Those with purpose

deserve to be heard.

I help ‘small but mighty’ change-makers and brands clarify their message, amplify their voice, and take bold steps toward big goals.

  • "Nikki helped me not only tap back into my personal why [as a creator], but tap back into my own voice as well."

    Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott, CEO of Stamey Street Consulting and host of Race in the Workplace podcast

  • "What sets her apart is how deeply immersed, connected, and passionate she is about our work."

    MaryBeth Hyland, Chief Visionary of SparkVision, Keynote speaker, and best-selling author of Permission to Be Human

  • "Nikki won't mince words or tiptoe around tough topics, and she'll nudge you, your brand, and your content away from the "scatter-shot" and toward the "intentional."

    Matt Mason, Copywriting + Communications Consultant and Keynote Speaker

  • "Navigating the complex world of digital presence and effective communication is crucial, and Nikki has proven to be an invaluable asset in this journey."

    Emilie Schario, CEO & Founder of Turbine (recently acquired by Settle)

Brand advisory and creative services for lean, busy brands

You’re a purpose-driven, multi-passionate individual or organization on a mission to create meaningful change. You believe your work and POV has the potential to make a profound impact in the world. And you’re looking for a brand bestie.

Where you’re feeling the pain right now…

  • Clarity Gap: You’re not sure how to turn your big-picture ideas into clear, concise, and impactful messaging or branding everywhere you are.

  • Brand Fragmentation: Your visual identity, messaging, and touchpoints feel disjointed, outdated, or misaligned with your current mission and audience.

  • Content Overwhelm: You’re either spinning your content wheels wondering what to post, or you have too much content in complete disarray.

  • Inconsistency: Lack of cohesion in how you show up online, in presentations, or in person, leading to missed opportunities for credibility.

  • Execution Roadblocks: You are deeply skilled in your craft but don’t have the expertise or bandwidth to create marketing materials or branded content that matches your vision.

What you really want is…

  • To feel confident and aligned with your brand and messaging.

  • To clearly articulate your purpose and POV, so you can attract the right audience and opportunities—and for those opportunities to arrive!

  • To continue building a brand that positions you as credible, trustworthy, and memorable—one that grows your circle of influence.

  • To elevate your content strategy, design, and messaging to match your current and future professional or organizational goals.

  • To start laying the buzz-worthy groundwork for future success on stage, on page, on air—and everywhere else you’re looking to go.

What you’re looking for in a guide…

  • Alignment with Your Mission: You want a collaborator who “gets” you, your industry, and your goals, and shares your passion for making an impact.

  • Simplicity & Clarity: You value someone who can take your complex ideas and simplify them into a cohesive, memorable brand and strategy.

  • Empowerment: You’re seeking someone who can empower you to step into your brand identity and voice with confidence.

  • Creativity + Strategy: You appreciate a balance of real talk, bold creative ideas, and practical, results-driven frameworks and strategies.

  • Long-Term Vision: You look for partners who can help you create a foundation and partnership that evolves as you grow.

Tools to support your change-making journey

This digital, downloadable workbook helps the brand that's needing clarity, a refresh, or overhaul understand where their brand is today, and where it's headed. Toss out what your brand used to be/started as, and let’s fill in the blanks for where it’s going. $47

Brand Clarity Workbook

A digital, downloadable, reusable photography planner for intentional humans who want to connect the dots between their own written and visual content – and want to tell the REAL story behind their personal and professional brands. $47

Brand Photography Planner

“A beautiful entry point to the world of change-making and personal accountability.” Get on the waitlist for Nikki’s debut book: “The Watchdog Way: How Everyday People Can Take Small Steps to Create Big Change in a World Gone Sideways” – releasing early 2026

The Watchdog Way

Over the years, I’ve learned that the most impactful brands don’t just sell – they serve. Whether you’re a one-person powerhouse, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, or an organization with a bold vision, my mission is to help you connect your values with your voice to create authentic, impactful content that moves people to action.

With 25+ years of experience in media, content creation, and storytelling, I’ve had the privilege of:

✅ Launching 15 lifestyle magazines and working for one of the nation’s top newspapers
✅ Changing Virginia state law with my content-driven advocacy
✅ Building businesses, campaigns, and workshops that inspire action on stages, pages, airwaves, and online

But my work isn’t just about strategy – it’s about clarity, consistency, and impact. I help brands declutter their messaging, refine their positioning, and develop content and creative assets that align with their unique purpose.

Meet Nikki

Nikki’s hard-hitting message has been featured in and on…

Nikki James Zellner featured on Pantsuit Politics podcast with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers
Nikki James Zellner featured on Military.com
Nikki James Zellner featured in Stars & Stripes newspaper
Nikki James Zellner featured in We Are The Mighty digital magazine

Thoughtful offerings for purpose-driven teams, SMBs and non-profits

Brand Advisory Packages

You’re an established brand looking for accountability, advice, and direction in content, visuals, audience messaging, and targeting. I am a proven partner for fundamentals, messaging, visuals, and strategy.

Creative Services

Content that captures attention and tells your story doesn’t happen by accident. From writing to marketing assets to visual planning, I help brands create on-point, on-brand content that connects and converts.

Workshops & Trainings

Whether your team needs brand training or you're gearing up for a big event, I’ll help everyone stay on-brand and on track. From brand storytelling workshops to event prep, let’s make your team’s efforts look effortless.

For personal and professional solo brands and passion-driven change-makers

Power Hour: Your Next Step In Focus

Do you have a big idea, a bold mission, or a story that the world needs to see or hear, but you’re not sure of the ‘right next step’ to make it happen? Let’s map out how to make your brand, mission, and message shine!

This is your no-fluff, all-action, 60-minute session to:

✨ Review your current online and offline presence and visual assets

✨ Position yourself as the go-to voice in your space

✨ Craft a clear, compelling roadmap for your brand, idea, or mission

✨ Get a pep talk that’ll have you ready to take the spotlight

Whether you’re an author, speaker, personal brand, or community change-maker, I’ll help you turn your idea or challenge into forward progress for your mission!

Nikki empowers audiences on stages and screens. Is yours next?

Core Values

  • EMPOWERMENT

    Helping others take bold steps.

  • LEARNING

    Growth through shared knowledge.

  • CONNECTION

    Building meaningful relationships.

  • HONESTY

    Truth and transparency come first.

  • CURIOSITY

    Exploring new ideas with purpose.

  • CREATIVITY

    Expressing ideas in unique ways.