Her business journey started with a single truck and a stubborn belief: that she could do it better. Nine years later, Nicole Appleton—proud Ngarrindjeri woman and nominee for the 2025 Supply Nation awards—is redefining what success looks like in an industry long dominated by men, and rarely by First Nations women.

Ms Appleton is the owner of NLA Trucking, a 100 per cent Aboriginal female-owned trucking and plant hire business working across Victoria. Starting from one truck, it has since grown into a fleet of approximately 100 trucks a day, both owned and subcontracted.

Recently nominated for Indigenous Business Woman of the Year at this year's Supply Nation awards, Ms Appleton has been recognised as a woman-identifying Indigenous business owner who has driven significant and sustainable growth in her business and demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and/or members and Indigenous businesses.

"Our growth has been driven by strong client relationships, long-term contracts, and a deep commitment to quality, respect and continual relationship building. We invest in our people and reinvest into the business to scale responsibly," she said.

"As a finalist for Indigenous Business Woman of the Year, it's proof that you can lead with values, grow with integrity, and still compete at the highest level."

Ms Appleton was also recently elected to the Board of Kinaway, the Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating her commitment to building a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector. Having previously won their Sistas in Business award in 2023, she now returns as a leader in 2025.

Ms Appleton said culture is embedded in every part of her business.

"Culture is in everything we do. From the artwork on our trucks - commissioned by Jordan Lovegrove, a Ngarrindjeri artist - to the way we recruit, train, and give back," she said.

"We prioritise hiring mob, we partner with other Indigenous businesses, and we speak up about issues like black cladding. It's not just about being an Aboriginal-owned business—it's about living those values every day."

But the road to success was not easy. Ms Appleton described the challenges of navigating an industry where she was often underestimated for her gender or cultural identity.

"When I first started NLA Trucking, no one took me seriously. I had a solid business plan and a clear vision, but I was dismissed—not because the numbers didn't stack up, but because I was a woman, and an Aboriginal woman at that." she said.

"I was even accused of pretending to be a truck driver just to help my 'husband' get financing—when I was single. I was told that if I ever became a mother, I'd have to stay home and that this industry wouldn't be for me.

"Whether it's finance, contracts, or even respect—I've had to work twice as hard to prove I belong. Breaking into an industry dominated by men, and staying in it, takes constant resilience."

Now, she is proving those who doubted her wrong.

"Today, I am a proud mum to a three-and-a-half-year-old boy and still work every single day. I doubled my business while I was pregnant. I worked through labour, and even hired my first sales rep from outside the hospital after giving birth," she said.

"I started by driving the truck, then managing operations, and now I run a company where we are creating real jobs and opening doors across the state."

Ms Appleton said her nomination for Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year is "incredibly validating".

"This journey hasn't been easy, and there were times I doubted whether I was making an impact. Being nominated reminded me that the work we're doing—especially creating employment pathways for mob and women—is being seen and valued," she said.

For Ms Appleton, the heart of her business means creating opportunity for others to follow.

One of NLA Trucking's recent ventures is their Path to Business Ownership pilot program, a 6 to 12-month initiative for Indigenous people who want to become truck owner-operators.

Starting off as employees, they receive on-road training and business mentoring as well as assistance buying their own truck and securing consistent work.

Ms Appleton said the program is about breaking the cycle through creating independence, generational wealth, and change.

"We see so many projects where there is a percentage of Indigenous hours required on site, and so many people just giving Indigenous people a job just to meet those hours and then all of a sudden they don't have a job anymore, and they don't have work for 6 months. So it's kind of just like a tick and flick tokenistic exercise," she said.

"Worst case scenario, they sell their truck after five years and they've got 200 grand in their pocket, plus they've paid all their bills and whatever else for the last 5 years.

"Best case scenario, they love it and they either want to stay doing it on their own, or they go and buy another one. They employ people, they grow a successful business and they can be doing the same thing that we're doing."

Ms Appleton said NLA Trucking's work culture is central to their growth and success.

"We don't just talk about diversity—we live it. We back people who haven't been given a fair go, and we set high standards while mentoring them to succeed," she said.

"That culture comes from the top—I've built what I wish I had when I started."

When asked what advice she has for aspiring business owners, especially young Indigenous women looking to enter male-dominated fields like herself, Ms Appleton said: "Don't wait for someone to open the door for you. Push it open yourself. There's space for you, even if it doesn't feel like it yet."

"Find your voice, ask questions, and back yourself—especially when others don't."

Ms Appleton's nomination for Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year is more than a recognition of her success; it is proof that with enough resilience and determination, anything is possible.