Nicole Payne

Nicole Payne lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two sons. Born in Dallas, TX, she considers herself a Southerner at heart and appreciates having grown up on a solid Christian foundation from a loving and nurturing family. Her mother encouraged her to know Jesus for herself, and it was this conviction that propelled Nicole in her journey to realizing her purpose. This is now the driving force behind everything she does.

After a 15-year career teaching high school English, Nicole plunged into the next phase of her life, which has entailed building the business, Juhst Bee, she and her husband started a few years prior to her teaching resignation. The business encompasses personal training, educational tutoring, public speaking/mentoring, and positive-message paraphernalia around a central theme. Their mission encourages individuals to be anchored, as opposed to floating through life, and to answer the questions: “Why am I here, and what am I supposed to be doing?” This core objective emphasizes the importance of being who God made you to be.

For Nicole, finding one’s purpose starts with having a candid conversation with God, one that involves obedience and patience. Her strong prayer life gives her the space to talk to God and listen for His message however it may appear. Nicole welcomes the level of awareness this perspective brings in situations. She affirms that perspective is a game-changer, and the one you choose will be the reason for the direction you take.

Writing, a therapeutic outlet Nicole realized early in age, has always provided her the space where she can express herself the way she wants to be heard and put her best foot forward. Her first book, an anthology, is a collection of blog entries around inspirational experiences in her life. The recurring theme reminds readers to discover and follow their purpose, ignoring the pressures to do or be anything else.

The importance of having a firm grip on why you’re here is the guiding principle behind what Nicole is empowered to share with the world. Her aim within the business and her creative projects is to inspire others to pursue what this means for them, at all costs. She makes it her business to "avoid wasting time by doing what you’re supposed to do and being who you’re supposed to be.”