#20 Podcast Anniversary Special: Behind the Scenes, Stories, and Laughs with Nicole & Fingers

In this special anniversary episode, Nicole Alicea celebrates one year of the Create Brand NV Podcast by pulling back the curtain and introducing the voice behind the scenes—producer David “Fingers” Bell.

Together, they reflect on nearly 20 years of friendship, their early days in radio, and how this podcast came to life—from idea to execution. Along the way, they share behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and a few laughs you won’t hear in a typical episode.

Nicole also opens up about the realities of balancing business, life, and a passion project, while sharing insights on what it takes to stay consistent—even when things don’t go as planned.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or just discovering the show, this episode offers a more personal look at the journey behind the podcast—and what’s ahead.

Produced by David “Fingers” Bell and hosted by Nicole Valentin Alicea.

Here are some other episodes you might like

#36 Harnessing AI in Marketing: Insights and Strategies

Nicole Alicea, President and CEO of Brand NV, an integrated digital marketing, branding and advertising agency, discusses the integration of AI in marketing, emphasizing its benefits and limitations. She shares insights on how AI can enhance marketing strategies while highlighting the importance of human creativity and expertise. The discussion also covers the significance of understanding customer experience and aligning marketing promises with actual service delivery. Nicole encourages businesses to leverage AI effectively by developing a solid marketing strategy that reflects their brand’s unique value proposition. Takeaways: AI has permeated every aspect of marketing. You can’t rely solely on AI without expertise. AI can hallucinate and produce inaccurate information. Human creativity is irreplaceable in marketing. Understanding customer experience is crucial for marketing success. Marketing promises must align with actual customer experiences. Regularly updating marketing strategies is essential. AI can assist in creating marketing content but needs guidance. A solid marketing strategy helps leverage AI

Read More »

#8 From News Anchor to Entrepreneur: How Pilar Ortiz Reinvented Herself After Losing Everything

In this episode, Nicole Alicea sits down with Pilar Ortiz, a former Univision news anchor and news director who spent over 11 years building a successful media career—only to lose it overnight during the 2009 economic downturn. Faced with uncertainty, fear, and a complete identity shift, Pilar had to start from scratch—learning how to sell, package her services, and build confidence as an entrepreneur. Today, she is an international speaker, coach, and author, helping professionals and business owners master communication, mindset, and personal branding. In this episode we cover: • Losing your career overnight • How to transition from employee to entrepreneur • Shifting from “doing” to “being” • Pilar’s 3C framework • Why “imperfect action” is the key to growth • How to overcome fear and confidently sell your services This is a powerful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and building a life aligned with who you truly are. Connect with Pilar Ortiz:

Read More »