College there in Hayward for thirty years, so he put us back together every time. We had an ailment, which was often with, you know, playing that much sports.

You know, I've cycled over two hundred miles on the Seattle to Portland bike ride. I've completed two half Ironman, seven marathons, you know, countless other things. And in my office are the achievements from those things. I look at them every day, and I remind myself that no matter how tough times might be, you know, right now, I've always done something harder. I can put the work in. I can figure out how to get to that next level even when it seems insurmountable. And it just takes time and patience with yourself. But I think that fitness thing for me is always an important way to sort of recover from the stress of every day too.

[00:12:15.79] – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. That makes so much sense. And so I wanted to ask you now for what I call a CEO nugget. So this could be a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. It might be something you would tell a client, or if you hacked into a time machine, you might tell your younger business self.

[00:12:28.39] – Nikki Green

Dream bigger, man. Dream bigger. You know, when I was younger, I was studying French. I studied French for seven years, and I dreamed of traveling and maybe living in Paris. I'm like, that was sort of my big dream. But, I went to Paris at the age of eighteen, and I went to school for a summer there. And by the time I was thirty, I had been to a dozen countries. I spoke four languages. I've been to Europe, Asia, North and South America, you know, and that was at thirty. So then I'm like, what was it? You know?

And there's still tons more countries, you know, to explore and see and even just explore our own country. There's there's a lot to see across the US. So just dream bigger. Whatever that is for you, whether it's work or personal, you could be really surprised how much you can accomplish if you just set your mind to it. Part of that is also the second part of the advice turn off your phone alerts. You know, it's another part of unplugging, and don't let all the noise around us keep distracting you. You can go and look at it for a little period, but set a, you know, a time limit and fill your life with rewarding experiences. Connect with people again even if we still have to do it six feet apart, But it's it's important. I think, like, get your head out of all of this and start looking around again at the world around you and remember what it is that makes you excited and what inspires you.

[00:13:48.10] – Gresham Harkless

I love those nuggets. And so now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're open to having different quotes, unquote CEOs on the show. So, Nikki, what does being a CEO mean to you?

[00:14:00.10] – Nikki Green

Yeah. I think it's a bit like, people kind of think, oh, well, you call yourself an author. You haven't published anything yet. Right? But, someone told me a good piece of advice is, no. You started writing a book. Plenty of people start writing a book. That's still an author. Right? And the same thing with the CEO. You just keep going for it. And I think as you see, I have a lot of projects going on.

Everybody does when you run your own business. And I never, never wait for someone to work for me. It's about building your network. It's about being a mentee and a mentor. And whether you're on both sides of that equation, you always have stuff to learn, you always have stuff to teach others, and finding good talent around you to help you through your journey.

I've recently connected with a platform called Acadium, and they help you connect an intern or apprentice to do certain activities for you for about a three-month stint. And it's been fantastic because they don't have much experience, so they need to get going. I got a ton of stuff to do, so I'm happy to, you know, share the workload with them. So there are lots of ways now to, you know, find that way to network and complement your best skills with other people around you.

[00:15:06.70] – Gresham Harkless

Nikki, truly appreciate you for all the awesome work you're doing. Of course, appreciate you for the time. What I want to do is just pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you want to let our readers and listeners know, and of course, how best they can get a hold of you. Get a copy of the book, listen to the podcast, and find out about all the awesome things you're working

[00:15:22.29] – Nikki Green

on. Yeah. So much to see. Right? Well, I'm at the Nikki green dot com. I'm also at Green Chameleon Collective dot com. The book is coming out shortly. It'll be available on Amazon and other places where you can download ebooks. And the podcast, stand up and stand out is set to release in March. It'll be on YouTube, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

Maybe, Gresh, you'll honor me and be on my podcast when we get up and running. But, you know, the best advice always is, like, you can be in a thousand places, but let's go to Instagram for now. Instagram at Green Chameleon Collective. I repost my TikTok videos there if you need a good smile in the day, articles I publish on Medium and other places, and pretty much anything of my projects will start there, and you can branch out from there to whatever makes you happy to look at from a Medium perspective. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

[00:16:13.00] – Gresham Harkless

I definitely appreciate that, Nikki. What we'll do is we'll have the links and information in the show notes as well too so that everybody can follow up with you. Definitely, it'd be my honor to be on your show once you get it up and going, so I appreciate that. And, I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day. I love the work that you're doing and the impact that you made today. But definitely take care, and I hope you have a great rest of the day.

[00:16:30.70] – Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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