Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole King.
Hi Nicole , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is one of pain, purpose, and God’s restoration.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, my life took an unexpected turn. After discovering my husband’s affair, our marriage fell apart, and he filed for divorce. My children and I were devastated. As ministers and leaders in our community, the pain was not only personal—it was very public. I found myself questioning everything, including my own purpose.
Yet, even in the middle of one of the darkest seasons of my life, God continued to use me to encourage and minister to other women. I remember telling God that I felt disqualified because my marriage had failed. But God showed me that our greatest ministry often comes from our deepest wounds. He reminded me that our brokenness does not disqualify us—it can become the very thing He uses to help heal others.
Out of that season, B.E.T.T.E.R. Women Foundation was born. B.E.T.T.E.R., which stands for “Beat Every Test, Trial Every Round,” became a safe place where women could gather to be uplifted, inspired, and encouraged. Every second Saturday, women come together to discuss topics such as healing, restoration, purpose, forgiveness, and faith through biblical principles. They share their stories, build relationships, support one another, and leave empowered to continue their journey toward healing and wholeness.
As the organization grew, God placed another burden on my heart—the next generation of young women, especially young African American girls. Alongside an incredible team of dedicated women, I founded the Ladybug Mentoring & Scholarship Program. Our mission is to help girls discover their value, purpose, and place in society by equipping them with leadership skills, life skills, confidence, and opportunities for service. Our Ladybugs participate in monthly workshops, complete community service projects, and receive mentorship that helps prepare them for successful futures.
One of our proudest accomplishments is hosting what has become one of the largest galas in Early County each September, where we celebrate our young ladies and award thousands of dollars in scholarships. In just five years, we have helped send four young women to college, and we continue to impact countless others through mentorship, education, and service.
None of this would be possible without the incredible team of women who serve alongside me. They have worked tirelessly to help carry this vision and ensure that we continue showing up for the women and girls who need us most.
Today, when I look back, I can see God’s hand in every part of the journey. Through obedience, faith, and perseverance, He not only birthed a ministry from my pain, but He also restored my marriage, relocated my family from Michigan to Georgia, and opened doors I never imagined possible.
What began as one of the most painful chapters of my life became the foundation for a mission that is changing lives every day. My story is proof that God can take what was meant to break you and use it to build something that blesses others. We are impacting lives one woman and one girl at a time, and I believe the best is still yet to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not always been a smooth road.
Building a nonprofit organization in a small, rural community comes with unique challenges. Resources can be limited, and when you’re introducing a new vision, it can sometimes be difficult to get people to see what you see—especially when you’re not widely known or connected to influential circles. There were moments when the obstacles seemed overwhelming, but I have learned that when God gives you a vision, He also makes provision.
One of the greatest challenges has been maintaining our standards and expectations. The Ladybug Mentoring & Scholarship Program is designed to help young girls grow through accountability, leadership development, community service, and personal responsibility. Over the years, there have been families who chose to leave the program because they did not agree with certain requirements or expectations. While those moments were difficult, they taught us the importance of staying true to our mission and values.
Despite the challenges, we never stopped showing up for our community. We remained committed to serving women and girls, building relationships, and creating opportunities that make a lasting impact. Every setback strengthened our resolve and reminded us why this work is so important.
I am incredibly grateful for the parents who trust us with their daughters and allow us the privilege of mentoring them. I am thankful for every young lady who has embraced the program, committed to the process, and allowed us to be part of her journey. Most of all, I am grateful for my team, whose dedication and passion have helped sustain this vision through every challenge.
Looking back, the struggles were not roadblocks—they were lessons. They strengthened our foundation, deepened our faith, and prepared us to better serve those who need us most. Today, because we stayed the course, we are seeing lives transformed one woman and one girl at a time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My life’s work has always centered around education, mentorship, and service. Professionally, I am a Special Education teacher at Early County Elementary School, but my passion for teaching and helping others began long before I entered the classroom. Throughout my career, I have worked in education, from serving as an Early Childhood Instructor to becoming a Special Education teacher. Teaching is not just my profession—it is my calling.
What I specialize in is helping people recognize their potential. Whether I am working with students in the classroom, mentoring young girls through the Ladybug Mentoring & Scholarship Program, or encouraging women through B.E.T.T.E.R. Women Foundation, my goal is always the same: to help people see what God sees in them.
Even before moving to Georgia, my husband and I opened our hearts and our home to young people in our community. Our house in Michigan was known as the place where young people could gather, find support, receive guidance, and simply feel loved. That desire to serve others has followed me throughout every stage of my life.
One accomplishment I am particularly proud of is establishing the first Student Council at the elementary level in Early County. I wanted students to understand that leadership doesn’t begin in high school—it begins the moment a child realizes their voice matters. Watching students grow in confidence, leadership, and responsibility has been incredibly rewarding.
However, what brings me the greatest joy is seeing lives transformed. Through my work, I have witnessed young people gain confidence, improve their attitudes, discover their gifts, and pursue dreams they never thought possible. I have seen women begin healing journeys, rebuild their confidence, and step into their purpose. Those moments are what inspire me to continue serving every day.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely love people. I don’t do this work for recognition, titles, or financial gain. Anyone who works in education, mentoring, or nonprofit service understands that this is heart work. The reward isn’t found in a paycheck—it’s found in watching someone’s life change for the better. My passion comes from a sincere desire to help others succeed, and I believe God has called me to serve.
If I had unlimited resources, I would spend my life helping families, women, and children build brighter futures. Even now, there have been times when I have invested my own resources into the programs and people I believe in because I understand that changing lives often requires sacrifice. When I see a family strengthened, a young girl reach her goals, or a woman regain her confidence, that is worth more to me than any personal reward.
Of all the initiatives I’ve been blessed to lead, I am most proud of our annual Ladybug Gala. What began as a vision has grown into one of the most anticipated youth events in Early County. The Gala is more than an event—it is a celebration of excellence, leadership, achievement, and possibility. It provides our young ladies with an opportunity to be recognized, celebrated, and inspired while also allowing us to award scholarships that help them pursue higher education. The event has grown so significantly that we have already outgrown one venue and continue to expand each year. Seeing the joy on the faces of our girls and their families reminds me why this work matters.
At the end of the day, everything I do is rooted in faith, service, and a genuine love for people. I believe this is God’s work, and I am simply honored that He allows me to be a part of it. My greatest fulfillment comes from helping others realize their worth, walk in their purpose, and believe that their future can be brighter than their past.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is not measured by awards, titles, money, or even reaching a final destination. Success is having the courage to keep going when things don’t go as planned.
I believe success often comes after failure. It’s found in the moments when you fall, learn, get back up, and keep moving forward. There have been many times in my life when things didn’t happen the way I envisioned, but I refused to give up. Looking back, I realize that perseverance itself was success.
Even today, I am still defining what success looks like for my life and the organizations I lead. But I know this: showing up consistently, even when resources are limited, support is scarce, and the road is difficult—that is success. Continuing to dream big when the odds seem stacked against you is success. Remaining passionate about your purpose, even when you haven’t yet seen everything you hope for come to pass, is success.
For me, success is staying committed to the work God has called me to do. It’s continuing to serve, love, teach, mentor, and encourage others regardless of the challenges. It’s seeing one young girl gain confidence, one woman find hope, or one family experience a brighter future because of something we were able to do.
Success isn’t just arriving at a destination—it’s becoming the person God created you to be while you’re on the journey. If I can look back and know that I stayed faithful, remained consistent, and made a positive difference in the lives of others, then I consider that a successful life.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: BetterWomen
