‘Tampa lost a legend’: Friends and family honor entrepreneur, mother Whitney Nicole

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Friends and family of a beloved Tampa businesswoman gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the life of Whitney Nicole on Monday.

Close friends said Nicole’s legacy in the area was partially built on her willingness to help others.

Dozens of family members and friends lit candles during the vigil to be closer to Nicole, who was a light in their lives.

“That was my heart, my everything. Every time y’all seen her, y’all seen me, y’all seen us,” one of Nicole’s three sons said.

Her 14, 16, and 21-year-old sons were surrounded by love.

“She was absolutely an amazing mother, she lived for those boys,” Tareva Woodard, a friend and business partner of Nicole’s, said.

They remember her as a driven and passionate businesswoman who put others before herself.

“She helped women make over seven figures and never charged any of them for that because the impact was how many women can we actually help,” Jose Vega, a business partner and friend said. “It wasn’t more like I’m trying to make a dollar or how can this benefit me. It was more like how can I guide you to find success and a lot of women were drawn to that.”

They describe a big sister, a life coach, and a woman who wanted to see others win. She created the “Whitney Nicole Experience,” where she gathered black entrepreneurs in Tampa, and helped with their business strategy.

“She would be able to take your idea and bring it to life. If you had a business, any type of business idea, she could bring it to life,” Woodard said.

Her life meant so much to others. They said she had a magnetic presence and a wealth of knowledge.

“She gave you that internal fortitude needed to keep pushing, keep going, and to never give up and that you can achieve your dream, and anything is possible,” Donishia Jackson-Grant, a friend and business partner said. “She motivated, she pushed. Her words were unbelievably powerful. They resonate within you and they make you think, what would Whitney do? What would Whitney say?”

Vega said her mission was never going to be finished because Nicole wanted to help as many women as possible.

To learn more about Nicole’s work and how to donate to her sons, visit this site.

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