The Z List: Nicole Tan polishes her own gems and revels in a new journey

From participating in a pageant to opening a business, she never gives up. Meet The Z List 2024, content creator and entrepreneur, Nicole Tan.

Walk into any room and Nicole Tan brings a flourishing wave of brightness with her. Also known as Nicaboo, the content creator has always allowed her infectious personality to shine — as evident during the day of the shoot.

One grey and cloudy day in May, Nicole enters the studio radiating with positivity and energy. With her upbeat persona and ready-to-go attitude, the influencer-slash-entrepreneur joins us on set for The Z List Class of 2024. But this isn’t my first time meeting Nicole. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with her on a project back in 2023 where we flew to Sabah. Even then, she constantly lets kindness lead the way.

“I hope people know me as a caring and loving person. Life is hard enough so I want to be kind-hearted to everyone. Be someone that can make others smile — being remembered as someone who’s cheerful and happy brings me ultimate joy,” she expresses.

At only 23, Nicole has definitely come a long way. So far, she has done everything from participating in Miss Asia Pageant 2023 (winning the Audience Choice Award), working with brands she loves and being a child therapist. This year, she embarked on a whole new journey — launching Tresor Monde.H, her very own jewellery house.

During the shoot, we sit together to talk about her experience in content creation and running a business, how she embodies strength and more.

Start of something special

With 135K followers on Instagram and 239.1K followers on TikTok, it goes without saying that Nicole’s content resonates with her audience. From mini peeks into her daily life to her style game, Nicole credits the connection to genuineness.

“I think being real is the main key. People love connecting to you like a friend so they can engage more with your content,” asserts Nicole. Whether she’s showing her vacation experiences, her favourite fashion pieces or her skincare tips, she enjoys “sharing things that she loves”.

When she’s not creating content, Nicole, who graduated with a degree in psychology, also fulfils her role as a child therapist. “I teach children with ADHD and autism. It requires a lot of patience and passion — and I enjoy seeing their improvements”, she conveys. The twinkle in her eyes and the wide grin allude to the joy she possesses being a child therapist.

But, that’s exactly who she is. She wants to use her voice as a platform and that’s one way of doing so. However, there’s no place for complacency in Nicole’s books. She shares with me about the high expectations she has for herself.

“I think there’s never enough. Sometimes when brands I love approach me, I think that’s when I feel like I actually made it. There’s so much more to learn and discover. So, I need to continue to produce amazing content,” she expounds.

It seems like it’s also because of that drive that so many can relate to her content, Gen Zs or not — the strive and determination to do better, to succeed. With authenticity at the core, Nicole resonates with her audience easily while chasing her goals and dreams. Ascertaining her true potential — pursuing a Master’s degree or starting her own company — Nicole believes that making the first move isn’t always the easiest. She offers a piece of advice: “As long as you know you’re trying your best, that’s more than enough.”

In her business owner era

Anchored by that exact philosophy, Nicole established Tresor Monde.H (named after the French phrase for “treasure world”) in March 2024. Offering everything from diamonds and gemstones to pearl and jade, the jewellery brand holds a special place in the young personality’s heart.

“Since I was young, I’ve always played with jewellery and I picked that up from my mum,” reveals Nicole, attributing her love for jewellery to her mother — who she says also influenced her interest in fashion. “My mum is my role model and she’s who I want to be,” she adds.

In addition to launching the brand, Tresor Monde.H’s first ever brick-and-mortar was unveiled at Menara Shaftsbury in Putrajaya. “We want every piece to be unique. I believe that jewellery isn’t just a simple decoration. It really brings out your characteristics and who you really are”, she brings both hands to her chest.

With her own jewellery brand, Nicole wants the customers wearing her jewellery to feel confident. Take the “on the go” series for example. Enhanced by sleek and sophisticated designs, the pieces include the likes of the Initial Necklace, Diamond Bracelet, Akoya Pearl Necklace and Garnet Earrings among others. Those looking for one-of-a-kind custom designs can also find them at Tresor Monde.H.

To many on the outside, however, being the owner of a brand might seem glamorous and glitzy. Truth is, there’s so much that goes on behind the scenes. Something Nicole herself can attest to.

“Running a brand is hard,” she exhales heavily. “It’s a lot harder than I thought. Especially when it comes to marketing and branding. There’s so much for me to learn.”

Almost reminiscing the tough times, Nicole quickly finds back her composure and explains that the challenges don’t faze her. She’s prepared for whatever comes her way, adding: “I’m stepping out of my comfort zone to really make this work”.

Although the brand is fresh and new, Nicole already has a plethora of ideas in mind. In the next five years, she hopes to be able to expand internationally and open more outlets in Malaysia and beyond.

No feat too big

Even at such a young age, Nicole is proof that courage and hard work are integral to success — that it’s only possible if you actually make the effort.

Embodying this year’s theme, “Strength”, Nicole acknowledges how crucial being persistent is. “Strength to me is the determination to overcome all your challenges and showing who you really are,” she expresses. 

Take things positively, she says. Slowly but surely, things will fall into place — pointing at both managing a company or the social media platforms. “Don’t ever think you’re too small or too weak because every individual is different. Just use your power to change the world,” she tells me, lighting my own personal bulb to be brave in my endeavours.

Occupied with so much on her plate, she still aims to be happy and live life to the fullest. That includes finding time to travel the world and to go on another diving adventure.

“I’ve already gotten my PADI license and I’m planning to take another. My next goal is to go to Sabah!”, she shares with excitement.

It’s clear from our short but enlightening conversation that Nicole is massively deserving of everything she’s garnered so far. And even after what was a serious tête-à-tête, she remains as bubbly and cheerful.

interview RONN TAN | editor-in-chief & creative direction MARTIN TEO | assisted by MALLIE MARAN & PUTERI YASMIN SURAYA | stylist ISAAC CHONG | stylist assistant ZIYIN | photography EDMUND LEE (ONE3FOUR STUDIO) | videography POR JIA JUN | assisted by STANLEY LOH | makeup SHIYO JOO | hair JUNO KO | wardrobe in HERMÈS, MIU MIU, DOLCE & GABBANA

In its fourth year, The Z List 2024 continues to celebrate the inspirational and aspirational, as well as the most dynamic youths who find strength in empowering their communities through the work that they do. Working together, the Gen-Zers come in full force to make an impact strength on strength.