Nicole Cober, Esq. is a powerhouse in the world of legal and business consulting. As the founder and managing partner of The CJR Group and the founder of The BOW Collective, Nicole has established herself as a leader who helps businesses navigate the complex landscape of growth, strategy, and legal compliance. Through her work with both organizations, Nicole empowers women and minority-owned businesses to scale, thrive, and gain visibility in industries where representation is often lacking. Nicole describes herself as “an immensely grateful SOUL who loves helping people be the CEO of their lives,” a mantra that reflects her passion for guiding others to “LIVE.ON.PURPOSE.” Her commitment to advocacy and leadership sets her apart as a dynamic force for equity in the business world.
About the Founder:
Nicole Cober Johnson’s deep understanding of entrepreneurship stems from her own journey as a business owner. From 2002 to 2010, Nicole owned and operated Soul Day Spa and Salon, a thriving business with two locations in the Washington D.C. metro area, employing 30 people and generating over $1,000,000 in annual revenue. During this time, she gained firsthand experience in managing the complex legal, financial, and operational aspects of running a company. Nicole was responsible for drafting contracts, negotiating property deals, developing franchising opportunities, and ensuring her business complied with both local and federal regulations. She also managed employee policies, handled payroll, and prepared business plans, all while navigating legal challenges such as copyright infringement and employment litigation. This experience laid a strong foundation for Nicole’s passion for helping other business owners navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Today, Nicole is the Principal Managing Partner of Cober Johnson and Romney (CJR), an award-winning multi-million dollar legal and business consulting firm. In this role, she combines her legal expertise with her entrepreneurial background to provide business clarity, protect brands, and empower small businesses to reach their full potential. Nicole’s work extends to helping other women grow their businesses, become leaders in their industries, and maintain a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives. She is also a mentor for SCORE and an instructor for the Emerging Leaders Initiative through the Small Business Administration.
Nicole is the founder of The BOW Collective, a powerful network of Black women business owners committed to promoting economic growth for Black women entrepreneurs. The BOW Collective aims to pool resources and influence to provide greater opportunities for minority-owned businesses, furthering Nicole’s mission to create lasting change for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
In addition to her business and legal consulting work, Nicole is an author, media influencer, and advocate for women’s empowerment and small business growth. Her book, CEO of My Soul, published in 2016, blends business advice with personal stories of relationships, family, and self-reflection, earning media praise from Essence, Fox 5, and DC Refined.
Nicole’s career includes serving as a litigation associate at Dickstein Shapiro, where she specialized in employment and antitrust law, and as senior law clerk for Chief Judge Annice Wagner of the DC Court of Appeals. Nicole holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and Howard University School of Law. Her combination of legal knowledge, business strategy, and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs makes her a trusted resource for women and minority business owners looking to build successful, lasting businesses.
Who Are the People:
Nicole’s clients and partners are ambitious business owners, particularly women and minority entrepreneurs, who are ready to scale their companies and need support navigating the complexities of business growth. They seek her expertise in legal compliance, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Many of Nicole’s clients are in industries where minority representation is limited, and they look to her for guidance in leveling the playing field and building businesses that are not only profitable but sustainable in the long run. Additionally, The BOW Collective serves as a network of influential Black women business owners who come together to pool their resources, knowledge, and influence to promote economic growth for Black women entrepreneurs.
Key Phrases & Signature Offerings:
- Phrases: “Strategic Business Growth,” “Legal Expertise,” “Empowering Entrepreneurs,” “Advocacy for Minority-Owned Businesses,” “Black Women in Business,” “LIVE.ON.PURPOSE.”
- Signature Offerings: Nicole’s services through The CJR Group include business consulting, legal strategy, media coaching, and advocacy for women and minority-owned businesses. Through The BOW Collective, Nicole focuses on creating economic opportunities and a robust support system for Black women entrepreneurs to help them access funding, mentorship, and business growth strategies.
The Differentiator:
Nicole Cober’s unique combination of legal expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and advocacy work is what sets her apart. Having run her own multimillion-dollar business, Nicole understands the intricacies of both the legal system and the day-to-day challenges of business ownership. This combination allows her to offer clients both strategic legal guidance and practical business solutions, bridging the gap between legal compliance and business growth.
Emotional Competitors:
Emotionally, Nicole competes with other consultants and legal professionals who form close, trusting relationships with their clients. Many boutique consultants and law firms position themselves as confidantes and supporters, offering deep emotional connections alongside professional services.
Philosophical Competitors:
Philosophically, Nicole’s competitors include businesses and individuals who position themselves as advocates for women and minority-owned businesses with a strong social justice mission. These competitors also emphasize equity, inclusion, and empowerment, aligning with similar values.
Functional Competitors (Audience Behaviors):
- Fear of Legal or Financial Risk: Business owners who avoid seeking legal help due to concerns about cost or complexity may face bigger problems down the line.
- Overconfidence in DIY Solutions: Entrepreneurs who try to handle legal matters on their own may miss critical details, leading to costly mistakes.
- Procrastination or Delayed Action: Delaying action or not prioritizing legal or strategic advice can create setbacks that undermine long-term business success.
Nicole’s personal experience as a minority woman entrepreneur gives her an empathetic and insightful perspective, enabling her to connect with her clients on a deeper level. Her work with The BOW Collective further emphasizes her commitment to supporting Black women entrepreneurs, creating a powerful network to drive change and economic success. Nicole’s personal mantra, “LIVE.ON.PURPOSE,” exemplifies her approach to helping others take control of their lives and businesses with intention.
How Does It Make Money:
Nicole’s firm, The CJR Group, generates revenue through a range of services, including legal consulting, business strategy, and media coaching. Her firm works with small and mid-sized businesses, helping them navigate the legal aspects of growth while providing strategic advice to help them scale. Nicole also provides media training and crisis management services, helping business owners protect their brands and maintain their reputations. Additionally, through The BOW Collective, Nicole brings together a network of business leaders to collaborate on economic opportunities and secure funding for Black women-owned businesses. The collective aims to foster growth and financial success for its members, creating a sustainable and profitable ecosystem.
Why I Love the Brand & What I See for the Future:
What I admire most about Nicole Cober’s brand is her commitment to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly women and minority business owners. Her work goes beyond providing legal or business advice—she’s an advocate for equity and inclusion in the business landscape. Nicole’s personal journey as a businesswoman who has navigated the challenges of both entrepreneurship and the legal world makes her uniquely equipped to offer holistic, empathetic guidance. Her combination of legal knowledge and business strategy makes her a one-of-a-kind resource for entrepreneurs who want to build lasting, successful businesses. Additionally, her leadership in The BOW Collective demonstrates her dedication to creating a broader impact for Black women entrepreneurs, building a community that thrives together.
Nicole Cober is well-positioned to continue expanding her impact, particularly as the need for legal expertise and business advocacy for minority entrepreneurs grows. As The CJR Group continues to build its reputation as a trusted resource for legal and business consulting, and The BOW Collective strengthens its influence, I see Nicole expanding her media presence and advocacy efforts even further, perhaps launching national programs or partnerships to support more women and minority-owned businesses. Her combination of legal expertise and passion for empowering entrepreneurs will continue to drive her success, positioning her as a leading advocate for business equity and growth.
Additionally, I’d love to see Nicole and The BOW Collective venture into the world of investment as a syndicate, potentially partnering with a business development organization to provide funding to startups or businesses ready to scale. While I have no doubt that these women are already involved in investment, a move into private equity or venture capital investment by a powerful group of Black women would send a clear message about the possibilities of economic power and who should be taken seriously in the business space. Such a move could help redefine who holds economic influence, furthering Nicole’s mission to advocate for equity and create lasting change for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
