Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Jordan is a seasoned hospitality professional and General Manager with Gastamo Group in Colorado, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Her career began in the back of the house, where she intentionally learned every aspect of restaurant operations before advancing through the ranks in a small mountain community. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, she transitioned to the city and continued expanding her leadership responsibilities. In her current role, Jordan oversees restaurant operations, including a pizzeria concept with a diverse menu that extends beyond pizza to offerings such as burgers. Her background also includes multi-unit management, where she was responsible for operational performance, customer satisfaction, financial management, cost-saving initiatives, and team development.
Jordan’s leadership journey has been shaped as much by personal growth as by professional experience. Although she left college after six months while pursuing a path toward law, she found that some of her most transformative education came through life experience, including choosing sobriety and completing a 12-step program, as well as becoming a graduate of Landmark Forum in 2020. These experiences helped her break down personal barriers, develop a deeper understanding of herself, and recognize the importance of being of service to others. As a result, she has embraced a servant-leadership philosophy centered on mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their potential. She is also active in her community, supporting women through sponsorship in the AA community and participating in her church, with a strong commitment to helping people who are facing challenges.
At the heart of Jordan’s approach are the values of integrity, heart, love, honesty, and trust. She believes effective leaders must bring their values to life through their actions, lead by example, and treat every team member with dignity and respect regardless of their position. She is particularly passionate about creating a safe and trusting workplace where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated to succeed. In an industry where employee retention can be challenging, particularly in Colorado’s competitive labor market, Jordan recognizes that strong relationships and a supportive culture are essential to building committed teams. Through her people-first approach, operational expertise, and dedication to servant leadership, she continues to make a meaningful impact on the teams and organizations she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to choosing sobriety and completing a 12-step program, which taught me the true value of who I am and the importance of being of service to others. Completing the Landmark Forum also helped me break down personal barriers and take a deeper look at my past, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. These experiences shifted my mindset from focusing primarily on myself to embracing servant leadership, where helping others grow, succeed, and reach their potential became a central part of my purpose. That commitment to serving others has ultimately strengthened my leadership and contributed significantly to my career growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career lessons are often learned through pain and challenging experiences. I have learned to be brave enough to step into uncomfortable situations because that is where meaningful growth and opportunity happen. I believe in becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable, because when everything feels too easy or too familiar, it may be a sign that it is time for a change. Embracing uncertainty, taking risks, and pushing beyond my comfort zone have helped me recognize opportunities that I might otherwise have missed and continue moving forward in my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to trust the value of their emotions and never allow anyone to convince them that their feelings do not matter. Emotional intelligence is a powerful asset, regardless of gender, and learning how to understand and manage emotions can strengthen both leadership and relationships. At the same time, success requires discipline, hard work, and a willingness to turn your goals into action. If you truly want something, be willing to put in the effort, stay committed, and give it your best, then take the time to appreciate and enjoy the accomplishment when you achieve it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is employee retention, particularly in Colorado, where high labor costs give employees more opportunities to move from one job to another. As a leader, I recognize that retaining a strong team requires more than simply offering a job. It means building trust, creating a safe environment where people feel heard and valued, and keeping employees motivated even when they are carrying multiple responsibilities. Developing that sense of trust and belonging is challenging, but it is essential to building a committed, successful team.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most in both my professional and personal life are integrity, heart, love, honesty, and trust. I believe in leading by example and putting those values into action rather than simply talking about them. I treat every person with the same level of respect and dignity, regardless of their position, whether they are a dishwasher or the CEO. I also believe it is important to recognize that a workplace is not necessarily a family, because that distinction matters when difficult decisions, such as letting someone go, have to be made. For me, strong leadership means building genuine trust, showing respect, and consistently treating people like people rather than simply employees.
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