Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Nickel.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a naturally optimistic, sunny-side-up thinker, but my real story is about choosing happiness as an intention and a practice and then teaching others how to do the same. Through decades of volunteer leadership, raising a family, and now navigating the empty-nest season, I’ve always been drawn to growth—my own and others’.
Coaching became the natural step to share what I’ve learned. I’ve always loved listening deeply, motivating people, and helping them see their strengths. Starting my own coaching and speaking business was a leap of courage, but it felt aligned with my strengths, passions, and values.
Today, as an ACC-certified life coach and happiness strategist, I use research, practical tools, and intentional habits to help people create meaningful, energized, purpose-driven lives. Whether I’m coaching an individual, leading a workshop, or speaking to a room of hundreds, my mission is the same: happiness matters—and we each have the power to build it if we know how. That’s where I help.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many women, I’ve navigated the tension between giving to others and remembering to care for myself. I spent years in volunteer leadership pouring my energy into communities and causes I cared about—children’s literacy, education, women’s leadership—while raising a family and holding onto my own dreams. So, starting my own business felt like a big me-focused step.
Learning everything from spreadsheets, social media, client management systems, content creation, and brand-new technology was a challenge. Entrepreneurship is exciting and terrifying. I had to trust my strengths, embrace uncertainty, ask for help (lots of help!), and believe that I was capable of figuring things out along the way.
Every struggle has shaped my work and the importance of mindset. Obstacles reminded me that happiness isn’t the absence of difficulty—it’s the skill of navigating life with intention, curiosity, and compassion.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an ACC-certified life coach, speaker, and happiness strategist.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There are lots of researchers and academics doing important work in the area of positive psychology and happiness that I follow: Arthur C. Brooks, Martin Seligman, Sonja Lyubomirsky, and Lauri Santos. Kansas City native, author, and podcast host, Gretchen Rubin is a favorite. To reinforce and refine my coaching skills, I’m impressed with the work of Lyssa DeHart and Michael Bungay Stanier.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisanickelcoaching.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisanickelcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092302546124
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-nickel/
