Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Nicole Riggins of South West Atlanta

Nicole Riggins shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Nicole, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For years, I’ve carried a silent calling. A vision so immense, it was daunting to even speak aloud. It was the fear of its sheer scale, the doubt that one person could ever build something so necessary, so transformative. But today, I’m no longer afraid. I am being called to build Peach Tree Haven, Inc., and I am answering that call.

This isn’t just about constructing buildings; it’s about building a community, a sanctuary, a place of dignity and joy for individuals with disabilities. For me, this is deeply personal. I’ve watched my own family navigate the complex, often heartbreaking landscape of caregiving and advocacy. The late-night phone calls, the search for accessible housing, the desperate need for a place of respite—these aren’t abstract concepts to me. They are my lived experience.

Atlanta, for all its progressive spirit, still has a massive gap in resources for the disability community. We lack truly inclusive spaces where adults with disabilities can live, grow, and thrive alongside their peers. We are missing a place where a caregiver can recharge without guilt, knowing their loved one is not just safe, but genuinely happy and engaged. That is the void Peach Tree Haven is here to fill.

What we are building is a multi-faceted haven. It starts with Housing, creating a safe and supportive community. But it expands far beyond that. Imagine an Indoor Amusement Park and an Indoor Water Park—fully accessible, not as an afterthought, but by design. These are places where joy is not a luxury; it’s a right.

We are also creating a comprehensive Resource Hub, offering everything from vocational rehabilitation to Continuing Behavioral Intervention (CBI) training. Our goal is to empower adults with disabilities with the skills and confidence to find meaningful Employment, breaking down barriers that have kept them on the sidelines for too long. Crucially, we are providing vital Respite for Caregivers, a space where those who give so much can finally take a breath and renew their spirits.

This isn’t just a project; it’s a promise. A promise to our families, to our community, and to the countless individuals who deserve a life of purpose, independence, and happiness. We’re building Peach Tree Haven to change the narrative for good.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
If you’ve heard my name, it might have been in the world of real estate, helping families find their perfect home. Or perhaps it was as a mother, navigating the beautiful complexities of raising a family of four. But today, I am speaking to you in my capacity as a visionary and a passionate advocate for a cause that is deeply personal and long overdue in our community. I am Nicole Riggins, and I’m on a mission to bring a concept to life that will redefine what it means for individuals with disabilities to have a place of their own.

This journey began with a question I asked myself as a mother: What does a truly successful future look like for all of my children, including those with cognitive disabilities? I envisioned a place where they could find joy and purpose through meaningful employment, and where they could be truly successful on their own terms. This was the spark that ignited Peach Tree Haven, Inc.

My journey is not a straight line from one career to the next; it’s a tapestry woven with a desire to serve, to build, and to create spaces where everyone belongs. As a mother, I’ve learned that true love and support mean providing not just for a child’s needs, but for their dreams. As a realtor, I’ve seen firsthand the power of a home to shape a life. And as a visionary, I’ve recognized that this mission, born from my own family’s needs, is so much bigger than just me. It’s a profound need in Atlanta that I am now dedicating my life to fulfilling.

My story is the story of Peach Tree Haven, Inc. It’s an ambitious project, yes, but it’s one born from necessity, driven by heart, and built on a foundation of unwavering belief. I invite you to join me on this journey as we build a haven—a place where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can find joy, purpose, and a true sense of belonging.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that a woman’s place was in a supporting role. I was born in 1978, at a time when the world was changing, but the echoes of a different era were still very present. It was only a few years earlier, in 1974, that women in the United States gained the full legal right to have their own bank accounts and secure mortgages. And it wasn’t until 1988 that women gained the legal right to obtain their own business loans without a male co-signer. Women business owners and leaders were simply not something my parents grew up seeing, so I don’t blame them or those who played a hand in raising me. I was raised to see women as the quiet strength behind a successful man, the one who made sure the home was perfect and the children were well-cared for, but not the one making the big decisions or leading from the front. I saw them as essential, but always in the background, never in the spotlight.

The reality is that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

Life has taught me that the strongest and most impactful women are the ones who step into their own power and lead. Being a mother of four, a successful realtor, and now the visionary behind Peach Tree Haven, I have learned that my voice, my ideas, and my leadership are not only valuable but necessary. It took stepping into this role for myself to realize that I wasn’t just capable of it—I was built for it. I am not a quiet presence; I am a force of nature driven by a mission that is bigger than any one person.

I now believe that a woman can be both the nurturing heart of her family and the powerful mind that builds a community. My journey has shown me that there is immense strength in being the boss, in leading with compassion, and in creating something from nothing. It is a powerful and liberating truth that I hope to show to my children and every woman who looks to me as an example.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
That’s a powerful question, and the answer isn’t a single moment but a gradual, deliberate shift. For a long time, my pain came from pouring so much of myself into romantic relationships—the kind of dedication and support I would give freely—only to find it wasn’t reciprocated. It led to a profound feeling of being worthless, of not being enough to be someone’s priority. I felt like I was constantly asking, “Why am I not being put first?”

One day, I just stopped asking.

I realized that my worth was not tied to someone else’s actions. I used that pain to ignite a quiet, internal revolution. Even in romantic relationships, I quietly note when things aren’t reciprocated. Instead of confronting, I just note the behavior. This way, when I decide to end a relationship, I never have to feel guilty about doing so. I won’t feel guilted into coming back or helping them with a project or a business once I’m gone. The benefits of me are only available while being with me. Once I am gone, so are the benefits.

I now see all relationships like a business. There has to be a return on the investment of time. It isn’t monetary, but it’s about enhancing the quality of life. If we aren’t both enhancing the quality of each other’s lives, we can’t be in each other’s lives. I simply shift my focus to self-reliance. My time and energy are now invested in putting God first and operating at my full potential, using the gifts He’s placed in me.

I now believe a truth that is both freeing and demanding: I am only entitled to what I can provide for myself. This understanding helped me create strong boundaries in my life because, in truth, I am a natural giver. The pain I once hid has become the foundation of my power.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth that very few people agree with me on is that time is more valuable than money alone. Most people live their lives in pursuit of a paycheck, believing that more money will bring them more freedom. And while money is important, it’s a renewable resource. You can always make more. Time, however, is not. Every single moment that passes is gone forever. It’s a non-renewable resource, and it’s the most precious thing you own.

Because of this, I believe that time should never be wasted. The time we have should be used to build something meaningful, to pour into people and projects that matter. Now, I do my best to only do things or invest my time in people, places, or things where I can see a return on my investment of time. When I am considering a new partnership, a new relationship, or a new project, I don’t just ask if there’s a financial gain. I ask, “Is this a valuable investment of my time? Is the return on this time investment enhancing the quality of my life and the lives of those around me?”

It’s an uncomfortable truth for many because it forces you to look at your daily choices with brutal honesty. It’s easy to fill your schedule with things that feel productive but aren’t purposeful. For me, that mindset has been the key to building Peach Tree Haven. It is a mission that demands a significant investment of my time, but I know that every minute is building something that will last, something that will improve the lives of countless families in Atlanta. That is a return on investment that money alone could never buy.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
That’s a question that gets right to the heart of what drives me. At this point in my life, the simple answer is yes. I can give everything my best, even if no one ever praises me for it. And the reason is, quite frankly, I’ve stopped caring what people think of me.

It took a long time to get here, but I realized something crucial: no matter what I do—or don’t do—someone will always have something negative to say. The opinions of others used to take up so much of my mental and emotional space, but I no longer have the bandwidth for it. My priorities are in a very specific order. First, God’s pleasure. Second, walking boldly in my purpose. Third, protecting my peace. And fourth, creating a financially stable legacy for my children.

Anyone or anything that is not a participant in achieving those four goals simply doesn’t get my emotional energy. I can’t afford to care about their opinions. My focus is on doing the work and building something that matters. That inner satisfaction and alignment with my purpose is more rewarding than any praise I could ever receive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.peachtreehaveninc.com
• Instagram: nicoleriggins_realtor

Image Credits
B. Candid Photography
Donald Burrell – Lead Photographer