From Boardroom to Kitchen—Building Legacy Through Authentic Leadership
In our ongoing Women in Wellness Q&A series, we spotlight trailblazing entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to build purposeful, sustainable businesses in the wellness space. This month, we're thrilled to feature Niquenya Fulbright, a transformational leader who has masterfully woven together 26+ years of leadership coaching with her passion for intentional nourishment.
Niquenya Fulbright's journey exemplifies the power of authentic integration—she didn't abandon her calling as a life strategist when she entered the culinary world in 2020. Instead, she created something entirely new: a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes how nourishing our bodies directly impacts our capacity to lead with presence, energy, and emotional intelligence.
As the creator of the SMILE Method™ and T.O.U.C.H. Management™, Niquenya Fulbright has developed people-centered frameworks that help leaders build thriving workplace cultures without sacrificing their authenticity or mental health. Her work extends beyond individual transformation to community building through her Melanated Goddess Circle, where she cultivates spaces for women to align their purpose, vision, and personal power.
From launching a sauce brand during a global pandemic to coaching leaders through burnout and beyond, Niquenya Fulbright's story is one of resilience, pivoting with purpose, and building legacy through integrity. Her insights offer invaluable wisdom for women entrepreneurs navigating the evolving wellness landscape while staying true to their mission and values.
You've uniquely combined your expertise as an Executive Chef with holistic leadership coaching. How do you see the connection between nourishing our bodies through food and nourishing our leadership capabilities? What role does this mind-body-business integration play in creating sustainable wellness for women entrepreneurs and leaders?
Before I ever stepped into a commercial kitchen, I was already deep in the business of transformation, coaching leaders for over 26 years to align their purpose, vision, and personal power. Cooking professionally only came later, around 2020, right before the world turned upside down. What started as being a “ghetto gourmet” for my family became a deeper calling to fuse my passion for food with my purpose as a life strategist. Nourishing the body with intention directly impacts how we show up as leaders—grounded, energized, and emotionally present. For women entrepreneurs, this mind-body-business integration is the cornerstone of sustainable wellness and legacy-building.
You've created The SMILE Method™ and T.O.U.C.H. Management™ frameworks for fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Can you share how these methodologies specifically support women leaders in wellness industries who are navigating the unique challenges of building heart-centered, mission-driven businesses while maintaining their own well-being?
The SMILE Method™ and T.O.U.C.H. Management™ are my love letters to culture-shifting leadership. They provide practical, people-centered strategies to build workplaces that actually feel good to be in. SMILE is about creating connection, starting with something as simple as saying hello and ending with empowering every voice at the table. T.O.U.C.H. takes it further, helping leaders build structure, optimize teams, and cultivate talent—all without sacrificing authenticity or mental health. For women in the wellness space, these tools allow us to lead from the heart and the head, supporting growth without losing the soul of the mission.
With over 26 years of leadership coaching experience and your background as a ServSafe Certified Instructor, you've witnessed the evolution of wellness and food industries. What key lessons have you learned about resilience and adaptability that you believe are essential for women building legacies in the wellness space, especially during times of transition or challenge?
What I’ve learned across the coaching and culinary landscapes is that resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about pivoting with purpose. Whether it’s launching a sauce brand during a pandemic or helping clients navigate burnout, I’ve seen firsthand that adaptability comes from alignment. When women leaders are anchored in their “why,” they can weather change with grace and turn setbacks into strategy. The wellness world is constantly evolving, but legacy isn’t built on trends—it’s built on integrity, consistency, and community.
Links:
- https://coachniquenya.com
- https://melanatedgoddesscircle.com
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/coachniquenya
- IG: @coachniquenya @melanatedgoddesscircle
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