NICOLE SMOLEN is a writer with a background in visual arts.

Growing up, she always carried a book everywhere. Reading and inventing stories weren’t simply pastimes. They became a central part of her identity, ultimately shaping future career paths.

What started as a passion for performing led to a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Since graduating, she has experimented with a wide variety of roles in the entertainment industry—ranging from production assistant and coordinator to casting director. Her focus later shifted to producing thought-provoking, independent films with heart.

In recent years, she returned to her southern roots and founded Smolder®, a creative studio specializing in design and illustration. When she’s not telling brand stories, you can find her exploring museums, hiking forest trails, baking sourdough loaves, or escaping to fantastical realms. (This looks like Nicole frantically typing away at the keyboard while her beloved feline companions—Thelma and Louise—silently judge her exorbitant caffeine intake.)