Q: What inspires you about your work at The Pickled Beet?
NG: Working for Elizabeth Willard, a woman who has accomplished the amazing by crafting a blueprint for small business execution, is both inspiring and motivating. Specifically, I’m inspired by what she created: The Pickled Beet, an award-winning culinary services company in South Florida delivering 100% personalized, organic meals directly to homes, offices, and private jets, guided by a "Food as Medicine" philosophy.

Q: How did your background in the restaurant industry prepare you for role at The Pickled Beet?
NG: After 11 years in the business, I’ve naturally developed an understanding of operational procedures that provide more than the necessary skills that the average office manager would bring to the table.

Q: Can you share a recent success story from The Pickled Beet that highlights its impact on the health and wellness of its' clients?
NG: There is a family, single father of three who has come to depend on our service to assist him in providing nutritional and delicious meals for his extremely picky eaters. He has expressed over and over how we make his life easy. As a single mother of one, I can only imagine the task of feeding three. Glad we can assist.

Q: What advice would you give to women looking to advance in the culinary services industry?
NG: Be flexible, embrace the art of change, and give yourself grace on the tough days.

Q: What do you want readers to know about The Pickled Beet?
NG: We are a unique company that doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. Other companies may look at our business model and think. No way. Too many moving parts. But that’s why our team of highly talented and dedicated individuals is necessary. It takes each of us to deliver detailed and personalized service to every client on a weekly basis. Those who can, DO. Those who cannot, DON'T.

Q: What is one word of advice you can offer to young women who want to reach your level of success?
NG: Stretch and pull on every talent, gift and ability that you possess. Use it all. It makes you well rounded, and you learn to appreciate yourself, even when others don't.

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments of your career? 
NG: Meeting Oprah Winfrey. Not only meeting her but also working with HARPO Productions to facilitate the kickoff of her Visions tour in Sunrise. Five years later, that experience is still paying off.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
NG: My Mother. She’s firm. Quiet. Graceful and extremely thoughtful. I’m weak in all of those areas. I make the effort to be all of those things, in her honor.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
NG: I don’t look at it as separate entities. I blend work life. While working, I answer and address immediate personal issues. While on vacation. I answer and address work issues. There’s no competition. I don’t like procrastination. I adore completion. It may not work for everyone, but it does work for me.

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
NG: Women’s intuition is a very real thing. Trust your gut. 

Eleven Things About Nicole Gates 

1. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
Travel. Even if it’s a weekend road trip.

2. Among your friends, what are you best known for?
Honesty

3. What’s your favorite app on your phone?
Facebook

4. Best and worst flavor ice cream?
Rum Raisin

5. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid?
General Hospital was my favorite

6. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?
Getting married

7. What’s your favorite quote or saying?
A lesson doesn’t go away until it’s learned.

8. If you unexpectedly won $10,000, what would you spend it on?
My son.

9. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning

10. Favorite City?
Paris

11. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest? 
Touch