Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Cooper serves as Director of Franchise Sales at Techy, a company specializing in electronics repair and franchise development, a role she has held since 2020. In this capacity, she manages customer relationship management systems, conducts lead outreach across multiple franchise brands, supports the launch team with new-store openings, coordinates training for new franchise owners, and oversees the complete sales lifecycle from initial contact through closing. With more than 15 years of experience in sales, specialty retail, and operations, Cooper brings a strong combination of business development expertise, relationship-building skills, and operational knowledge to her work.
Before joining Techy, Cooper spent approximately a decade in the fashion and specialty retail industry, managing million-dollar-plus stores across Florida. Her earlier career included leadership roles with Lucky Brand, Sunglass Hut, and EXPRESS, where she developed a strong foundation in sales, clienteling, recruiting, and team development. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design with a minor in Business from Georgia Southern University, where she was an honors graduate and completed an undergraduate thesis in fashion research. She is also a commissioned notary public.
Cooper attributes her natural sales ability and entrepreneurial mindset in part to her father, who spent more than 40 years in real estate and was a member of the Million Dollar Club in Savannah, Georgia. She approaches sales with persistence and follows the philosophy of continuing to pursue an opportunity until receiving a clear “no,” a lesson she learned early in her career at EXPRESS. That mindset contributed to closing a 40-location franchise deal after 24 months of consistent outreach. At Techy, she has collaborated with franchise broker networks including IFPG, BAI, and SBA while contributing to the company’s continued expansion. Techy has also received recognition in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, including a No. 312 overall ranking and a No. 1 ranking in the technology category.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my natural ability to connect with people and build relationships, as well as the sales skills I developed early in my career. I believe sales is in my blood, inspired by my father, who spent more than 40 years in real estate and was a member of the Million Dollar Club in Savannah, Georgia. I have always been outgoing and comfortable engaging with people, and sales came naturally to me from my very first position at Express. Over time, I have combined those natural strengths with persistence, relationship-building, and a genuine commitment to helping clients find the right solutions.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received was from a colleague at Express, who told me, “Go until they say no.” I have carried that philosophy throughout my career in sales and business development because persistence can make the difference between a missed opportunity and a successful outcome. I believe in following up, building relationships, and staying committed even when the process takes time. In one instance, I worked with a client for 24 months before ultimately closing a 40-location deal, which reinforced for me the importance of patience, persistence, and never giving up too soon.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to be persistent, confident, and intentional about building strong professional relationships. Follow up consistently, learn from rejection, and remember that a delayed response does not necessarily mean an opportunity is lost. I also believe it is important to recognize that the skills you develop in one industry can create opportunities in another, so never underestimate the value of your experience. Focus on strengthening your communication and business skills, building a strong professional network, and staying clear about your long-term goals while remaining open to new opportunities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see significant opportunities in the technology repair and franchise industry, particularly in e-waste recycling, device buyback programs, technology protection memberships, and expanded retail partnerships. At the same time, the industry can be volatile, with demand influenced by consumer behavior, repair needs, and the operating requirements of shop-in-shop locations. Success requires flexibility, strategic partnerships, strong lead management, and the ability to build relationships throughout longer sales cycles. I am excited about opportunities to expand our retail presence, diversify revenue streams through programs such as Techie Green and Techie Safe, and continue building a stronger presence in the market.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are loyalty, growth, achievement, and building meaningful relationships. I believe sustainable success comes from earning and maintaining the trust of clients, franchise partners, and colleagues while consistently following through on my commitments. I am motivated by measurable progress and financial success, but I also place a strong emphasis on persistence, professional credibility, and continuous improvement. I take a long-term approach to both my career and personal life, always looking for ways to grow, create new opportunities, and strengthen the relationships that contribute to lasting success.
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