She Had a Date With Destiny

A successful entrepreneur, musical-licensing company founder, production-company executive, head of numerous worldwide charitable organizations, a Jewish convert dedicated to Israel and its prosperity, and so much more, Nickie Shapira seems driven.

But is she?

No, not really, she says. It was just clear from the start that this Hawaiian native had a lot to say -- and even more to do.

"To begin with, growing up, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. And I always loved politics and felt it was my duty to be involved. I wanted to do things for others because I wanted to go on to do something to make a difference in the world," reveals Shapira.

And what a difference she's made. First of all, while still a student at Princeton University, she started her own label, Tiger Records, out of her dorm room. Under her leadership, the company's first released single achieved top 25 Billboard chart success and paved the way for Shapira's continued involvement in the urban entertainment industry.

"The type of record company I started was hip-hop and R&B," she goes on to explain. "The urban music industry was filled with stories about people who started their own labels out of the trunks of their cars. I was inspired by those stories and thought, if they could do it, then so could I.

"Then, a change in the record business, mergers and so on, affected the way records work. So I got discouraged and decided not to continue in the record business."

But nothing could discourage her entrepreneurial ambitions. She has continued to achieve success in the urban market. Her production company (with partner Michael McQuarn), 8th Wonder, has two upcoming series on BET: "Black Poker Stars International," hosted by Katt Williams, and "First In," hosted by Tyrese Gibson.

Shapira is also producing the feature film "Cooking for Love."

Charitable, Entrepreneurial

But this extremely busy executive is as charitable as she is entrepreneurial.

Married to JDate founder Joe Shapira, she converted to Judaism on the eve of her impending marriage, and today is proud of her new religion and way of life.

She says: "My husband, who is an Israeli Jew, and I knew we wanted to have children, so I thought it was important that I convert. I felt I needed to know about the different traditions and cultures so my children could be exposed to all of it. I am a Zionist, and I believe that Judaism is truly a way of life."

She also feels strongly that it is up to all committed Jews to "make sure Israel will continue to exist for many generations to come. We can't forget our history and our people."

Between major successes in various business fields, Shapiro commits herself to improving the welfare of children both in the United States and aboard. She has sponsored schools in both Los Angeles and Israel. Most recently, she has committed to funding scholarships for a number of students at the University of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have the academic ability, but not the finances to pursue a higher education.

"Education is really important to me. That's a very Jewish value -- and an Asian value as well," says Shapira. "Both Joe and I feel strongly that it's our obligation to help educate children, and something we need to do for the world."

Additionally, she is a member of the board of the nonprofit organization Children Uniting Nations, and chair emeritus for Children Uniting Nations: Asia -- a new initiative that will create the first of its kind "Children's Village," modeled after kibbutzim in Israel, for more than 1,000 orphans from countries throughout Asia. She also secured private-sector participation to finance the initiative.

Shapira, who now resides in Beverly Hills with her husband of four years, looks forward to one day starting her own family. And she says that her children will probably be involved in all kinds of causes as well -- when they finally get here.

"I myself have always been involved in causes ever since I was a child. I started doing phone banking, and making and waving signs on the side of the road to show how strongly I believed in things. It was just something in me that I loved.

With regards to others following her lead, Shapiro says "that every single person can make a difference. Just find whatever you think is important in life and then do something to make it happen -- to make a difference for others."