Marriage mixed with business is exciting when you get to share it with the one you love. Meet the next POWER COUPLE to emerge. Together this dynamic duo travel, cook, and dance on-camera, while also making appearances in various productions. They also host The Nikkie B Show and inspire others. Every time The Bendrosses are seen on the screen or step into a room they command our attention.
Eric and Nikkie began corresponding via social media during the latter part of 2014 as friends. Mr. Bendross was living in California, enjoying moderate success as an actor but going through a complicated breakup. He played several principal roles in various Investigation Discovery TV shows during this time. Meanwhile, back in their hometown of Miami- Dade County Florida, Nikkie finalized her divorce and found herself being a single mother of two amazing sons: Winston and Xavier. Eric then returned to Miami in December and the pair began dating in February of 2015. Eric would propose in May on Mother’s Day and by November of that same year they were married. He also proudly stepped into the role of dad to Winston and Xavier, declaring them his own.
Moreover, it did not take long for Eric to discover Nikkie’s gifts and hidden talents. They started their own company: Nikkie’s Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle, LLC. Thus, they began building a strong presence as a couple on and offline in their community to encourage others spiritually and emotionally. Eric also began managing Nikkie’s newfound career as a passionate inspirational speaker; CPD-certified life coach; plus size model; gluten-free Chef du Jour; vlogger/blogger; internet radio personality and beauty consultant. Nikkie would also go on to finish a degree at Georgia State University.
Since overcoming many of her own life challenges, Mrs. Bendross has become an advocate for domestic violence survivors, children, and traditional family values. Both husband and wife have made it their mission to help others reach their highest potential through their powerful messages of self-worth building, body positivity, marital fortification, and optimum health and well-being advocacy.
The Bendrosses have made appearances on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s Checked Inn and The Mel Robbins Show. As a plus size model/ social media influencer, Nikkie has worked with such brands as Benefit Cosmetics and CWP Apparel. She has also been featured in LifeLock, Sharecare, and KetoCycle promos as well as SHOUTOUT MIAMI and Voyage MIA Magazines. Mrs. Bendross has also appeared on ABC’s Match Game; FOX’s You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno; TV Tokyo’s Diet Japan; CBS’s The Doctors and TV One’s ATL Homicide.
Furthermore, Eric began to see the need for the couple to expand by producing their own professional-grade content. He would return to school, earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Cinematography from Full Sail University, and foster a budding career as a director, writer, and independent producer. Eric quickly excelled, garnering a Gold Telly Award among many others for his short film: ‘Love Conquers’, an emotionally riveting story of a young man contemplating coming out to his super religious mother and which also stars none other than wife Nikkie Bendross and son Xavier D. Elliton. Mr. Bendross earned accolades for his dynamic, My Skin Is Not a Sin docu-short as well; it is a piece that endeavors to be a racial healing conversation starter which also features Nikkie, Winston, and Xavier.
With no limits to their creativity, Eric & Nikkie have taken full advantage of social media by reaching new audiences through TikTok and Facebook. They post engaging and even sometimes comical content that ranges from dance routines, motivational reels, inspirational orations, life coaching, plus-size fashion modeling, and more!
Eric and Nikkie Bendross teach people how to love themselves right where they are. Therefore, they have become a shining beacon of hope and light in this sometimes dark world with thousands of followers around the globe. But if you think they have accomplished a lot already, hold on tight because these two are just getting started.
What has helped you maintain success in business as a couple?
Complete transparency and quickly recognizing each other’s strengths and talents then harnessing them for creative business purposes [which allowed us to formulate and begin implementing this clear new vision]. We also had to evolve and learn to pivot swiftly. All of these things helped us to succeed in business as a couple.
What upcoming projects are you both working on together?
While we will continue to live stream The Nikkie B Show and SLAY Or Nay?! LIVE with Nikkie B! via Facebook Watch and TikTok as well as release even more inspirational, life coaching, plus size modeling, and dance (solo & couples) reels/videos via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. And during the first quarter of 2023, we also plan to start production on our next short film, tentatively titled “Leave”, which addresses the viscerality of domestic violence particularly as it pertains to this one Black American couple. “Leave” will be directed by Eric Bendross and independently produced by both Eric & Nikkie Bendross. And it will not be a documentary, but a narrative film.
How do you define Love?
Limitless, selfless, and without boundaries. Our Creator is Love.
How can Black Couples create more healthy levels of communication?
Black Couples can create healthier levels of communication by first establishing that neither one is the other’s enemy, full stop. Be honest. Then make a strong effort to have an open dialogue with your partner that is judgment-free as you both employ empathy while also maintaining a reasonable expectation of accountability. Make sure to laugh, joke, and prioritize fun even while working together. And if you have children (of which we have two adult sons now: Winston and Xavier), you should make sure that the lines of communication are open and fluid with them as well. We stress this because not only are you doing it out of love, but it should also be noted that if there is any dysfunction or challenges left unchecked with your children, this will most definitely impact your marriage.
Check out the Full Interview with Eric & Nikkie Bendross in our JAN|FEB Black Love Issue!
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