GLAMoms love Mondays or as someone recently mentioned, Mom-days with the Monday Meet a Mom features! And this week we have the local, and lovely Nicole Wiseman – wife, mom, Michigan State University Assistant Cheerleading Coach and Senior Associate at Colliers – a global commercial real estate firm.
Nicole is humble and grateful and attributes a lot of what she is able to do to her village. “My village is amazing and without them we wouldn’t be where we are nor have the opportunities that we do.”
Within that village is her mom and also her role model (and Nicole’s very first cheerleader)! Learn more about Nicole, her family, along with a few hints, tips, fun stories and how a welcomed hug from her soon to be 15 month old is just the perfect welcome home greeting.
She shares how everything just works out and says, “The realist in me understands that you can’t always have it all but the optimist in me says well why not try!”
And with that, we are honored to share Nicole Wiseman as the GLAMoms Meet a Mom this week!
Image credit, Katherine Luisa Photography
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Nicole! Please introduce yourself!
Hi I am Nicole, I was born and raised in East Lansing, went to Haslett High School (with my future husband) then went to Michigan State, where I cheered for 4 years, and graduated with a degree in Psychology.
I didn’t want to say goodbye to cheering so I tried out for the Pistons Cheer team and was with them for 3 years before I decided the commute and physical commitment were getting to be too much. Around that time the head cheer coach at Michigan State, reached out and asked if I would be interested in coaching with her, and I have been coaching with her since 2016.
I married my husband in 2019 and we welcomed our daughter to the world in 2022. This past year has been a wild ride into motherhood but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
You’re a new mom! How old is your daughter? What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom so far?
My daughter is about to be 15 months going on 2-years old. She is spunky, sassy and sweet.
The best part of being a mom so far is watching her learn new things. Things that I instinctively do without thought. She is learning, walking, talking, eating solid foods etc. and it is amazing to see the light bulb go off or hear her use words/phrases in the right context.
She provides me with the motivation to do the right thing, because she is always watching. Like when I am in a hurry and ask my husband to hand me something and might forget to say “thank you” I have to stop myself, slow down and remember to say those two words because I know she is watching, learning and eventually modeling my behavior.
And without knowing it yet, she keeps me in check 🙂
First, would you share a bit about what you do at Colliers, a commercial real estate company as a Senior Associate?
Colliers is a full service commercial real estate firm. We have global reach with offices all over the world, yet we have local connections and feel. Colliers Lansing primarily services the Mid-Michigan Area but we utilize our partner offices in Grand Rapids and Detroit on many joint ventures. My specialty is office space. I assist buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants to find or offload offices.
Over the last few years office space has found itself in challenging times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the hybrid work environment office users are finding that they need to realign their office footprint with their new space needs. While it has been a challenging time in the office sector, it has provided me with opportunities to learn and allowed me to connect with individuals and companies I probably would not have if the trajectory were different.
We can’t always control what happens to us but we can do our best to control how we react to it and I keep that top of mind as the office market tries to find its new normal.
And you already mentioned the Assistant MSU Cheerleading Coach! We would LOVE to hear more about this and how you became involved with coaching!
This is my 8th season with the team. The current head coach started coaching at Michigan State my senior year of college and when she reached out with an opportunity I jumped at it. The team and program are my passion, I love being involved and doing my small part to give back to the program that gave me so much. It isn’t always an easy or straight path when you decide to coach but it’s extremely rewarding watching these young men and women work hard, mature and blossom into young adults who are ready to take on the world.
How do you balance being a mom, along with working full time and coaching MSU cheerleading ?
The balancing act is hard and I am not quite sure I do it well but I certainly try my best! Sometimes aspects of my life get more attention than others (like the house when it needs to be cleaned but it’s game day 😁)
The realist in me understands that you can’t always have it all but the optimist in me says well why not try! I want my daughter to see that you don’t have to be defined by one thing but what makes up a person is many things, hard work and the loved ones in your life that help you along the way, to name a few!
I wouldn’t be where I am or have the ability to try and juggle all of the things if it weren’t for my people.
My husband, Daniel Wiseman, is a rock star and truly is my teammate in life and parenting. He supports my endeavor with the team, work and family and pushes me to be my best at each one. We have this understanding that he takes on a lot of the family and house duties in the fall and winter for cheer season then I pick up the reins for spring and summer for golf season. None of this works without him and a good shared calendar.
People always say this but you don’t realize how true it is until you have a kid, that “it takes a village.” Besides my husband we lean heavily on my parents and my in-laws for advice, babysitting and home cooked meals. All our family members are willing to help out and provide support where needed to allow us to realize our goals and dreams.
My village is amazing and without them we wouldn’t be where we are nor have the opportunities that we do.
Who has been your biggest role model?
I take so much from the people in my life; friends and family. I see my friends killing it at momming and advancing at work and they give me the drive to keep passionately pursuing both!
My husband battled childhood cancer, and while he came out on top, he and his family went through many struggles along the way that shaped him into the person he is today. I am in awe of his relentless drive, competitive nature and positive mindset. He is a constant reminder that we get one go around in this life, so give it all you got and enjoy what’s right in front of you.
However, my biggest role model both professionally and personally is mom, Renee DeMarco. Most of my life, certainly all of my adult life, she has been a CEO of a credit union. She embodies what it means to be a lady boss and leader. People that are in her sphere are encouraged to be the best versions of themselves, ask for help when needed and work really hard.
You can’t help but to level up when you are around her. I was lucky because this woman who is so intelligent, enthusiastic, determined, confident and inspiring, I got to call her mom. I believe I learned how to be a working mom through her, she worked full time in a career that demanded much of her attention however I never felt slighted or on the back burner growing up.
She worked my classrooms, she went to all my cheer competitions, we traveled, she stayed on me about my grades, her and my dad were at anything and everything during my MSU cheer career. Without realizing it she showed me how to be accountable, resilient and organized. She taught me about financial literacy (savings, debt both the good and the bad). She taught me that if you love what you do, the money will come.
If you love your career the bad days won’t happen often and when they do you will be able to quickly navigate through them. To this day she models what it is to be a good leader of an organization and the household. If I could emulate one person it would be her, and if I can impart a fraction of the wisdom and lessons she has taught me to my daughter, I would call it a success.
I am exceptionally proud of her everyday and I am forever grateful to call her my mom and friend!
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day?
Wait for Ida to come running around the corner for a hug.
What are you looking forward to for the remainder of 2023?
I am looking forward to closing out the year seeing some long-awaited deals come to fruition, working hard on our nationals routine for when we head down to Orlando in January but what I am most excited for is seeing Ida experience all the upcoming holidays and family festivities!
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 😃
Besides Spartan Stadium, what is your favorite stadium you have been to with MSU cheerleading?
MICHIGAN, both while I was cheering and coaching! Both times we beat them 😃💚
You and your husband golf, do you have a golf course bucket list? Or a favorite course in Michigan?
Hahah I wish I could say I golf but I am more of Daniel’s cheerleader when it comes to golf.
What is one beauty product you can’t live without?
Mascara
Last book you read?
I haven’t sat down and read a book all the way through it for quite some time but I have been enjoying the Headway app. It gives you a summary of a book on topics I am interested in, much of which are non-fiction, parenting, coaching and leadership.
If you watch television, what is your favorite show?
The only TV we watch right now is Ms. Rachel, Sesame Street and Bluey. Prior to that, my husband and I watched a lot of documentaries.
Right now when sports or Ms. Rachel are not playing, I have found myself watching Suits – No spoilers please, this is my first time watching it!
The children’s book you most enjoy reading?
We read a lot of Goodnight Bunny or Peek-A-Who at our house
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family?
We go to Potter Park Zoo a lot.
What do you think the Greater Lansing area needs more of?
Restaurants and fun places to go with the fam.
As we are now is fall fall, we mean yoga pants season, what is your favorite brand?
I wear a lot of Lulu’s or Target yoga pants, however I am more of a jeans gal! No particular brand, they just need to be highwaisted.
Mind sharing a mom trick another mom will be happy to learn?
Momming is hard, beautiful and fun! I suggest getting yourself a large coffee and a good shared calendar and enjoy the adventure!
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information?
My Instagram page – @nicolerwiseman
GLAMoms recently had the opportunity to visit a MSU Cheerleading practice with our girls and Nicole’s enthusiasm is contagious. She is a proud Spartan both on and off the field. She smiles when she talks about the life she and her husband have created. Nicole – it was an absolute pleasure to learn more about you and your story!
Thank you for joining GLAMoms this week! And GO GREEN!
**all images provided by Nicole Wiseman except first photograph, by Katherine Luisa Photography @kluisaphotography
Meet a Mom Sponsor information
Today’s Meet a Mom featuring Nicole Wiseman was brought to you by Boji Group. Boji Group specializes in Private-Public Partnerships, has offices in both Lansing and Birmingham and is headquartered in downtown Lansing.
Are you interested or know of someone who would make a great GLAMoms Meet a Mom?
Send a message to [email protected] and we will take it from there!
