This couple really is the complete definition of what it means to be a Power Couple. Today they are running a very successful business together. Mario is an Emmy Award winning TV host, and known as the Digital Lifestyle Expert™ offering his digital expertise to TODAY Show, CNN, HLN and Fuse. He is also regularly seen on Inside Edition, Dr. Oz, Katie Couric and Steve Harvey. Together they created Mario Armstrong Media, LLC, which is run by Nicole as the CEO.
What people may not know are the struggles they had to face, and the rock bottom they had to hit long before they experienced the success they are living in today. This inspirational couple spends their time between Baltimore, MD and New York with their eleven-year-old son.
Nicole: So Mario started off by telling me that this was going to be quick because he’s wonderful, he wears the pants in the relationship and he does everything for the relationship. He was saying all that as I was throwing a shoe across the room to hit him on the head.
[all laugh]
BMWK: Is that all you were going to throw? [laughs] We always love to hear about your love story and how you met?
Mario: We met in college at UMBC. I’m a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and we were doing a Kappa ski trip. and I remember trying to recruit her and her three roommates. Her three roommates were excited, but apparently, this one right here wasn’t trying to go. She was more of a bookworm and not really trying to hang out.
Somehow she ended up on this trip and I just remember she had this pretty little ankle bracelet on…in February. We’re in a hotel and she’s got on shoes with heels, showing her toes with this ankle bracelet. I’m like, who is this woman? Something hot walked into the space and I have no idea who this woman is, what she’s about, and why she’s showing off her toes in February. So that began a discussion which didn’t get very far.
[all laugh]
The discussion was short and sweet, a “nice to meet you too” type of thing and that was it. It wasn’t until we got back from the trip that I basically begged her for her phone number.
Nicole: Yeah I had no interest in him…[laughs]
Mario: Wait, you didn’t give me your number. You took my number and your girlfriends had to convince you to call me.
Nicole: Right. But you were wearing the pants from back then right? [laughs]. So the whole joke is that I am from the Virgin Islands and I had just gotten back from St. Thomas so I was still in open toe shoe mentality. Everyone was walking around in their boots and there I was clicking around in my little heels.
[all laugh]
BMWK: Did you go skiing at all?
Nicole: No, I watched [laughs]. It was actually my first time being on that type of trip. I didn’t even know what a ski trip was. So it was all a learning experience for me. But I was totally unattracted to him… completely, and utterly unattracted to him [laughs].
Mario: Okay, I think we got it the first time.
[All laugh]
Mario Armstrong says
We are so honored to be featured! We hope our story helps to inspire others! We very much appreciate Lamar & Ronnie for having us on their phenomenal site. And we thank the author Christine for writing such an incredible story and capturing it precisely.
Christine St. Vil says
It was my pleasure to speak with you both Mario! Thanks to you and Nicole again for sharing your story.
Anonymous says
Mario and Nicole. Cool seeing this article. Nicole, you are amazing. With all my blessings and love.
H. Dockery
ViVid Streaming
D.O. says
WOW. Who would have seen this in the making? I know KIM , Katara and I DID :)!!!. Mario and Nicole, continue growing, teaching, and staying true to SELF. Thank you for your transparency and the courage and strength I know it takes :). I love you all, and continue being Willing – to work, to hope, to try and create a better YOU!.
I am humbly honored to be one of the “three” 🙂
D Joseph says
Lovely article! It’s great to see that despite the multiple challenges, you never gave up on your love, goals and dreams…. Another strong island lady with a strong respectable guy….