Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita Collier.
Hi Nikita, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up watching my dad run his construction company. He used to take me to construction sites when he was building homes, and that is where entrepreneurship started for me. My dad has always been my hero, and he set the example I wanted to follow. I started my first business around eight years old selling homemade greeting cards. It did not last long, but I was learning early. I was reading business magazines and following my parents to work and meetings.
I picked entrepreneurship back up in college when I started developing websites for people. The real turning point came after I graduated and completed a coding bootcamp. I tried to get a traditional job and I could not get hired. It was unexpected with my skillset, but it became foundational. I was repeatedly told I was too creative for the backend developer roles I applied to. I needed income, so I turned the websites I was doing for cash into a real business. My workload kept growing, but the hours in the day stayed the same, so I had to restructure everything to take on more clients and build something sustainable.
In the very early days, I spent hours in my school’s digital lab and library teaching myself the software I needed to build my first websites. Honestly, not much has changed. I am still working from my laptop at home, and I still love working from local bookstores and coffee shops like I did when I first started. The difference now is that I have a fully remote team I meet with virtually. I still lead strategy and design, and I know every role on my team. That keeps communication strong between our project managers, creatives, and clients.
Over time, that first business grew into more. SolsPro, my digital agency, came first. As I grew in tech, I launched The Genius Code, my youth edtech company that teaches kids how to code through creativity and storytelling. That eventually led to That AI Girl, which will be launching a podcast in early 2026. Most recently, I started a nonprofit in honor of my parents.
This year has been full of I am really doing this moments. Speaking at Google for the Blockly Summit was a huge accomplishment for me and for my company that teaches kids how to code. I am also almost finished with my Master’s in Data Science. I have already built my first predictive model and now I am working on my first LLM. Even this interview means a lot. It is special when someone takes the time to listen to your story.
One of my biggest personal challenges has been losing my parents. It is something I deal with every day and it affects my professional life too. Running multiple businesses while grieving is not easy. I had to stop taking everything so personally and give myself space when I need it. Uncontrolled emotions can wreck a business, so there are moments where I have to step back and take a mental wellness hour or day. I had to unlearn operating like a machine and give myself grace to be human.
Right now, the most meaningful thing to me is having a home to come back to and a family to love. I bet everything on myself. My savings, my time, everything. I did not anticipate becoming physically ill, staying encouraging from another state while my dad was battling cancer, or losing both my job and my home. Being homeless for over a year while disabled was one of the hardest experiences of my life. All of this was happening while I was restructuring the business that brought in my main income. I could not stop because I was too close to the finish line and I did not have the energy to start something new from the beginning. Now I am excited for the simple things, like taking my Christmas decorations out of storage and decorating my apartment.
Right now, I am in a consistent building season. SolsPro offers monthly design subscriptions, video editing, and web development. The Genius Code is still in research and development for its main product, but we are already getting supplemental materials into schools and hosting community workshops. That AI Girl will be launching Totally Techie in early 2026. My nonprofit is in its foundational phase and I am taking my time learning the process and moving at a pace that feels right.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges was growing before I was ready. I remember being in Omaha for my family reunion with my laptop open the entire weekend because I had a deadline. That moment showed me I needed more structure and boundaries. When I got back home, even more clients reached out wanting bigger projects, and that is when I realized I either needed a team or I needed to do something different. After finishing my projects, I paused operations and rebuilt the company’s foundation, which eventually led to a full rebrand and a new name.
The hardest season for me personally was the year I lost my father. I was still restructuring the business, so I did not have active clients at the time, and honestly, that may have been the best thing for me. What pushed me to keep going was my desire to still live my life the best way I could. My dad was always a gentle pusher. He had already laid the foundation for entrepreneurship in me, and he encouraged me throughout my own journey. Knowing that this is what he wanted for me keeps me moving forward because I am accomplishing the plan we set together.
I also had to let go of working nonstop. I need to enjoy my life and my family. I had to accept that I am not the right match for everyone, and that is okay. Every client is appreciated, but consultations help us see how we would work together. It is not just about the agency getting a project. It is about whether the partnership works for both sides.
Through all of this, I have learned resilience and grace. Self-belief is something I have always had, and it is a major reason many doors have opened for me. I am trusting that as I continue to grow, I will step into new levels with confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I own a digital branding agency that delivers digital experiences through monthly design subscriptions or one-time projects. We specialize in web design and development, but our services also include creative direction, branding, graphic design, video editing, digital and physical product design, and product packaging. Clients work with us because we focus on clear strategy, clean design, and reliable delivery.
What sets SolsPro apart is our personalized approach. I take the time to understand what a client needs, where they want to be, and what it takes to get them to that destination with the help of the agency. My background in both coding and design is a major advantage, and my ability to learn, grow, and adapt benefits the clients we serve. Creative direction, professionalism, and quality are the core of our agency, and that shows in every deliverable.
I am extremely proud of the quality of our work and the work our clients are doing. We partner with nonprofits, youth initiatives, business professionals, healthcare organizations, and many more industries. Being able to support their missions through strong digital experiences is something I value deeply.
If people remember one thing about me and my business, it is that you can do great things starting with the knowledge and the work you put in today.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Self-belief and willpower have been at the center of my success. I trust myself enough to begin, and I stay committed long enough to finish. That combination has made the biggest difference in my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solspros.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solspros
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solspros/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solsproltd
- Other: https://thebrandsols.com
