Start With a Problem That Truly Matters to You: Interview with Nicole Haase, Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Prairie

I recently went one-on-one with Nicole Haase, co-founder and CEO of Modern Prairie.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Nicole:  I’ve always had a passion for storytelling, connection, and creating something meaningful for women, especially those navigating midlife. Modern Prairie was born out of that passion—to celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and creativity of women in an authentic way.

Like any entrepreneur, I’ve faced my share of challenges. The biggest lesson? Adaptability is key. Running a business is never a straight path—there are many moments of doubt, logistical roadblocks, and times when you wonder if you’re on the right track – it can be a lonely road. One of the toughest moments was navigating the early growth phase, where we had incredible enthusiasm from our community but needed to refine our operations, supply chain, and marketing to meet demand. But every challenge reinforced the importance of staying mission-driven, listening to our customers, and being willing to evolve.

Adam: How did you come up with your business idea? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with great ideas?

Nicole:  The idea for Modern Prairie came from a realization that women over 50 are often overlooked in the marketplace. There’s an entire generation of women craving meaningful connections, quality products, and a space where they feel seen, valued, and celebrated—and I wanted to create that space. It’s all about community, connection, and support.

For others looking to come up with great business ideas, my best advice is to start with a problem that truly matters to you. Ask yourself: What frustrates you? What’s missing? What do people keep asking for? The best ideas aren’t forced; they come from paying attention, listening, and identifying a real need.

Adam: How did you know your business idea was worth pursuing? What advice do you have on how to best test a business idea?

Nicole: I knew Modern Prairie was worth pursuing when I saw the genuine emotional response from women who felt like we were finally speaking to them. When you create something and people say, "I've been waiting for this," you know you’re onto something.

For testing an idea, start small. Talk to potential customers, launch a pilot version, and observe their reactions. Are people excited? Are they coming back for more? You don’t need to build the perfect version from day one—just something strong enough to get real feedback and prove demand.

Adam: What are the key steps you have taken to grow your business? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?

Nicole: Growth has come from a mix of strong storytelling, deep community engagement, and strategic partnerships. From the start, we focused on:

Authenticity – Staying true to our mission and values.

Collaboration – Partnering with artisans, creators, and like-minded brands.

Listening to Our Customers – Our audience tells us what they want; we just need to listen. Feedback is a gift that helps us grow.

Smart Scaling – Expanding our product line thoughtfully, ensuring quality and sustainability.

For anyone looking to take their business to the next level, my advice is: Know your audience better than anyone else. Find ways to deeply connect, build trust, and create experiences that keep them coming back.

Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?

Nicole: Tell a compelling story. People don’t just buy products—they buy the meaning behind them.

Engage, don’t just sell. Social media isn’t just a storefront, it’s a conversation.

Leverage your community. Word of mouth and organic advocacy are powerful. If your customers love what you do, they’ll do the marketing for you.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Nicole: The best leaders are empathetic, adaptable, and mission-driven. They don’t have all the answers, but they surround themselves with people who challenge and inspire them.

To elevate your leadership skills:

Listen more than you speak. Your team and customers will tell you everything you need to know.

Stay curious. Keep learning, evolving, and being open to new ideas.

Lead by example. The way you show up every day sets the tone for your business and team.

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Nicole: I believe in hiring people who are smarter than you—but who share your values.

The best leaders don’t need to be the smartest person in the room; in fact, they shouldn’t be. The real magic happens when you bring together a team of brilliant, diverse minds who challenge, inspire, and complement each other.

Individually, we all have strengths, but collectively, we can be unstoppable. A great team isn’t built on ego—it’s built on trust, shared purpose, and a willingness to learn from one another. When you create that kind of environment, the results will always exceed what any one person could achieve alone.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Nicole: For me, it starts with knowing your "why." If you don’t believe in what you’re building, no one else will.

Be resilient. There will be setbacks, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn.

Put people first. Whether it's customers, employees, or partners—relationships drive success.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Nicole: One of my favorite quotes is from Andrew Carnegie - "Don’t be afraid to pick up the broom." 

This advice has always resonated with me because no task is ever too small when you’re building something meaningful. Whether you're leading a company, running a team, or starting from scratch, the willingness to roll up your sleeves, do the work, and lead by example sets the foundation for success. True leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about showing up, taking responsibility, and being willing to do whatever it takes to move forward.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Nicole: Just a reminder that it’s never too late to create something meaningful – I started Modern Prairie in my late 40’s. Whether you’re starting a business, switching careers, or simply trying something new—there’s always room to grow, evolve, and make an impact.

And most importantly—enjoy the journey.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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