Hi, I’m Nicole
A global citizen at heart, my travels have shaped how I see the world… with curiosity, openness, and deep appreciation for the stories we all carry. As a lifelong learner, I’m often immersed in a book, exploring spiritual teachings, or absorbing ideas through classes and documentaries that stretch my perspective.
My husband lovingly calls me the “cat whisperer,” after years of socialising wild-born kittens and giving abandoned shop cats a second chance. Today, I care for four rescue cats who made the move with me from Hong Kong.
My Journey So Far…
Courage has shown up in my life in different ways. On my 25th birthday, I casually announced to my friends, without fully thinking it through, that I was going to backpack around Europe for two months in the middle of winter. Once I’d said it out loud, there was no backing out. As an introvert, traveling alone was a massive step, yet it taught me that I can do hard things when I commit to them. That trip gave me the confidence to move from Sydney to Melbourne, where I eventually met my husband, Nick.
In 2004, I left my corporate Learning & Development career behind and relocated to Hong Kong for Nick’s career. Thankfully, when I initially moved, I was able to do some freelance work, writing training manuals on how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I also took the opportunity to start a blog about women’s empowerment, deepen my spiritual practice, and organise a women’s retreat in China. Because of my blog, I was invited to lead an online book club for Oprah’s groundbreaking web series with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, focusing on his book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
That experience opened the door to my first entrepreneurial chapter – co-creating guided journals and meditation CDs with an Australian artist: A Journal for the Modern Goddess and A Journal for the Pregnant Goddess. They were beautiful, heartfelt creations, though the business didn’t thrive the way we hoped. Still, that chapter taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of timing, and alignment.
In 2007, I stumbled into supporting business owners with their ad hoc projects. I was eager to help, loved working with inspiring women, and was genuinely excited to contribute to their success. What began as a small freelancing venture grew slowly, and intentionally, into Bauhinia Solutions, an administrative and operational support agency with a team of 12 across Hong Kong and the Philippines.
From Australia to Hong Kong to Vancouver, Washington
After 19 years in Hong Kong, Nick’s aviation career brought us to Vancouver, Washington – another new chapter, a new culture, and a fresh opportunity to blend everything I’ve learned into the work I love today: consulting with business owners to unlock their full potential through smarter systems, clearer processes, and better data, ultimately strengthening their business and elevating their people.
Throughout these years, travel has been one of our great privileges; we’ve wandered through South America, Europe, the US, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Each place gave me a different perspective on life, and reminded me how big and small the world can feel at the same time.
Some Personal Points
- I’m child-free by choice, and happily a cat mum and an animal lover.
- I’m an introvert who enjoys deep conversations, quiet spaces, and meaningful work.
- I’m learning to create mixed-media art and mandalas; making art feels like meditation to me.
- I’m a lifelong learner, an expert-generalist, and I love a good true-crime documentary.
- I’m happiest with a good book, a delicious hot chocolate, or a new idea to explore.
- And above all, I believe empathy and compassion go a long way.
Credentials and Certifications
- Certificate in Business Administration
- Certificate in Small Business Enterprise
- Certificate in Marketing
- Diploma in Front-Line Management
- Bachelor of Adult Education (incomplete by one subject)
- Certified Online Business Manager
- Certified Dashboard Designer
- Certified Digital Business Consultant
- Certified Business Process Specialist
I’m currently knee deep in learning all about AI.
Some of my favourite books are The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo, Wisdom Wallk by Sage Bennet, and The Women Who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. I enjoy being part of networking groups and am active in BNI Vancouver Reign Makers, and a member of Women Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO) and The Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN).
My Values
Compassion: I believe in treating people and animals with care and understanding. Whether it’s helping a person through a stressful moment or socialising a frightened kitten, compassion guides the way I show up in the world.
Integrity: I value honesty, consistency, and doing what I say I’ll do. I choose what feels right over what looks good, and I bring the same level of authenticity to my relationships, my work, and my decisions.
Independence: I’ve built my life by trusting myself – from traveling alone across Europe to creating businesses across continents. Independence, to me, means having the courage to follow your own path and make choices that honour who you are.
Learning & Growth: Curiosity is part of who I am. I’m always exploring something new, or curious about another person’s perspective. Growth keeps life interesting and gives me a deeper well to draw from in both work and life.
Courage: My courage doesn’t shout – it whispers. It shows up in the choices I make, nudges me out of my comfort zone, and reminds me to trust the small voice inside that says, “Try. What’s the worst that could happen?”
A global citizen at heart, I was born and raised in Australia, spent 19 years in Hong Kong, and now call Vancouver, Washington home. I consider myself an “Expert-Generalist” - a term coined by Orit Gadiesh of Bain & Co to describe someone who gathers expertise across disciplines, industries, and cultures, and uses that diverse palette of knowledge to recognise patterns, connect ideas, and think deeply with clarity and intention.
My Businesses
Connect
Vancouver, Washington, USA
hello@nicole-graham.com
I acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional lands of the Chinook, Cowlitz, and Klickitat People, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. I pay my respect to elders both past and present.