Meet the 'Dubai diva' who went from model to building a business empire

Dubai: As Nicole Rodrigues, CEO of the Dubai-based Diva Group of Companies — which spans a modelling agency, real estate firm, and accounting services — lounges in the ocean-facing living room of her multimillion-dirham Palm Jumeirah mansion, she reflects on her relationship with money.

“Treat money like how you treat your wife,” she says with a knowing smile.

Watch the full video interview with the 'Queen of the Palm' here:

For a video tour inside Nicole's incredible 10-bedroom home, click on the link below.

“The energy of money is similar. The more you chase her, the further away she runs. So you have to let her be. Check in on her though — do audits and accounts. It’s like buying the occasional clothes or gifts for your wife. Similarly, keeping track of finances is important. And that’s how you flourish,” she adds.

It might sound simplistic — even cheeky — but Nicole who's a Harvard School alumnus and a former model is clearly onto something.

The self-proclaimed “Queen of the Palm” — yes, she also dabbles in ultra-luxury real estate on the very island she calls home — didn’t stumble into her first million. She earned it.

Her 25,000-square-foot, ten-bedroom mansion is living, breathing proof of that staggering success.

"To be very honest, I never really imagined I would be living this life. I just stayed focused — focused on working hard and ensuring that I was giving myself into serving others. And that was it," says Nicole. Twice divorced, she's a parent to two children who are now in college.

But how did it all begin? Nicole began her entrepreneurial journey in the UAE more than two decades ago, hoping to professionalise model-scouting in the region. Diva Modelling Agency was born.

"I wanted to create a platform that would create opportunities for talents in the region. That’s how it all started."

Nicole’s first million wasn’t made overnight — it was the result of relentless drive, purpose-led hustle, and a desire to build something from scratch. She started small, launching her modelling agency with just a clutch of crucial contacts and big ambitions.

“I just wanted to pour all my energy into that, because that's what I wanted. I wanted it with all my heart, soul, mind, body — the whole nine yards — so that I could create a safe space for young girls and women. I wanted them to get in to a safe media space and claim it,” she says.

As her agency began to grow, so did her understanding of the business landscape in Dubai. She expanded into real estate, then into finance, always reinvesting and scaling up — quietly and methodically. And somewhere along the way, that first million landed in her account.

“I’m very clear that your finances are the heart of your business — or your life, for that matter — and you must treat them well,” she says.

“Do your projections, track your expenses, set goals, understand investments… But I don’t think that was my focus. That was just something that needed to be done for the journey. And I think the money just comes. Money is just the award."

When asked about her early days in Dubai, Nicole is characteristically candid.

"I actually didn’t come from Bombay — I was in Bahrain before that, and then in Copenhagen, Denmark. I relocated here with my ex-husband 22 years ago. Initially, I wasn’t a big fan." But that sentiment didn’t last.

“Over time, I realised — Dubai is me, and I am Dubai. She’s vibrant, she’s alive, she’s constantly growing, constantly changing, constantly evolving. She’s generous, she’s kind, she’s just epic.”

And so is Nicole’s success story — one of purpose, persistence, and a hard-earned first million.