“I’ve built a community here—in business, in tennis, even at the farmer’s market.” – Nicole Peters, High Point, NC
That one sentence from Nicole Peters sums up the deep sense of connection she’s found since returning to her hometown of High Point, North Carolina. A rising business leader and president of Peters Enterprises, Nicole’s story is one of rediscovery: of place, purpose and personal fulfillment in the Carolina Core.
Nicole Peters is the president of Peters Enterprises, a commercial real estate company based in High Point, North Carolina, with properties throughout the Carolinas. Known for her leadership, drive and ability to forge relationships, Nicole has not only continued her family’s business legacy but is also helping shape the future of her region. After years away in New York City, her return to High Point has become a full-circle story of meaningful growth, both personal and professional.
Born and raised in High Point, Nicole always had roots in the Carolina Core, but it took moving away—and then coming back—to fully appreciate what the region could offer. After attending college in North Carolina, she moved to New York and embraced the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. But it was the quieter, community-oriented rhythm of life back home that ultimately drew her back.
“I kind of enjoyed the anonymity of New York,” she reflected, “but when I moved back, I really leaned into the smaller community.” What began as a lifestyle shift soon became a revelation. In the Carolina Core, Nicole found space—physically and emotionally—to build new relationships, rekindle old ones and find joy in the everyday. From forming bonds with local business owners to becoming a regular at her favorite tennis courts and wine bars, she discovered a kind of belonging that was harder to find in the city.
Professionally, Nicole’s career began at the high-profile eyewear startup Warby Parker, where she worked in email marketing before transitioning into tech. Though she enjoyed the problem-solving side of IT, she didn’t feel fully energized by the work. A casual conversation with her mom—who was looking to hire someone at the family’s commercial real estate business—changed everything.
“It was a pivot I wasn’t expecting,” Nicole admitted, but it felt right. She joined the team, worked hard, and earned her way up to president. “This work gets me excited each day,” she said. With a three-person team based in High Point, Peters Enterprises may be small, but its impact is growing as the region evolves.
That growth is something Nicole has seen—and felt—firsthand. High Point, once known primarily for its furniture market, is transforming. “There’s just more than you would expect,” she said. From new hotels and restaurants to community spaces like the food hall and downtown stadium, Nicole sees a city on the rise. Even longtime visitors to the furniture market are starting to notice—and appreciate—the shift.
Running a business in the Carolina Core, Nicole finds herself in a sweet spot: close enough to city centers for opportunity but still grounded in communities where people know and support each other. It’s the kind of place where you can attend a chamber luncheon and speak directly with city leaders about growth and vision—something that has made her feel not just heard but invested.
On weekends, Nicole is a fixture at the local farmers market, where she chats with vendors she knows by name. She hikes Pilot Mountain, goes wine tasting at local bars and spends quality time with family—all things that might have been harder to access in a larger, more crowded metro.
“There’s access to everything here—the beach to the east, the mountains to the west—and you don’t spend your life in traffic trying to get there,” she said. “It’s a quality of life that I would say is second to none.”
When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering a move to the Carolina Core, Nicole suggests starting with values: “If community and quality of life matter to you, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.” The region’s cost of living is another huge draw, especially for professionals who want a full life outside of work.