Influential Woman · Veterinary Medicine and Dog Breeding
Nicole Nash
Owner, P FUNK YORKIES BY NIKKI
Las Vegas, NV 89139
Her Story
About Nicole
I started my business 17 years ago, and it will be 18 years in November. I actually got into this field kind of by accident - I was in a relationship a long time ago, and he had got some dogs, and he didn't want to run the business, so I, of course, as women we usually do, picked up the slack. I ended up falling in love with it and going to school and all of that good stuff. I breed Yorkies, and I went and got my vet tech certification. Not only do I breed, I teach classes - I do CPR classes, artificial inseminations. I do a lot of the inseminations and whelping and saving lives of people's puppies. I started out with pit bulls, but I ended up changing to Yorkies. I currently have 13 Yorkies that are all mine. I specialize in purebred Yorkies and provide DNA tests as well. My proudest moments are saving the lives of the little doggies that I have, or even adult dogs - those are definitely my proudest moments, and also my most stressful moments, but they're beautiful and very sweet at the end.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, faith, and my “why”—my family (my kids and my parents). There were times I was struggling and had every reason to quit, but I made a decision to turn things around no matter what obstacles were in front of me. My children are a huge part of that drive. I wanted them to be proud of me, but more importantly, I wanted to show them that it’s okay to take risks, believe in yourself, and build something of your own.
Breeding didn’t just become a business for me—it became proof that I could defy the odds stacked against me. I stayed consistent, kept learning, and pushed forward even when things weren’t easy. That determination, combined with my passion for what I do, is what turned my situation into success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to bet on myself—even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. There’s always going to be doubt, risk, and people who don’t fully understand your vision, but if you don’t believe in what you’re building, no one else will.
That advice stuck with me, especially when I decided to turn breeding into a business. It reminded me that growth doesn’t come from playing it safe. I also learned that consistency matters more than perfection—you don’t have to have everything figured out, you just have to keep showing up and improving
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up. There is going to be a billion and one times that you're going to want to. Probably almost every day. I still have some days that I would want to give up, but don't give up. You're going to want to, but don't. Don't give up. It's going to be worth it in the end, no matter what business you decide to go into.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is dealing with misinformation and unethical behavior—scammers and people who spread false narratives to damage others’ reputations. In a space like breeding, where trust is everything, that kind of negativity can impact both businesses and the well-being of the animals if people are misled.
At the same time, that challenge creates the biggest opportunity: education. There’s a major gap in knowledge when it comes to responsible breeding, proper care, and what ethical practices really look like. By being transparent, sharing real information, and leading by example, I have the chance to not only grow my business but also help raise the standard in the industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, accountability, and consistency. I believe in doing things the right way, even when no one is watching. In breeding, that means being honest, ethical, and always putting the well-being of my dogs first.
Accountability is big for me too—I stand on what I say and take responsibility for my decisions. That’s how you build real trust and a solid reputation.
And consistency is what ties it all together. Success doesn’t come from one good moment, it comes from showing up every day, putting in the work, and staying committed even when it’s hard.
At the end of the day, everything I do is also guided by my role as a mother. I want my kids to see what discipline, strength, and integrity look like in real life.
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