2020
BEYA Modern Day Technology Leader Awardee
Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference
The story behind the work
Built From Experience. Designed for What’s Next.
The Slay Way Agency was created at the intersection of strategy, technology, entrepreneurship, and execution.
We help people and organizations move from ideas to meaningful action—because building something great requires clarity, systems, creativity, and the ability to make things happen.
Nicole Slay Caldwell
Founder & Lead Strategist
Our Story
A good idea is only the beginning.
The Slay Way Agency was built from years of asking one question: How do we take a good idea and actually make it work?
Across business, technology, entrepreneurship, and community work, Nicole has helped give ideas structure, align people, and move strategy into execution. The agency brings those experiences together to help entrepreneurs and organizations build more intentionally.
“You don't have to build everything at once. You just have to build the right thing next.”
Meet the founder
Nicole Slay Caldwell
Nicole is a business and technology strategist, entrepreneur, facilitator, program builder, and innovation-minded leader. She makes innovation practical, approachable, and useful. Her professional foundation includes work in a Fortune 500 enterprise environment and leadership of large-scale programs and initiatives — the perspective of someone who knows how organizations actually move from decision to delivery. The Slay Way Agency is a boutique innovation and technology consulting and implementation firm: small by design, so the work stays close to the people doing it.
Bachelor's, Management Information Systems
Master of Business Administration
French minor with international study in Tours, France
Certifications & continued learning
Certified Business Architect · SAFe Certified Agilist
Cornell certificates in project management and leading teams for business impact
Experience at the intersection of
01Business strategy
02Technology, AI & emerging technology
03Organizational transformation
04Entrepreneurship
05Program development
06Facilitation
07Community impact
08Leadership
09Professional development
10Experience design & execution
11Mindfulness
12Morale & engagement
Business meets technology
Innovation should feel useful—and accessible.
With a foundation in Management Information Systems and experience across technology, strategy, transformation, and program development, Nicole helps people translate AI, automation, digital tools, and emerging technology into practical business use.
Nicole approaches innovation strategically—starting with the audience, the opportunity, and the practical value a tool can create.
Innovation works better when more people feel like they belong in the room.
Recognition & service
Leadership recognized through impact.
Nicole's technology leadership and community service have been recognized nationally. Her service with The NETwork — where she has served as Chief Program Officer and Chapter President — has been recognized with multiple awards, alongside her personal recognition below.
2022
Dream in Black Future Maker
AT&T
2023
U.S. President’s Award for Community Service
Recognizing 100 hours of community service
2024
ROSE Award
The NETwork ATL · Awarded for her service as Chapter President of a chapter of more than 1,200 members
2026
Power of One Award
The NETwork National · Presented on behalf of more than 6,000 members
Entrepreneurship before the agency
The lessons came from building, not just advising.
01
Building a Beauty Business
Nicole previously built and operated a beauty and hair business, gaining firsthand experience in sourcing, vendor relationships, marketing, customer experience, operations, and entrepreneurship.
She traveled internationally for business, attended major business and trade fairs, and visited a supplier directly—practical experience that continues to shape how she evaluates ideas and operations.
02
Creating The Beauty Invite
Nicole co-founded The Beauty Invite with TheKBeat, creating an intimate beauty experience with premier sponsors including SheaMoisture and Thank God It's Natural (TGIN).
It gave entrepreneurs a platform to sell products and experiences while demonstrating the power of the right idea, partners, and thoughtful execution.
From idea to impact
The 2023 & 2024 eSTEAM Fairs
Through The NETwork, Nicole helped elevate and scale the established eSTEAM Fair, hosting the 2023 and 2024 fairs at Atlantic Station. She helped lead the planning, strategy, and team execution as participation grew from about 80 to 400 attendees in one year.
Nicole helped secure a city proclamation for The NETwork's flagship program, recognizing the initiative's community impact. The proclamation was awarded to the organization.
“I've built. I've launched. I've learned. I've led. I've worked at the intersection of business and technology. Now I'm bringing those experiences together to help others build more intentionally.”
Nicole Slay Caldwell · Founder
Why The Slay Way
How experience shapes the work.
Strategy Before Activity
Understand the problem before creating more work.
Business Meets Technology
Use innovation, AI, and technology where they create real value.
Curated, Not Cookie-Cutter
The right solution depends on the person, organization, and goal.
Ideas Into Execution
Give strong ideas the structure, people, and momentum to move.
Ready to Build What's Next?
Whether you're building a business, designing a program, exploring technology, or turning an idea into something real, we'll help you determine the right next move.