Audino finds beauty in high school experience

By Dylan Rafferty

February 11, 2024

Nicolette Audino graduated from Colonie Central High School in 2010. Audino was a star of the girls' varsity lacrosse team, as well as the girls' varsity tennis team, both of which she played for during the four years of her high school experience.

Audino says her high school experience was very memorable, and that she was surrounded by great peers and educators who contributed to this experience. She was a football game attendee every Friday night, never failing to show school spirit. The after-school bake sales, sporting events, school musicals, and dances made her high school experience even more unforgettable.

One person who specifically enhanced Audino’s time at Colonie was Mr. Kachadurian. Audino says that Kachadurian brought energy and knowledge to his classroom that made her love writing. She says that Kachadurian is one of those teachers that you know has a “special edge”; what he taught, as well as the way he taught, has stuck with Audino to this very day.

Having been in sports her whole life, with her dad being the head football coach at Union College, Audino learned many life lessons through her athletic involvement. 

“They [sports] taught me how to work as a team, how to show up for your commitments, and honestly, how to compete and work hard for the end goal,” says Audino, which she says directly impacts her role today at Arcade Beauty, being the Vice President of Sales.

After high school, Audino went to Union College, studying nothing in the realm of beauty, fashion or cosmetics. But during her time in college, she managed to get two internships for magazines. She worked for Cosmopolitan and People Style Watch.With print media declining due to the rise of social media, she quickly realized that this was not the space for her.

Audino always liked beauty and cosmetics, and landed a position at Arcade Beauty as an executive assistant. With hard work and dedication, she was able to get promoted from a sales coordinator, to a sales manager, then a sales director, and how has the current position as a Vice President of Sales.

“I am very fortunate to say I love what I do,” says Audio. 

Arcade Beauty partners with many brands to help develop and manufacture their sampling products. 

“If you have ever been to a Sephora or beauty counter, a great deal of the samples that are handed out at check out are produced by Arcade Beauty,” says Audino. 

Being able to socialize with people for a living reminds Audino of her time at Colonie, and her socialization in high school. Having friendly faces to say hello to in the hallway, the events she took part in, and the sports she played, set her up for success with skills that are essential for an executive of a multi-million dollar company.

From a young age, Audino knew that she wanted to live in the city, and that the city does have better opportunities for the creative industry. She says that there are beauty companies located in the Capital Region, and that you do not need to go to a big city to succeed in this industry, although it definitely helps because that is where most are located. 

Though she moved to Manhattan and still resides there, the Colonie community will always welcome her back.