Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicolet Severe.
Hi Nicolet, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, I have proudly called Florida my home since 2012. Being “HatiaRican,” with a Haitian father and a Puerto Rican mother, has shaped my work ethic, perseverance, and resilience. The paths of my parents intertwined in New Jersey, where my father sought refuge as a political exile from Haiti, and my mother pursued the “American Dream” by relocating there. Both were hardworking individuals and successful business owners.
My father established a tailor shop in Jersey and a fabric factory in New York. At the same time, my mother pioneered the first school supply business in Puerto Rico, aptly named “Nicolet’s School Supply.” Witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of my parents ignited a deep passion for supporting small businesses.
Driven by my parent’s commitment to education, I left Puerto Rico. I embarked on a journey to California, where I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and TV and Radio Production at California State University of Northridge. However, life took an unexpected turn as my mother’s health declined, requiring me to return to Puerto Rico to become her primary caregiver as an only child.
Despite this challenging circumstance, I remained steadfast in pursuing higher education. Thus, I completed my Bachelor’s in Public Relations and Advertising at the University of Puerto Rico. Then, I earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration focusing on Marketing. Being the only child of first-generation hardworking parents, the absence of my beloved mother and father casts a shadow over celebrating my achievements and milestones.
My mother passing away when I was 25 and my father following suit a year later when I was 26 made it challenging to navigate life without the guiding forces who instilled in me the courage to defy limitations and achieve unprecedented accomplishments. While the journey forward may be arduous, their lasting inspiration continues to fuel my determination, urging me to persevere in their honor and pave new paths of triumph.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout my career in Puerto Rico, I forged my path in hospitality and tourism. I gained experience working with luxury hotel brands like St Regis, Wyndham, and Starwood. Furthermore, I worked as an Account Executive, representing the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and Mitsubishi in their marketing departments.
Embracing diverse opportunities, I also became a marketing and property manager for three prominent malls on the island: Plaza Rio Hondo, Plaza Rexville, and Plaza Vega Baja. Despite my challenges, these milestones hold significant meaning to me, with my last name being Severe, which reflects my Haitian heritage.
Securing management positions on the island with such circumstances is an accomplishment I take great pride in. With the hope and anticipation of a fresh start, I made a life-changing decision on Christmas Eve of 2011. Checking in three bags, I boarded a plane bound for MCO, leaving behind what I believed to be a prominent career at the time. I ventured into a new state where I was a stranger, fully aware that I would need to prove myself from scratch.
Over a decade, I have dedicated myself to rebuilding and redefining my professional trajectory. The result is a truly diverse and eclectic career background encompassing a range of roles and responsibilities. I have served in various capacities, from community outreach and public relations to business development, marketing, tourism, and government relations.
Among the organizations I have had the privilege to work for is the United States Department of Commerce assigned to Seminole, Brevard, and Orange Counties, the Institute of Internal Auditors, Visit Orlando, and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (now Prospera). Never could I have imagined that I would be sitting at the table with CEOs of companies such as Disney, Universal, Sea World, Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, and PwC, or have the opportunity to travel to Australia and seat across the ruler of Dubai during a dinner with a fantastic view of the Opera House. Each experience has contributed to shaping my professional journey, illustrating my adaptability, ability to pivot, preserver, and resilience. Traits that, without a doubt, I inherited from my parents.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Over the past two years, I have been humbly privileged to shatter glass ceilings in Sanford and Seminole County. In Sanford, I became the first black individual, regardless of gender, and the first Hispanic to hold the position of President & Executive Director in the organization’s century-long history. Furthermore, I am currently the first black or Latino professional to serve as Vice President of the Seminole County Chamber.
These milestones represent personal achievements and milestones for diversity and inclusion within the community. During my tenure at the Sanford Chamber, I actively fostered relationships and connectivity within the local community and neighboring counties. One notable accomplishment was signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Volusia Hispanic Chamber to bridge cultural gaps and build collaborative ties.
These endeavors have garnered recognition and honors, including being nominated for the 2022 Latina Making a Difference award and the FLBC 2022 #NetPositive award. Furthermore, they have allowed me to contribute to the community through various engagements, such as serving on the Central Florida Zoo Board, The Sharing Center’s YLAB (Young Leaders Associate Board), and on the Teen Challenge Advisory Board.
Additionally, I am proud to be an alumnus of Leadership Seminole, a ten-month leadership program. These experiences have enriched my perspective and strengthened my commitment to positively impacting the community.
Beyond my regular nine-to-five commitments, I have established Severe Strategies, my personal business venture that operates from five to nine during my after-work hours.
Through Severe Strategies, I have the privilege of offering support to small business owners by assisting them in developing comprehensive business and communication strategies. My primary objective is to aid them in crafting a clear and compelling message that effectively resonates with diverse cultural markets. I leverage my expertise to empower these entrepreneurs to navigate and thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My fiancé and I share a deep passion for serving underserved communities. We find immense joy in dedicating our time to volunteer work, with me actively serving meals at soup kitchens while my fiancé selflessly builds beds for those in need on weekends. Motivated to make a meaningful impact in the community, we embarked on a journey to establish a non-profit organization called “Golf Open Doors.”
Although we are still in this project’s initial stages, we have positioned ourselves as an initiative under Ladies 327. Our mission centers on introducing children from diverse backgrounds to golf’s discipline and transformative power. We aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment where all children, regardless of their background, can experience the numerous benefits of golf. We hope to inspire and empower the next generation through our endeavors, fostering a sense of belonging and possibility.
Undoubtedly, I have encountered and overcome personal and professional obstacles, from experiencing personal and financial setbacks to undergoing numerous relocations and fresh starts. As a young girl, I could never have imagined facing the challenges that came my way, nor foreseen becoming a “trailblazer” or “breaking through glass ceilings.” I appreciate the closed doors and the countless “no” responses I had to endure. These experiences have strengthened me and nurtured my resilient spirit.
During difficult times, I remind myself that I am not persevering solely for my own sake but for the young girls who resemble me, who will follow in my footsteps. I understand that cultivating relationships and seeking mentorship is vital for personal growth. I love to learn new things, acquire skills, and grow in all areas of life. In the future, I want to get more involve in advocacy for the business and the underserved communities. Although I am still uncertain of what that path looks like and what it will entail, I aspire for it to be something that would have made my parents proud.
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