From Zero to One Million

PeopleForward Network’s Story of Chasing Dreams and Overcoming Obstacles

At People Forward Network, we’ve always believed that true success lies not in the pursuit of perfection, but in the relentless drive for excellence. Our journey, spearheaded by our visionary Founder and Chief Meaningful Work Officer, Nikki Lewallen Gregory , is a testament to the power of dreaming big and taking calculated risks. She shared the story on an episode of Addicted to Betterment .

If you feel like you were meant for more, keep chasing it. There is a place, a sweet spot, where you feel “THIS is IT!” Nikki knows that nudge well, and she has refused to give up on her vision.

What started as a napkin sketch in 2021 has blossomed into a thriving podcast network reaching over 1 million listeners. However, this meteoric rise was not without its challenges. From the very beginning, our small but mighty team faced the harsh realities of entrepreneurship head-on.

Navigating the Peaks and Valleys of Entrepreneurship

Leaving the comfort of her corporate job, Nikki embarked on a mission to create something truly impactful. She knew the path ahead would be filled with uncertainty, but her unwavering passion and vision fueled her forward.

“I have a God that’s guiding me, and I stand behind Him, and I will find a better way. And if I’m doing something different next month, not away from PFN, by the way, but if we’re doing something different, cool, it’s because I know it’s a better way.”

Just as the momentum was building, we faced our first significant obstacle. In January 2022, just seven months into business, our largest client abruptly pulled out of their contract, leaving our financial stability in jeopardy.

“It was a punch in the gut, and I remember that pit in my stomach coming back. But I knew we had to keep going. We’ll do it. We’ll get through it. We’ve got this.”

Chelsea Sangar (now our Head of Operations), a single mom at the time who had taken a risk to join the team, was understandably shaken. But Nikki’s conviction and leadership steadied the ship. “I’m sure,” Nikki told her two-person team. “If anybody can do it, I can lead it.”? Refusing to let the loss derail their progress, they doubled down on their efforts, focusing on building the network and finding new ways to drive success.

Cultivating a Culture of Resilience and Gratitude

Nikki’s ability to pivot, adapt, and find the silver lining in every setback has been instrumental to the success of the network. She understands that failure and continues to encourage our team that challenges are not obstacles to be feared, but rather critical ingredients for growth and achievement.

“Success can only be achieved through failure. Failure and challenges are the two critical ingredients for success.”

Nikki’s unwavering commitment to her vision and our team’s well-being has been the driving force behind PeopleForward Network’s success. Together, our team has learned to embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of a new business, understanding that the path to greatness is paved with imperfections.

Celebrating Milestones and Honoring Contributions

As we reached the monumental milestone of 1 million listens, we took the time to celebrate and reflect on the journey. We honored the contributions of everyone who had a hand in the process.

One such key contributor was Stephanie Hicks , who had been with the company since the very beginning, employee number 1, who has been coined, “PFN Startup G.O.A.T.”? Without her “yes” and tireless efforts, the network would likely still exist, but we might not have reached the point at which we are today. When the time came for Stephanie to step away and take a well-deserved break, the team sent her off with a heartfelt celebration, recognizing her immense impact.

Another early team member, Ashley Young , had quietly been a rock for the company, working behind the scenes in the early months, while also managing her role at Nikki’s previous business. When the opportunity arose, Ashley transitioned to joining the PFN team full-time as the, now, Director of Marketing, bringing her talents and passion to elevate the brand.

The ability to infuse our journey with gratitude and celebration has been a testament to Nikki’s leadership and the values she has instilled in our team of now ten people. By recognizing and honoring the contributions of those around her, she has fostered a culture of mutual respect, support, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Inspiring Others to Chase Their Dreams

As we continue to grow and evolve, we hope to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem. We want to empower people to embrace excellence over perfection, to find the courage to take risks, and to never give up in the face of adversity.

“When you get there, and if you’re in the victory mode right now, stop. Give gratitude and celebrate.”

Our journey is a powerful reminder that true success is not about reaching a perfect end goal, but about the resilience, gratitude, and excellence displayed along the way. We hope our story serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, inspiring them to embrace the challenges and celebrate the victories on their own path to greatness.

“We don’t have any crappy karma manifesters on our team or in our network,” Nikki says. “We have great people, and we’ve done great work. And it’s only just the beginning.”

Never stop seeking your purpose

You MUST take risks

Focus on the people first. Build a team that operates in their strengths space and shares core values.

Surround yourself with a peer group that supports you and pushes you – help them/ask for help.