Nicole Delma, Founder of FOND Group, on how giving back gave her the courage to take a personal and professional leap of faith

Like many people, Nicole’s early career was full of unexpected twists and turns that took her from the tech boom of Silicon Valley to an island in Panama before finally landing in New York. By that time, she had earned her way to a coveted role as the head of email strategy for a major global brand which came with the title, salary, and perks she had always worked toward. She had made it … and then tragedy struck with Hurricane Sandy in 2010.

Seeing her friends and neighbors devastated by the hurricane, she set out to do what she knew best: use her marketing expertise and network to aid relief efforts. She soon realized she could make a difference for causes she cared about and resigned from her “9-to-9” corporate job with a less than ideal balance in her checking account (NY is expensive afterall!), started her consulting firm, and never looked back.  Nearly 10 years later she has built an impressive roster of clients that include The Huffington Post, Time, Sony Music, and Harper Collins to name a few – and on her terms.

By working close to her values, she has been able to carve out a career that allows her to choose her projects which in turn has given her more energy to pursue creative endeavors and more quality time with her family. A lifelong conservationist, she helped start the Environment category at the Hampton Film Festival and has collaborated with numerous organizations to raise awareness and action for important environmental causes.

I sat down with Nicole to ask her how she got where she is and some of the lessons she’s learned along the way:

If you could offer advice to yourself during your first few years in the working world, what would you say?

Always try to give more than you take. Some of the best professional relationships and opportunities I’ve had have come as a result of giving my time without thinking about what’s in it for me. If we only work for the money, that is likely all we will get in return - a paycheck. If we truly want deeper fulfillment from our work, we have to be able give more of ourselves.

Mentors are also important, but try to seek out the people who seem happy with what they are doing and observe them. Don’t be concerned too much by their titles and salaries, but rather how they approach the world and how they deal with challenges and opportunities. What do they value? And look for ways to mentor others around you as well.

What is the one belief, habit, or shift that has made the biggest impact in your life?

Moving out of New York City to a rural part of Long Island changed my perspective dramatically. The prevailing definition of “success” in the place we live can have a huge impact on our well-being. When I lived in the city, the hours and the grind defined my day. I now live in a place that encourages me to stop and appreciate my surroundings and the people in my life. Time has slowed down, but my energy is much higher and more creative now that I have more space and time.

Speaking of creativity, what is your favorite creative outlet? 

I like to spend a lot of time working on my film projects, but when I truly want to relax I knit! It’s so important for the health of my mind to be able to use my hands to create something I can touch. I think this is something we’ve lost in our society.

What is the best thing about what you do?

Having the ability to choose my projects and work with creative people on important causes while still having time with my family. This is all a gift that I don’t take for granted.

What is the hardest thing about what you do and how do you overcome that challenge?

When you are an entrepreneur there is always pressure to grow and scale. I’ve made the conscious decision to stay small so that I can continue to stay true and close to my projects, but it is hard some days.

You’re a working mom with young kids. What advice do you have for caregivers who might feel overwhelmed about balancing careers, family, and making time for themselves?

I turn off all of my devices as soon as my kids get home and don’t turn them back on until after they’re in bed. And two nights a week I make a point not to turn them back on at all. The next day can sometimes be a challenge catching up, but it’s worth it to have that time. I also make sure to block a few hours for myself when I can. I find that if I schedule this time on my calendar, I stick to it and it actually happens. Otherwise it’s too easy to slip into constantly being on which only leads to more stress.

You can learn more about Nicole’s story and company, the FOND Group, at FondGroup.com