Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Fella.
Hi Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
People are often surprised to learn that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to become a contractor. My background actually started in design. I earned my degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and I’ve spent the last 25 years helping people create spaces they love. I’ve always believed that great design should be both beautiful and functional, but over the years I realized that having a vision is only half the battle—you also have to know how to bring it to life.
That realization led me to earn my NASCLA General Contractor’s license, something that isn’t very common for an interior designer. It gave me the ability to bridge the gap between design and construction, allowing me to guide clients through every aspect of a renovation instead of handing them off once the plans were complete.
I joined The Bath Remodeling Center more than a decade ago as a Project Manager, where I spent years learning every part of the business, from design and estimating to project management and client relationships. In April 2024, I had the opportunity to purchase the company from its previous owner. It was both exciting and incredibly intimidating. Overnight, I went from managing projects to carrying the responsibility of an entire business, its employees, and the families who depend on it.
Since taking ownership, we’ve expanded beyond bathrooms into kitchens and custom spaces, rebranded the company, grown our reputation, and have been honored with multiple industry awards, including being named Raleigh’s Best Kitchen & Bath Remodeler and Best Remodeler, earning back-to-back Maggy Awards, and being featured in Architectural Digest. Those recognitions are incredibly meaningful, but what I’m most proud of is the trust our clients place in us every day.
Being a business owner has been one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. Every challenge has taught me something new, and every completed project reminds me why I love what I do. At the heart of it all, I’m still the same designer who enjoys sitting down with homeowners, listening to their stories, and helping them create spaces that make everyday life better. That’s what continues to inspire me every single day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that every milestone comes with a new challenge.
Purchasing an established business was exciting, but it also meant stepping into an entirely new level of responsibility. Suddenly, every decision—from hiring and managing a team to navigating economic shifts, supply chain issues, and cash flow—rested on my shoulders. There are no days off when you’re a business owner, and there have certainly been moments where I’ve questioned whether I was doing enough or making the right decisions.
One of the biggest lessons has been learning that leadership isn’t just about knowing how to remodel a kitchen or bathroom. It’s about building a culture, earning your team’s trust, making difficult decisions, and continuing to move forward even when things don’t go as planned. Some of the hardest moments have ultimately become the experiences that helped me grow the most.
As a woman in an industry that is still largely male-dominated, I’ve also had to work hard to establish credibility. Fortunately, I’ve found that expertise, consistency, and treating people with honesty and respect speak louder than any stereotype ever could.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey. Every challenge has made me a better leader, a better business owner, and ultimately a better advocate for my clients. Those experiences have reinforced what I believe is most important: showing up, doing the right thing, and never losing sight of the people who trust us with their home
As you know, we’re big fans of THE BATH REMODELING CENTER, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Bath Remodeling Center is a design-build remodeling company based in Cary, serving homeowners throughout the Triangle. While we started as a bathroom remodeling company, we’ve grown to offer kitchens and custom closets, all while staying true to what has always been our mission: creating beautiful, functional spaces while making the remodeling experience as stress-free as possible.
What truly sets us apart is that our clients work directly with me throughout the entire process. Because I’m both an Interior Designer and a Licensed General Contractor, I can guide them from the initial design concepts all the way through construction without anything getting lost in translation. I think that’s incredibly valuable because great remodeling isn’t just about selecting beautiful finishes—it’s about understanding how a home is built, anticipating challenges before they become problems, and making sure every design decision works both aesthetically and structurally.
We’re also a true design-build company. We have a showroom where clients can make all of their selections in one place, and our full-time installation team completes all of the work rather than relying on a revolving door of subcontractors. That allows us to maintain a high level of quality, communication, and accountability from start to finish.
At the end of the day, we’re not just remodeling bathrooms and kitchens—we’re helping people improve the way they live in their homes. These are the spaces families begin and end each day, gather together, and make memories. It’s a privilege to be trusted with that responsibility, and we never take it for granted.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is making a meaningful impact. Whether it’s through the homes we transform, the team I’m leading, or the relationships we build with our clients, I want what we do to genuinely make someone’s life better.
Home remodeling is about so much more than new cabinets or beautiful tile. A home is where families gather, where children grow up, where holidays are celebrated, and where people find comfort at the end of a long day. Knowing that we’re trusted to improve those spaces is something I never take lightly.
That same mindset carries over into how I lead my team. I want to create an environment where people feel respected, challenged, and proud of the work they do. When our employees grow, our company grows, and ultimately our clients have a better experience.
I’ve also learned that success isn’t about chasing awards or recognition. Those are wonderful milestones, but they’re really the result of consistently doing the right thing, paying attention to the details, and treating people with honesty and respect. If we can leave every client feeling like they made the right decision by choosing us, that’s what matters most to me.
At the end of the day, I hope the legacy I build isn’t just a successful remodeling company—it’s a business known for its integrity, its craftsmanship, and the way it made people feel long after the project was complete.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebathremodelingcenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bathremodelingcenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bathremodelingcenter
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-fella-656388213/
