One of Us: Nicole Cashman

Illustration by Andy Friedman

My name is … Nicole Amelia Cashman. Actually, Nicole Amelia Cashman Richards. I almost forgot I was married!

I grew up in … East Oak Lane, Jenkintown and Elkins Park.

These days, I live in … Wyndmoor. I just moved here from Northern Liberties. Now that I have a three-year-old son, it seemed like the right thing to do.

My first job was … scooping ice cream at Hillary’s in Margate. Then I worked at the Gap all through high school and college at Drexel.

I met my husband at … the Princeton in Avalon. I always knew who he was — he’s DJ Nigel Richards — but we had never actually met. My parents met at the Princeton, too.

I employ … 20 people. All women. That’s not by design. Men are welcome to apply. We would love some men!

I buy most of my clothes at … Neiman Marcus. I don’t know why I feel the need to apologize for that.

My clients include … Starr Restaurants, Center City District, Liberty Property Trust, Bernie Robbins Jewelers and a lot more.

My secret talent is that I can … remember anything. I have a photographic memory.

The last big concert I went to was … U2’s 2017 Joshua Tree Tour, but this month I’m taking the whole office to see Beyoncé and Jay-Z. My first big concert was Amnesty International at JFK Stadium in 1988.

I recently read … Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg. Finally, someone who understood what I had been thinking and was able to articulate it.

One person I hope will run for president in 2020 is … Joe Biden.

I like to collect … salt and pepper shakers. My husband thinks it’s totally strange.

My secret junk food obsession is … a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s.

The farthest I’ve been from Philadelphia is … Australia, for my 30th birthday. Eek! That was 15 years ago!

One historical person I really admire is … Joan of Arc. And Coco Chanel.

My most prized material possession is … my engagement ring. And my Birkin bag.

I am deathly afraid of … flying and heights. Sometimes I have to go up in those external lifts with clients who are constructing buildings. When it’s windy and rattling, it’s horrifying.

I like to vacation in … Newport, Rhode Island. We have a vacation home there. And we go to St. Barts almost every winter.

A TV show I cannot miss is … anything on Bravo. Total escapism. Some people meditate. I watch Bravo.

If you’re pouring me a drink, make it … a glass of good French champagne.

People might be surprised to know that I … have been a Screen Actors Guild member since I was eight. I used to do commercials — I did one for Hostess cupcakes — and I’ve had small parts in movies, like Clean and Sober with Michael Keaton. These days, I mostly do segments on local news.

If you really want to make me mad, you will … lie or be lazy or lack common sense. I have a lot of stuff around my office that says things like, “I can deal with a lot, but I can’t deal with stupid” and “If you were smarter, I’d be nicer.” People don’t know how to address an envelope. Can you believe that?

If I could switch places with one person for a day … I wouldn’t do it. I really like my life. I think I’m pretty lucky.

Published as “One of Us: Nicole Cashman” in the July 2018 issue of Philadelphia magazine.