Lisa Nichols: How She Makes A Living

Posted by Onassis Krown on June 05, 2025

The Ultimate Guide on Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols is not just a motivational speaker—she’s a phenomenon. A force of nature who went from struggling single mother on public assistance to one of the most-requested speakers in the world, a best-selling author, a CEO, and a transformational leader. Her journey is one of resilience, authenticity, and unapologetic self-love. If you’ve ever searched for hope, purpose, or a way to turn your pain into power, Lisa Nichols’ story is a blueprint for transformation.

This guide dives deep into the life, work, philosophy, and global impact of Lisa Nichols. Whether you’re just discovering her or have followed her for years, this will offer new insights, valuable takeaways, and a renewed appreciation for a woman who teaches us how to be bold, brilliant, and beautifully broken on the path to wholeness.

From Struggle to Stage: Lisa’s Backstory

Lisa Nichols didn’t begin her life on stages or in boardrooms. Her story starts in South Central Los Angeles—an environment more associated with survival than success. She faced the kind of adversity that could easily swallow a dream. At one point, she had only $12 to her name and was unable to buy diapers for her infant son, Jelani.

Yet something inside her refused to give up. She didn’t wait for someone to save her. She decided to be the hero in her own story.

In many of her talks, Lisa recounts the moment she looked in the mirror and made a decision: "Lisa, you are not available for your excuses anymore." That was the turning point. She began investing in her personal development, speaking at every opportunity, and eventually founded Motivating the Masses, a personal and business development company that has transformed lives around the globe.

Motivating the Masses: Building a Legacy

Lisa Nichols is the founder and CEO of Motivating the Masses, one of the few minority-owned and woman-owned personal development training companies to go public. The organization focuses on empowering entrepreneurs, aspiring speakers, and personal growth enthusiasts to maximize their potential and monetize their purpose.

Through her training programs, including Speak and Inspire, Abundance Now, and various live events and coaching platforms, Lisa helps people:

Overcome limiting beliefs
Craft and deliver powerful messages
Design a life and business that reflects their deepest values
Shift from scarcity mindset to abundance thinking

Lisa’s teaching style is not sugar-coated. She delivers “tough love with a warm heart,” using her personal stories to connect, inspire, and challenge her audience to rise to their next best self.

Signature Speaking Style: “Speak With a Heart”

Lisa Nichols has a rare and powerful gift—the ability to tell stories that pierce the heart and spark transformation.

Her delivery is filled with emotion, rhythm, and conviction. She doesn’t just speak to her audience—she speaks with them. She moves between laughter and tears effortlessly, creating safe space for people to confront their fears and celebrate their strengths.

One of her most famous speeches was on The Secret, where she shared the power of manifesting abundance through visualization and belief. While some speakers offer theoretical advice, Lisa shares practical tools that helped her get “out of bankruptcy and into abundance.”

Her speaking style is characterized by:

Radical honesty: She shares her scars, not just her successes.
Vulnerability: She believes in showing up as is to connect more deeply.
Storytelling: Every lesson is wrapped in a personal story, making it memorable and relatable.
Call to action: She urges people not just to feel inspired, but to take inspired action.

Lisa Nichols Best-Selling Author: Words that Transform

Lisa Nichols is the author or co-author of several transformative books, including:

1. “No Matter What!”

This book details her journey from broke and broken to building a multi-million dollar company. It introduces the reader to nine “bounce back” muscles that help develop emotional resilience. These include:

The Faith Muscle
The Take Action Muscle
The Honesty Muscle

Each chapter is part memoir, part workbook, filled with exercises to help readers stretch themselves into greatness.

2. “Abundance Now”

In this book, Lisa teaches how to shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance—financially, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. It’s not just about making money; it’s about becoming rich in life. She introduces her four E’s:

Enrichment
Engagement
Endowment
Enjoyment

3. “Chicken Soup for the African American Soul” (co-author)

This installment of the Chicken Soup series celebrates stories of faith, hope, and resilience in the Black community. Lisa’s contribution helps shine light on diverse voices in personal development.

Her books are not fluff—they are instruction manuals for living a bigger, bolder life. Whether you’re looking to speak, write, lead, or heal, Lisa’s books offer the tools and inspiration to begin.

Signature Philosophies and Teachings of Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols teaches more than motivation—she offers transformation. Her methods are designed to take you from “just surviving” to truly thriving.

1. “Be the First”

Lisa often tells people, “You may be the first to do it, but you don’t have to be the last.” Whether it’s building wealth, getting therapy, graduating college, or healing family trauma—she encourages people to break generational patterns.

2. “Abundant Life Blueprint”

Lisa teaches that abundance is more than money. It’s having rich relationships, time freedom, joy, and spiritual fulfillment. She challenges her audience to redefine wealth holistically.

3. “Your Story is Your Superpower”

Lisa believes that your mess is your message. She teaches people to own their story without shame. The very things you hide could be the things that heal others.

4. “Radical Self-Care”

Success without health is a hollow victory. Lisa emphasizes rest, self-compassion, and boundaries as vital ingredients for success. She models this by taking intentional breaks from the spotlight to rejuvenate her spirit.

5. “Don’t Just Be Motivated—Be Activated”

Motivation is fleeting; activation creates movement. Lisa urges people to stop being “conference junkies” and start being implementers. Her programs always focus on action steps and results.

Lisa Nichols: The Power of Vulnerability

One of Lisa’s most powerful qualities is her willingness to be vulnerable. She openly shares stories of domestic abuse, financial struggle, rejection, and parenting as a single mother. In doing so, she gives others permission to own their truth and release shame.

Her openness about depression, suicidal thoughts, and bouncing back from rejection reminds us that transformation doesn’t require perfection—it requires commitment.

This vulnerability is not weakness—it’s her greatest strength. And it’s one of the reasons she continues to resonate with audiences across cultures, ages, and experiences.

Global Impact and Recognition of Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols’ work has reached millions. She has been featured on Oprah, Larry King Live, Steve Harvey, Dr. Phil, and The Today Show. She has spoken in over 30 countries and touched more than 80 million people through her videos, books, and courses.

She has received numerous awards for her humanitarian work and contributions to personal development. But for Lisa, the real reward is in the lives changed:

The woman who left an abusive relationship after hearing Lisa speak.
The teen who decided not to take his own life after reading her book.
The single mom who started her business using Lisa’s teachings.

These are the ripples of transformation that define her legacy.

Lisa on Love, Parenting, and Legacy

Lisa doesn’t compartmentalize her life. Whether she’s on a stage in Dubai or spending time with her son, she brings her full self. One of her most powerful roles has been that of a mother. Her son Jelani is often mentioned in her speeches, not just as her “why,” but also as someone she’s proud to have raised into manhood.

She speaks candidly about co-parenting, personal sacrifices, and the lessons she’s learned while building a business and raising a Black son in America. Her approach to parenting echoes her message to the world: lead with love, lead with truth, and show up fully.

Legacy, for Lisa, is not just about the wealth she builds but the wisdom she imparts. She believes in “paying it forward” and helps others build their legacy through books, businesses, and impact work.

Lisa Nichols Criticism and Growth

As with any public figure, Lisa Nichols has faced criticism. Some have questioned her association with “The Secret” and its emphasis on the Law of Attraction. Others challenge the high-ticket prices of her programs.

But Lisa has never claimed to be perfect. In fact, she invites feedback, admits when she gets it wrong, and uses every experience as a lesson in leadership. Her transparency about her own evolution sets her apart from “guru culture.” She’s not on a pedestal—she’s in the trenches with you.

Her response to critique is often rooted in grace. She listens, reflects, and adapts. Growth, to her, is a lifelong journey.

The Lisa Nichols Effect

Lisa Nichols doesn’t just motivate people—she activates movements. When she speaks, people move:

They leave toxic relationships.
They start businesses.
They heal from trauma.
They write books.
They say “yes” to their dreams.

She embodies what it means to live unapologetically and encourages others to do the same. Her reach spans continents, but her message remains the same: You are enough. You are worthy. You have permission to shine.

Takeaways from Lisa Nichols’ Teachings

Your past does not define you—it refines you.
Speak your truth even if your voice shakes.
Take action before you feel “ready.”
Invest in yourself—you are your best asset.
Serve from your overflow, not your cup.
Build your muscles of resilience and faith.
Your voice is needed. Your story matters.

Final Thoughts: Everything You Want to Know About Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols’ life is not meant to be replicated—it’s meant to be resonated with. Her story isn’t a prescription; it’s a permission slip.

To rise when you’ve fallen.
To own your brilliance.
To love your imperfections.
To speak, write, lead, and live from your full truth.

Whether you want to be a speaker, author, coach, or changemaker, Lisa Nichols shows what’s possible when you say yes to your calling and no to your excuses.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to start. Speak the truth. Take the leap. And trust that, like Lisa, you can turn your breakdown into a breakthrough—and your mess into a message.

You are the author of your next chapter. What would Lisa Nichols say?

“Stand in your story, not in your shame. And then, go out and change the world.”

Lateef Warnick is the founder of Onassis Krown. He currently serves as a Senior Healthcare Consultant in the Jacksonville FL area and is a Certified Life Coach, Marriage Counselor, Keynote Speaker and Author of "Know Thyself," "The Golden Egg" and "Wear Your Krown." He is also a former Naval Officer, Licensed Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent, Realtor, Serial Entrepreneur, musical artist A.L.I.A.S., and Travel Partner #20735937284 for discounted & free vacations!

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