Discover Self-Love and Confidence in Nichole Nunes’ ‘Short Hair Is Awesome Too!’ and ‘I Am What I Say I Am’

Empowering Young Minds Through Storytelling

Nichole Nunes, founder of The Empowered Lyfe (Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday), has always believed in the transformational power of words. From her experiences as an empowerment coach to her devotion as a mother, she has witnessed firsthand how self-love, faith in God, and positive affirmations can shape a person’s destiny. With a deep passion for helping others recognize their inherent worth, Nichole has poured her heart into two children’s books—Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am—each inspired by her own children, Jade Mackenzie and Jaxon.

The Inspiration Behind the Books

Nichole’s journey began with her desire to pass on the timeless values of self-esteem and self-love to her children. She noticed early on that young minds are remarkably impressionable and benefit greatly from stories that mirror their own experiences. Recognizing this need, Nichole created characters based on her daughter and son, hoping to nurture the self-confidence of children everywhere.

In Short Hair Is Awesome Too!, she addresses an all-too-common struggle for young girls: feeling pressured to look a certain way in order to fit in. The main character, eight-year-old Mackenzie, grapples with comparing herself to others. Instead of focusing on what makes her unique, she begins to long for the qualities she doesn’t have. Through colorful storytelling, readers follow Mackenzie’s journey to embrace her short hair and realize she is a masterpiece, just as she is. Nichole hopes that by showing children this relatable story, they will learn to appreciate their own uniqueness and recognize the beauty in diversity.

I Am What I Say I Am shifts attention to the power of words and affirmations. Using her son Jaxon’s vibrant energy as inspiration, Nichole showcases how speaking positivity into one’s life can profoundly impact self-worth and perspective. The storyline illustrates how self-belief and faith in God can guide children to see that anything is possible, especially when they speak words of encouragement and truth over themselves. Nichole’s message is clear: with determination, gratitude, and the right mindset, children can become whatever they set their hearts on.

Cultivating Self-Love and Faith

Nichole’s commitment to faith and personal growth doesn’t stop with her children’s stories. Through her work as an empowerment coach, she encourages women to find love for themselves by exploring their strengths, recognizing their potential, and nurturing their relationship with God. She underscores the importance of faith-based living, reminding others that trusting in a higher power can provide a powerful sense of purpose and resilience.

As part of her mission, Nichole is establishing a self-love teaching academy under the umbrella of her business, Empowered Lyfe. The academy will provide tools and resources designed to help individuals build confidence, speak kindly to themselves, and live life with a sense of hope and determination. With her warm guidance and wealth of personal experience, Nichole aspires to create a supportive community where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired.

Although her focus on children’s books stems from wanting to support younger minds, Nichole extends her passion for empowerment to adults through her poetry collection. Her poems delve into the journey of self-discovery, emphasize finding strength in vulnerability, and encourage readers to embrace who they truly are. Through both her poetry and her children’s stories, Nichole weaves a consistent message: to love oneself faithfully every day.

Representation and Impact

An essential facet of Nichole’s work lies in representation. Both of her children’s books feature children of color, providing a much-needed spotlight on diverse experiences. Nichole firmly believes in the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in the pages of a book, especially when it comes to topics like self-worth and identity. By crafting inclusive stories, she hopes readers from all backgrounds will feel seen, understood, and motivated to adopt an empowering mindset.

A particularly rewarding part of this journey has been watching Jade Mackenzie and Jaxon, now 20 and 16, embody the lessons shared in Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am. As confident, optimistic, and goal-oriented young adults, they stand as living proof of how effective early lessons of self-love and faith can be. Nichole’s hope is that her readers will find the same inspiration, walk away feeling encouraged, and continue spreading positive energy in their own families and communities.

Creating an Empowered Future

Through her dedication as an author, empowerment coach, and soon-to-be director of a self-love teaching academy, Nichole Nunes reminds everyone—young or old—that they are enough just as they are. Her life’s work truly embodies the mission of Empowered Lyfe: Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday. Whether it’s guiding women to embrace their worth through poetry or motivating children to speak uplifting words over their lives, Nichole’s stories and teachings are geared toward igniting courage, boosting self-confidence, and fostering a resilient spirit in every heart she touches.

From Short Hair Is Awesome Too! to I Am What I Say I Am, these gentle yet powerful tales reveal how faith, affirmations, and sincere self-acceptance can transform individuals and communities. Nichole’s hope is that through her books, everyone—no matter their background—will discover the remarkable gift of believing in themselves and will feel empowered to chase their dreams without reservation.

We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My name is Nichole Nunes, and I am an Empowerment Coach, author, speaker, and attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. While I have had a successful career in law, I realized that my true passion lies in making a deeper, more personal impact on people’s lives. This realization inspired me to transition from full-time legal practice to empowerment coaching, writing, and motivational speaking.

I now focus on helping individuals—especially women and children—rediscover their self-worth, embrace authenticity, and create lives they love. Through my coaching programs, I provide tools for personal growth, healing, and transformation. As an author, I’ve written two children’s books, Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, which teach self-esteem, self-love, and the power of positive affirmations. I’ve also written a book for women, With the Beauty of a Butterfly, a book of poetry on the road to hope, healing, and transformation.

My mission is to empower others to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact on the world.

Can you please tell us about your journey?

My journey has been one of self-discovery and redefining my purpose. While practicing law, I found myself constantly searching for a career path that truly fit me. No matter how much I tried, I felt like a round peg being forced into a square hole. While my legal career brought success, it lacked the deeper fulfillment I craved—the ability to uplift and transform lives in a more personal, impactful way.

This realization led me to create The Empowered Lyfe, where LYFE stands for Loving Yourself Faithfully Everyday. Through this platform, I coach women on their journeys of self-love, healing, and empowerment. I also recently launched The Empowered Lyfe Training Academy, where I provide personal development training, coaching, and empowerment workshops designed to help people unlock their full potential and live purpose-driven lives.

My passion for inspiring others also led me to become an author, writing three books which highlight that we are strong, capable, and worthy.

While I still maintain my legal expertise, stepping into this new chapter of empowerment coaching, writing, and speaking has been the most fulfilling journey of my life. I’ve finally found what fits—a purpose-driven path where I can inspire positive change, connect with others, and help them believe in themselves and their limitless potential.

Please tell us about your Children’s books.

I’ve always believed in the power of stories to inspire, heal, and transform. That belief inspired me to write two children’s books: Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am. Both books are deeply personal and were inspired by my own children, Jade Mackenzie and Jaxon, who serve as the main characters. Their real-life experiences taught me the importance of helping children embrace who they are, love themselves, and speak positivity into their lives.

Short Hair Is Awesome Too! was inspired by my daughter Jade Mackenzie’s experience with self-esteem and body image. It’s a story about embracing uniqueness, celebrating individuality, and finding confidence in how you see yourself, even when the world may see you differently.

I Am What I Say I Am focuses on the power of words and affirmations. Through the story of Mackenzie and Jax, children learn how speaking positive affirmations can shape how they see themselves and the world around them. It’s a lesson about creating your reality through belief, positivity, and self-worth.

What makes these stories even more meaningful is seeing how my own children, now 20 and 16, have benefited from the lessons in these books. Watching them grow into confident, resilient, and goal-oriented young adults has reinforced my belief in the power of self-love, authenticity, and positive affirmations.

Both books are especially meaningful because, while they address children of all colors, races, and nationalities, they center on children of color, offering representation and stories that reflect the diversity of their experiences. My hope is that these books empower children everywhere to see their unique value, believe in their potential, and know they can overcome any challenge and achieve greatness with the right mindset and tools.

What strategies helped you become successful in your journey?

As a child, I struggled with very low self-esteem, a challenge that followed me into adulthood. I made a promise to myself that my own children would have a different experience—that they would be raised with a strong sense of self-worth and love. This commitment to fostering self-love in them became the foundation of my work and inspired me to create spaces where others can learn these invaluable lessons.

I’ve also stayed committed to my faith and personal growth, constantly learning, reflecting, evolving, and depending on my Higher Power, which for me is God. Practicing self-love, speaking positive affirmations, and reframing challenges have been essential tools in my life.

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the power of being value-driven, committed to making a difference in the service of others, and surrounding myself with a supportive community. I’ve been willing to adapt and embrace change and healing, transform my passion, and manifest it in all areas of my life, and I’m dedicated to helping others do the same.

Any message for our readers

It is possible to love yourself faithfully every day. No matter where you are on your journey, you have the power to take control of your life, rewrite your story, and step into your full potential. Get in the driver’s seat and take the wheel—I’ll be there to guide and support you every step of the way.

Whether you’re looking for personalized coaching, motivational speaking for your school or event, interactive workshops, or meaningful gifts like my children’s books, Short Hair Is Awesome Too! and I Am What I Say I Am, I’m here to help you or your loved ones on this incredible journey of self-love, empowerment, and personal growth.

Now is the time! You are worthy, capable, and destined for greatness. Reach out—I’d be honored to walk this path with you.

Thank you so much, Nichole, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!