Stories of Women Who Refused to Quit:Nicole Yunez, Founder of Nicole Clarece
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Nicole Yunez, Founder of Nicole Clarece
My small business was born from a vision I carried in my heart for more than a decade—a vision to create versatile, functional, and beautiful dresses for women who live life on the move. The kind of women who juggle careers, families, sports, and friendships, and need clothing that can keep up. But like many dreams, the road to making it real was anything but straightforward.
I first had the idea when my oldest son, now 11, was just an infant. At the time, my circumstances were overwhelming. I left an abusive marriage with no savings, maxed-out credit cards, and nowhere to go but my parents’ home, where my son and I shared a room. Every paycheck went toward legal fees and his education. Starting a business then was impossible. What I could do, however, was focus on surviving, rebuilding, and refusing to let go of my vision.
It took years of therapy, discipline, and hard work to regain my footing. I eventually remarried, built financial stability, and earned my MBA without taking on debt. But even that wasn’t easy. I started the program in 2020, balancing classes with a full-time job. Along the way, I had a baby in 2021, started a new role in 2022, welcomed another baby in 2023, and was recruited to lead a global program in 2024. More than once, I considered quitting my MBA. I was losing sleep, stretched too thin, and worried my health would falter—I’ve lived with well-controlled epilepsy for years and feared a breakthrough seizure. But I didn’t quit. With time management, determination, and an incredible support system, I persisted and finished my degree.
That persistence runs through everything I do. Three years ago, when my son asked me to join him in taekwondo during a special summer promotion at his dojang, I agreed—thinking it would be just for fun. By fall, I expected to stop. But I stayed, even when classes were tough, or when I wondered if I should try something else. Today, I’m preparing to test for my certified first-degree black belt. That journey has taught me that discipline, consistency, and perseverance lead to growth—even when the path isn’t glamorous.
Those lessons are woven into my business. Nicole Clarece dresses are designed for the women who, like me, balance competing priorities but refuse to quit. They’re chic enough for the office, functional enough for the court or course, and comfortable enough for playground duty or date night. Made from certified recycled activewear fabric with four-way stretch, UV protection, and moisture-wicking tech, they move with women wherever the day takes them.
Integrity is central to my work. Each dress is made in the USA with REPREVE® fabric—derived from 13 post-consumer plastic bottles—reducing emissions, water use, and energy consumption.
Every purchase plants a tree, and customers can track the impact in the Nicole Clarece forest. For me, it’s not just about creating clothing; it’s about building a brand rooted in values and responsibility.
I could have quit on this dream many times. But I didn’t. I kept moving forward because I believe women deserve clothing that works as hard as they do, and because I want to show that success can be built on resilience and integrity. This business is more than dresses—it’s a reminder that no matter how long it takes, you can rise, rebuild, and create something beautiful.
Connect With Nicole
414-550.3253
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @nicoleclarece
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