Name: Nicole Rodrigues
Child & Age: 1 Daughter, age 14
Hometown/Current Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Quick Bio: I’m the CEO and founder of NRPR Group, the premier public relations and strategic positioning agency in Beverly Hills, California. More importantly, I’m the mother of a beautiful teenage daughter. I’ve been working in PR for more than 15 years, starting my first job straight out of San Jose State University. I always knew I wanted to start my own firm, so I spent those years mastering every level of PR so I would be ready when the time came. It wasn’t easy being a young mom–fighting to be recognized and stand out in the industry–but having my daughter motivated me to work harder than I ever thought possible to give her the future I knew she deserved.

A little more than a year and a half ago I launched NRPR Group and I couldn’t be more proud of how far it has come in such a short time!

More about me, connect on Twitter @NicoleRPR Instagram @NicoleRPR or via LinkedIn

Find NRPR Group: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Blog

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: When my daughter was little I used to literally get in the car and put on classic rock music. Billy Joel, Journey, Barry Manilow. Sounds crazy, but it worked to keep her calm and she still loves classic rock to this day.

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: I never stopped being myself. When you’re a mom, you don’t change your personality. You may change habits, you may get rid of bad habits (we hope), you may be more responsible, but at the core of who you are, I don’t believe you have to change. I never did. I still work hard. I do the things I like to do. I involve my daughter in as much of my life as possible and I show her that living my dream has been possible through hard work. Being a parent never stopped that from happening.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Give your kids proper discipline and structure from day one. If you let them run all over you as small children, there’s no way you will be able to discipline them when they need it as teenagers. I’ve never had to lay a hand on my child and she is respectful to me. Why? She knows exactly who’s boss by the way I speak to her and carry myself. I didn’t let her throw massive fits as a kid and I gave her as much structure as I could. Kids need it or they will not be responsible adults or responsible teenagers.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: The second the doctor said I was in the clear to work out, I hit the gym 8 weeks after having my daughter. My body never changed because I didn’t let ‘having a baby’ be an excuse for not being in good shape. I worked out enough to even be a professional cheerleader in the NFL after having a child. Years later, I’m still the same size. Fitness and eating healthy is just part of my lifestyle. Always has been.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: Firm, fun and flexible. I am strict but my daughter and I have loads of fun together. I listen to her and hear her out when I need to and am open to being flexible in times even I see I’m being too firm. I’m also VERY reliable. I show up for my daughter in more ways than one. I help with schoolwork and I’m there when she needs a shoulder to cry on. She is a priority – even when I’m busy.

Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: Hawaii. My dad’s side of the family is there and each time I’ve gone with my daughter we hit the beach and have a blast.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: So many! It may be when my daughter worked really hard to get the lead in her school play, and I opened the program for the play on opening night to read her note that said something along the lines of “Thank you mom for showing me I can achieve my dreams.” I knew at that moment, I was raising her right and showing her the path to the greatness I know she’ll continue to achieve in the future. It’s nice when your kids acknowledge that the hard work you’ve been putting in over the years is paying off.

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I totally lead by example and I do that right. I work hard. I set goals. I achieve them. She now does the same and is an awesome teenager because of it.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: I learned it is possible to create amazing human beings by simply living right, making right choices, having self-discipline and showing your kids you can do the same. Too many parents take child raising for granted and think the kids should ‘figure homework and life’s problems’ out on their own. No. You have to be there for them. Help them in any way you can or help them seek help when they need it. If more parents took action that way, there would be less crime and less kids wondering whether or not they’re loved.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: I love a good blowout on my hair and a sleek black outfit with gold jewelry! Can’t forget the black heels. Black is my signature color. A hint of red never hurts either. Of course, makeup is on point when I’m dressed up. Dressed down, I’m a Lululemon/Nike wearing, comfy outfit mom.

Q: What’s the best surprise you’ve ever done for your kids/family?
A: Surprised my daughter with a trip to New York to see the Thanksgiving Day parade. I took a week off just to spend it on the east coast with her. We saw Mama Mia, walked around Time Square, ate at fancy restaurants and had a blast.