Houston, Texas | Learner & Student
A Note from Stephanie
Nicole joined us through Riipen while we were navigating product labeling compliance for our expansion into the U.S. and Canadian markets. What struck me about Nicole was her leadership — not the loud kind, but the kind that quietly raises the bar for everyone around her. She asked sharp questions, dug deep into the research, and pushed the work further than the original scope asked for. She's the kind of person who makes a whole team better just by showing up the way she does. I feel lucky we got to work together.
Who is Nicole?
I'm currently pursuing my B.S. in Marketing at Western Governors University while building a career in marketing strategy, project management, and creative direction. My gradual journey toward this path has taught me how important people are behind every experience, product, and brand.
What matters most to me is creating work that means something to others. I'm deeply motivated by the idea that even small acts of collaboration, creativity, or support can positively impact someone's life in ways we may never fully see. Whether through marketing, storytelling, strategy, or leadership, I hope to contribute to work that feels human, purposeful, and capable of inspiring others to create and grow.
Nicole's Bumby Story
I was introduced to Bumby Wool through a WGU School of Business x Riipen micro-internship focused on product label compliance for apparel and cosmetics entering the U.S. from Canada. During our kickoff meeting, Stephanie's openness, leadership style, and passion for her business and people immediately stood out.
What impacted me most was feeling genuinely trusted as a student. Stephanie gave us ownership of our work while always encouraging us — shaping a collaborative rather than transactional environment. I helped compile regulatory resources and structure a compliance audit report and packaging and label standards manual, covering customs declarations, apparel and cosmetic labeling requirements, market entry strategies, and risk audits across multiple product categories.
What She'd Love to Highlight
I'd love to highlight the importance of giving students and emerging professionals opportunities to contribute meaningfully to real-world work. One of the most impactful parts of this experience was feeling trusted enough to bring ideas forward, collaborate openly, and create work that had genuine value beyond the classroom.
I'd also love to highlight how community-driven Bumby Wool feels as a company. The willingness to uplift others, create opportunities, and build relationships rooted in support and collaboration left a lasting impression on me — and genuinely changed the way I think about leadership and business.
What She Loves Most About Bumby
What I appreciate most about Bumby Wool is the humanity behind it. Beyond the products themselves, the company feels deeply rooted in care, collaboration, and the desire to create something meaningful for people. I admire the way Bumby actively supports independent brands, students, and individuals who simply need an opportunity or someone willing to believe in them. That kind of environment is rare, and it reminded me how powerful thoughtful leadership and genuine collaboration can be.
Connect with Nicole: LinkedIn
Nicole was part of the same Riipen cohort as Kaelyn Stayrook — read her spotlight too!