Meet Nicole Welch

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Welch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
One thing I’ve learned is that there’s a difference between something being challenging and something that may no longer being aligned.

Working in production taught me that almost everything worth building comes with stress, long hours, uncertainty, and moments where you question yourself. If I gave up every time something got difficult, I never would’ve excelled in my career.

There are moments with my business where I still feel overwhelmed trying to understand taxes, structure, funding, branding, and how to turn years of experience into something sustainable for myself. I’ve had moments where I wanted to shut everything down and start over completely. But I’ve realized that sometimes you don’t need to quit, you just need to pause, regroup, learn something new, and rebuild.

I believe the answer isn’t giving up, it’s pivoting. If something consistently pulls you away from your peace or goals it may be time to reassess the approach, not necessarily abandon the dream. If the vision still excites you, even on the hard days, that’s usually a sign to keep going.

Many times, persistence looks loud and confident. Other times it looks like resting, reassessing, asking questions, and trying again tomorrow.

I’m learning that success isn’t about never doubting yourself, it’s about continuing anyway.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Sighs From Production Management (SFPM), was born out of years of working behind the scenes in television and live production, and realizing how much production managers truly hold everything together.
After more than a decade working across unscripted television, documentaries, live sports, and studio productions, I realized I wasn’t just passionate about production; I genuinely loved solving problems, creating systems, supporting crews, and helping productions run smoothly. SFPM became a way for me to turn those years of experience into something that reflects me, my vision, and eventually the kind of legacy I want to build.

What sets me apart is that I understand production from the inside out. I’ve done the long hours, overnight shoots, last-minute pivots, impossible schedules, budgeting challenges, travel logistics, and “figure it out in real time” moments that come with this industry. More importantly, I don’t just understand the technical side of production management; I understand the people side, too. I know how important it is for crews to feel supported, prepared, and valued.

Right now, SFPM is evolving into more than just production management services. I’m building toward rentals, educational content, community resources, mentorship, and eventually creating spaces and opportunities for people trying to break into the industry. I want my brand to represent support, creativity, problem-solving, and authenticity.

Getting here definitely wasn’t easy. Freelancing comes with uncertainty, and entrepreneurship comes with a lot of trial and error. There have been moments where I felt overwhelmed trying to learn the business side of things and how to build something sustainable while still actively working in production. Imposter syndrome has shown up more times than I can count.

But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth requires you to stop shrinking yourself. I’ve spent years helping bring other people’s visions to life, and now I’m learning to fully believe in my own.

More than anything, I want people to know that my story and my brand are rooted in resilience, adaptability, and community. SFPM isn’t just about production; it’s about relieving the “sighs” that come with trying to make things happen. Whether that’s on set, in business, or in life, I want people to feel supported when they interact with me and my brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a lover of live music, so I’m definitely recommending some of my favorite concert venues around Los Angeles, places like The Novo and The Forum. Music is such a huge part of how I experience the city, and I love spaces where you can fully immerse yourself in the energy of a performance.

I’m also really into interactive and immersive experiences. One of my favorite experiences are the shows at CineVita. It feels intimate, creative, and transporting all at once; the kind of experience where you forget about the outside world for a while and enjoy being present.

Food-wise, I love spots like Akuma Ramen & Sushi, Alta, and JOEY DTLA for the vibes. And I can’t leave out one of our newest black-owned spots, The Linden, which has great food and an awesome bar attached to it called Dot.LA, that makes the night feel even more special.

I’d also balance out the city energy with nature. We’d probably take a drive out for a scenic hike with a waterfall, then end the day sitting by the ocean in Malibu watching the sunset. To me, that’s one of the best parts about LA, you can go from the middle of the city to complete peace within an hour.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without my support system, my family, friends, partner, and peers in the industry.

People play such a huge role in building confidence and helping us push through moments of doubt. Without the support, encouragement, and opportunities from the people around me, I don’t know if I’d be where I am today.

My village has had my back from idea conception to execution. Whether it’s listening to me brainstorm, reminding me of who I am when imposter syndrome kicks in, or encouraging me to take chances on myself, their belief in me has meant everything.

I also have to shout out the peers and mentors I’ve met throughout production. This industry can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly collaborative. So much of what I’ve learned came from simply being around talented people who were willing to share knowledge, give guidance, or trust me with responsibility.

None of us get where we are alone, and I’m grateful for every person who has poured into me along the way.

Website: https://www.sighsfromproductionmanagement.com

Instagram: @sighsfromproductionmanagement || @nicciroo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemwelch/