Nicole àBeckett is the Co-Founder of SameSide, a platform making grassroots political action accessible through music, art, food and culture so passionate people have their voices heard in politics.
Having countless friends say, “I wanted to do more but I didn’t know how,” Nicole, along with her brother and Co-Founder, David Legacki, knew there had be a more exciting way to get others involved in and passionate about political issues affecting them and their communities. They started by rallying 10 people to phone bank during Sara Hernandez’s campaign for Congress in Los Angeles in Spring 2017. Since then, they have empowered people to lead tens of thousands of grassroots political actions such as phone banking, postcard writing and canvassing for issues like protecting Obamacare, women’s pay equality, LGBTQ+ rights, defending DACA and criminal justice reform.
Name: Nicole àBeckett
Website: onsameside.com
Facebook: @onSameSide
Instagram: @onsameside
Twitter: @OnSameSide
1. What are three words that best describe you?
Empathetic, risk-taker, informed.
2. Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less.
Not much scares me about life. The world is meant to be lived in so I’m trying every day to do as much as I can.
3. What are your three biggest indulgences?
Anything on Bravo, beautiful wines, hours at Target.
Restaurant: Meizhou DongPo in Century City – I know it sounds crazy but it’s the only place in America that I’ve found my favorite Mapo Tofu like I used to eat in Shanghai when I lived there. It’s the best tofu consistency and spice level – HOT! I crave it all the time.
Food: Coming off my pregnancy, I’m indulging in raw fish – sushi, ceviche, nicoise, poke.
Cocktail: Casamigos Anjeo Tequila on ice
Shopping destination/store: Vinovore Wine shop in Silver Lake. Coly. The owner, stocks only female winemakers or vineyard owners. The best activism we can do is wield our wallets and support more women leaders in an industry that we as women give A LOT of money to.
Fashion item: I’m really into Nike high-tops at the moment. My favorite is a pair of white, Air Force One fly-knits.
Place to hangout: Equinox… when I can.
City: LA all day every day. I’ve lived all over the world and nothing compares in diversity, food, art, music, weather, shopping… buuuuut if I’m traveling I can never get enough of Rome.
Travel item: A babysitter – we always travel with our kids so researching babysitters ahead of time to allow for stress-free adult time while on vacation is crucial.
Beauty product: NARS Orgasm blush… it’s just the best pop of color year round.
Skincare product: I’m always in search of the newest and latest product but the one that’s been consistent with me for 15 years now is Perfumeria Gal Fragranced Balm in Violet.
Hostess gift: Wine – always a great bottle of wine.
Book: Simon Sinek’s Start with Why – it has been so powerful in helping us communicate why we’re doing what we’re doing with SameSide.
Website: The Google Analytics page for our site – I can’t get enough of the data.
Magazine: New York Magazine. They always have such great profiles of interesting people and of course great NY fashion.
5. What’s the ONE thing you absolutely can’t live without?
News. I am an information junkie. Whether it’s through NPR, Cable, online or the old-fashioned newspaper (yes, I get the LA Times delivered daily), I have to know what’s going on everywhere all the time.
6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people check their phones while you’re talking to them. Unless you’re checking in on a babysitter, its really rude and just says to me “my email is more important than whatever it is you’re talking about”.
7. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be, and WHY?
Hillary. You know which one. I just want to give her a huge hug and tell her how much of an impact she has had on me as a fearless, tireless woman who wasn’t afraid to grab her spot in history by working harder and playing the game better than any man around her.
8. What does it mean to you to have a strong, engaging brand and how has having one helped you?
I believe that we all are influencers in this world – whether we have 3.3M instagram followers or 300 – there’s always someone paying attention to what you say and do and may be inspired. With SameSide, our mission is to empower people to take a stand in a meaningful way for the issues they care about by taking part in grassroots political action. Politics can be really intimidating and inaccessible but it shouldn’t be that way!
For this country to really work for everyone, everyone has to find their way to be part of the process. So we see our job as providing new ways to make politics fun and accessible and when your circle of influence – no matter how large or small – sees you taking a stand, others will be inspired too. If we didn’t work tirelessly to build a brand that is strong and engendered trust we wouldn’t be able to inspire our guests to take a stand and keep that inspiration spreading.
![Nicole àBeckett](https://shebrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Nicole_aBeckett_quote-crop.png")
9. What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
I’m proud of the path I’ve taken to get where I am today so I’d say – do what you’re gonna do girl. Just have a little more confidence and do it even better.
10. What is one piece of advice you would give to women today about staying true to themselves and succeeding on their own terms?
When I make a decision, I make a decision and go after it – without looking back. We each come to our decisions for a reason and the best thing we can do is honor our own process and trust ourselves. Someone else will always have different advice or ideas but they’re not living in our process… oh and always make sure you have an amazing bottle of Cab Sav to go along with you.
1. Kindle
Nicole wouldn’t leave for a deserted island without hers — would you?
$79.99, amazon.com
2. Perfumeria Gal Fragranced Balm in Violet
This lip balm has been a consistent favorite of Nicole’s for 15 years ????
$10.48, amazon.com
3. Vinovore Wine
Wine and goods with a focus on female winemakers — plus they have something for every palette. ????❤️
$45 for 2-3 bottles/mo — $75 for 4-5 bottles/mo, vino-vore.com
4. New York Magazine
NYMag’s newest issue talks women and power – how they get it, how they lose it, how they wield it, what they sacrifice for it, and, ultimately, what they hope power will help them achieve.
$6/12 digital issues or $12/12 digital and print issues (+ a tote), nymag.com
5. Dermalogica SPF 50 Dynamic Skin Recovery Face Lotion
One of Nicole’s must-have items? This collagen-boosting SPF face lotion.
$25 Travel Size, ulta.com
6. Caeden Linea N°10 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
For listening to NPR and ALWAYS knowing what’s going on in the world. ????
$68.90 – $141.13, amazon.com
7. Casamigos Añejo Tequila (On Ice)
Casamigos aimed to create a tequila so smooth it doesn’t need to be covered up with salt or lime. You be the judge. ????
$55, casamigostequila.com
8. Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyeknits
Lightweight, breathable, icon status shoes.
$180.00 (Special Price $82.75!), theparentpanel.com
9. NARS Blush in Orgasm
NARS blush is coveted by many, and their orgasm shade is infamous. Here’s your sign to try. ????
$30, nordstrom.com
10. Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why
Become more inspired at work, and in turn inspire your colleagues and customers by starting with why.
$0 – $17.14, amazon.com
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