Nichole Smith
Director, Personal Lines Division - INVST Protect
Get to know Nichole
What motivates you everyday?
My motivation comes from being better than I was yesterday, always looking forward to the future and what is yet to come. I enjoy working hard, helping others, and continually growing both personally and professionally.
If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?
SINGING! I think it would be so nice to be able to sing well and have perfect pitch, as everyone runs for the hills once I start belting out my favorite songs. It’s one of those skills that can bring joy to both you and the people around you.
What is a career "low point" that actually set you up for success?
One of my biggest career challenges was starting a business at a very young age, when there was no internet or AI, and I had to learn through real-life examples. Stepping into a role with so much responsibility, it felt intimidating at first as I had to quickly adapt. Looking back, these experiences pushed me to set aside my fear and trust in my abilities and skills. I have continually been able to solve challenges along the way in my career and, as a result, have ultimately accelerated my professional growth and have set myself up for success.
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: stop trying to please everyone and stop worrying so much about what other people think of you. The people who truly matter will appreciate you for who you are, not who you think you need to be. Embrace what makes you different, and never be afraid to let your personality shine. Be YOUnique—because your greatest strength is being unapologetically yourself.
What's a fun fact about yourself?
One of my favorite experiences was representing Hendricks County as Mrs. Hendricks County 2020 & 2022 in the Mrs. Indiana Pageant, part of the Mrs. America pageant system. It was an incredible opportunity to build confidence, connect and serve my community, and step outside my comfort zone.