#PeopleofNEI: Nicholas, serving with a smile at Proximo

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Northeast Indiana is evolving. These are the people shaping its future. #PeopleofNEI

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Nicholas is from southern Indiana and moved to northeast Indiana to attend Huntington University. After graduating, he stayed here for his boyfriend and has found success in his career at Proximo where it’s not uncommon to find him in makeup with a big smile. “Northeast Indiana has given me the life I never would have had if I had stayed home or moved back. I love working at Proximo and am being promoted to bartender. This place honors hard work. Because I wear makeup, I get a lot of head turns and stares each day. It takes confidence to live my life. I am not doing any of this for attention. If anything, I don’t want the attention. I’m a normal person. It’s a way to express myself. It’s not to hide imperfections but to enhance the beauty of how I feel that day. Today, I was feeling a soft glam look that is elegant and powerful. It’s therapeutic. I like being able to express myself in a way that no one can take away. Makeup has given me a healing experience. The support of my boyfriend allowing me to be myself really sparked this. When I was hiding who I was, it was my own little hell. I was never free and never felt happy. I decided that being happy within myself is more important than pleasing everyone else. I was institutionalized over a year ago because of coming out and dealing with the pressure. It was hard, confusing, and anxiety-provoking. I considered suicide because I was lost and thought it was my only option, but now I am so happy in my life. I love my job and I want to stay here. What I love about this company is that they care about the guest experience and you can’t have that without a knowledgeable sever. They want us to grow and care. Everyone is honest and loving. It’s a safe place and great working environment. My manager has my back and expects tables to respect me no matter how I look. I love that downtown Fort Wayne is blooming. I love all the art murals that are happening. There is more culture and activity. When I first moved here I thought it was boring but now I love it here. I’m so passionate about it. I’m just trying to be the best me I can be and northeast Indiana has given me that opportunity.” #PeopleofNEI

A post shared by Input Fort Wayne (@inputfortwayne) on Feb 25, 2019 at 9:46pm PST

#PeopleofNEI: Nicholas, serving with a smile at Proximo

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