Ready to drop the filter and get real about what it means to show up authentically in business? That’s the big question we are tackling in the latest episode of Diana Prince Lives Next Door. Hi, I’m Angela Acosta—founder of Angela Atelier and your go-to host for the podcast powered by The GAL Project. Our mission? To raise women’s voices. To unapologetically highlight the badassery, grit, and heart women pour into changing the world.
And let me tell you, this week’s conversation brought the fire.
Meet Nicole Leon: The Chaos-Calming VA with a Mission
This episode, I sat down with Nicole Leon—the heart and brain behind Nicole Leon Virtual Assistants. Think about the calmest person in the storm. That’s Nicole. She’s the resourceful, get-it-done virtual assistant who’s spent seven years helping entrepreneurs untangle chaos and unlock freedom in their business and personal lives. But beneath her streamlined systems and organized inboxes, Nicole is a woman on a mission. She’s determined to show up as her full, spicy, completely unfiltered self. And yeah, she wants you to stop shrinking yourself too.
So, how do women show up authentically in business when everything from childhood to corporate life tells us to dim our light? Nicole and I dove deep. Like, let’s-get-a-little-uncomfortable deep.
Why “Authenticity” Isn’t Just a Buzzword
Right from the jump, Nicole called out the misconception that being authentic means being an open book, sharing every secret and emotion. Nope, it’s simpler—and actually a lot more powerful—than that. Authenticity, Nicole tells us, is about showing up as yourself. Not editing. Not playing small. Not worrying about whether you’re “too much” for a boardroom or a Zoom call.
And yet. We both agreed, that’s hard. Years in corporate left me (confession time) with an armor of perfection. I’ll be honest: it’s tough to loosen the death grip on my learned rules about khakis, polished posts, and saying “the right thing.” Nicole? She created her business precisely to bust out of those cages.
Here’s the magic: Nicole now attracts clients who love that she’s herself. The ones who’d stifle her? They don’t even hop on the call. Her vibe is her filter—and business is better for it.
Building the “I Don’t Give a Sh*t” Muscle
Let’s get really honest. We all say we don’t care what people think online. But then your finger hovers over “post,” and suddenly it feels like high school all over again. Nicole knows the feeling. She’s been there. But, like any muscle, she said, you’ve got to work at it. Little by little, share a thought, post a quirky comment, let your colors show—and soon, the sting fades. Vulnerability gets easier. Perfection? Gets replaced with actual connection.
The best part? When you model this freedom, women show up in your inbox ready to be seen too. Nicole told me stories of quiet DMs—women stuck, scared, wrestling big feelings—who finally found someone they could relate to. “You shed your skin,” Nicole said. “Yeah, it’s not easy. It’s messy and painful sometimes. But it’s the only way to get free.”
So, What Really Changes When You Stop People-Pleasing?
Here’s where things get juicy. When you finally ditch the people-pleasing act, you reclaim your energy—hello, freedom! You also make room for grief and anger because, let’s be real, old programming doesn’t disappear quietly. But Nicole swears (and so do I—working on it, promise!) that what’s waiting on the other side is worth it. New, aligned clients. A wider circle of badass women. The feeling that you’re no longer pretending at living—this is you, unfiltered, making your mark.
Nicole left us with killer advice: Start small. Write down what you’re feeling before you’re ready to post or say it out loud. Actualize it in private first, then flex those authenticity muscles publicly, bit by bit. Baby steps turn into quantum leaps.
Ready to Say “Yes” to Yourself?
Before I sign off, I have to share the book that changed everything for Nicole: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. In her toughest moments, it was this book that gave her permission to escape, to dream, and to remember that time, fate, and love are always worth exploring. For anyone chasing self-love, Nicole also recommends Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and Your Best Yes by Lisa TerKeurst—perfect companions for your own un-shrinking journey.
Ready to step into your authentic self?
Hit play on the full episode of Diana Prince Lives Next Door. You’ll find us here: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Spotify. And if you love what you hear? Drop us a review, share with your fiercest female friends, and let’s keep hyping the game-changing voices (like Debbie’s!) that make all of us stronger.
