“By coaching executives and senior leaders, I aim to create a ripple effect of positive impact within organisations and communities.”
Nicole Gillard of Executive Advantage has over 25 years of senior corporate experience with global giants like Unilever, Arnott’s, and Coca-Cola across ANZ and Asia Pacific. She holds an Accreditation in Executive Coaching from The Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL), equipping her with a unique blend of coaching and mentoring skills.
Nicole’s passion for executive coaching and leadership facilitation stems from her desire to empower individuals, teams, and organisations to thrive. Observing a consistent need for skilled guidance among executives, she focuses on developing practical strategies that drive sustainable high performance.
At Executive Advantage Nicole helps women in medium to large businesses build confidence in their leadership to be the best they can be through executive coaching, mentoring, and leadership development training. Nicole uses a program framework to create a personalised program of one-on-one coaching. The programs are flexible depending on the needs of the organisation and the individual.
As a mother of two, Nicole understands the challenges of balancing your personal and professional life. She firmly believes that at the heart of any coaching relationship is trust and Nicole will work with you to identify and focus on goals and overcome barriers to growth and change.
Since joining the HerBusiness Network in August 2023, Nicole values the supportive community that fosters growth through resources, webinars, and workshops. Nicole says, “Being a Member of the HerBusiness Network enriches my business by providing access to a supportive entrepreneurial community that fosters growth and support“.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I admire many entrepreneurs for various reasons but a leading, Australian female entrepreneur I’ve been very impressed with is Jo Horgan. She is the founder and co-CEO of MECCA Brands, and has revolutionised the beauty retail experience in ANZ. Jo Horgan’s innovative approach to beauty retail, her commitment to empowering women, and her focus on philanthropy and sustainability have made her a respected and influential figure in the Australian business community.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started my business in executive coaching and leadership facilitation as I wanted to help individuals, teams and organisations grow and thrive. It enabled me to focus on work that aligns with my values, passions and purpose in making a tangible, positive difference in others’ lives. After 25 years in senior corporate leadership roles across Asia Pacific, I observed a recurring need for skilled, insightful guidance among executives and aspiring leaders. I’ve seen many professionals benefit from personalised coaching to navigate complex business environments, develop their leadership skills, and achieve their full potential.
By coaching executives and senior leaders, I aim to create a ripple effect of positive impact within organisations and communities. Strong, effective leaders can drive innovation, foster healthy workplace cultures, and contribute to the overall success and well-being of their teams and companies.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I love the work I do and get a great deal of satisfaction from helping others grow and achieve their goals and dreams! Launching my own business has given me the flexibility and autonomy to design a career that perfectly suits my lifestyle and goals. This independence allows me to tailor my coaching approach to meet the unique needs of each client while maintaining a work-life balance that is important for me and my family.
Additionally, running my own business affords me the opportunity to give back to the community through volunteer work. Being able to contribute my time and skills is incredibly rewarding and complements my professional commitment to fostering growth and development in others to make a positive impact both in the business world and within my community.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Believe in Yourself and Take the First Step: The hardest part of starting any business is often just getting started and believing in yourself. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Self-doubt can be a significant barrier, but it’s crucial to trust in your abilities and vision. Remind yourself that every successful entrepreneur once stood at the same starting line. Take that first step with confidence and remain resilient, even when challenges arise.
- Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: I wish I had been told that failure is not something to fear but rather an essential part of the journey. Each setback provides valuable lessons and insights that can help refine your approach and ultimately lead to greater success. Embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone toward your goals and making things even better!
- Build a Cheer squad: It’s important to surround yourself with people that will provide a positive influence and support you. Think about how you can tap into a community within your industry and find mentors, peers, and advisors who can offer guidance, encouragement, and different perspectives.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
The advice I would give to someone starting a business is:
- Do your research and build a solid plan first…..make sure it’s a business you can be proud of.
- Start Small and Iterate: You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning. Gather feedback, listen and learn from your customers, and iterate. This approach helps you refine your offerings and reduces the risk of investing too much in unproven ideas.
- Stay Customer-Focused: Always keep your customers at the centre of your business – it’s not about you, it’s about what benefit you can deliver to them. Understand their needs, listen to their feedback, and continuously strive to provide value.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
I think you need to understand where your strengths lie and where you need to out-source or call on the help of other experts. Ideally having skills in strategic planning, financial management, sales, marketing and leadership and team management is very helpful. You will also need help in the fields of legal and compliance and technology. It’s very hard to do it all on your own so build this into your planning phase.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My dream is Executive Advantage becomes a leading organisation known for transformative impact. We are recognised as a great place to work and we consistently achieve high client satisfaction and measurable results. Committed to social responsibility, we engage in community initiatives, where leadership thrives and individuals achieve their fullest potential.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being a Member of the HerBusiness Network enriches my business by providing access to a supportive entrepreneurial community that fosters growth and support. The network also offers resources, webinars and workshops to help with learning and development.
Learn more about Nicole and Executive Advantage.
