KISH: Tell us about you..
Nicole Patterson: I am a 25 year old Baylor University graduate, currently working as an athletic trainer in Texas. I grew up in church and was a very curious child. My dad matched my curiosity with self-sufficiency, he taught me to seek out the answers on my own, to break down my problems and solve them through the intentionality of thought. This upbringing was the foundation for all that I’m able to accomplish through God now.
Fast forward to college, I was no longer able to go to my beautician, and I had already started to limit heat usage in high school to prepare for this time. Natural hair was becoming a normal thing, but it was still uncommon for most young women. “Natural hair isn’t for me” “I don’t have good hair”, etc.. were the comments that were so common to hear. I would reply with. “How is something you were created with not for you? What determines good hair? If it’s on your head, it’s good, it’s yours, and it’s enough, LOVE IT!”
I was told during this time that I had good hair, because it was a loose pattern, but today I know that my hair was damaged and that the ONLY definition of good hair is healthy hair.
I began researching hair health, and about hair care products due to my diagnosis of Grave’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism. Through this research, I learned how hair care plays a role in the body’s health and I began to create my own hair care products to take control of my own health. Today, I’m still learning about new ways to style my hair, new ways to define my curls, new ingredients that will not only benefit my hair but the body. My hair is constantly getting healthier, and my health is constantly improving. I no longer have to manipulate my curls to look nice (although I do enjoy a good braid out or twist out), and my health panels are improving. I have more energy and I’m feeling the change in my body.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Nicole Patterson: My biggest dream as a child was to grow up to be “rich,” so that I could give back to the community. I never understood why there were people with so much, and others with so little and why those with more didn’t help those with less. I know now that dream was the mind of God. He blesses us so that he can bless others through us.
This dream is still very alive and well. Through Mane Temptation, my dream is to give back to the community in multiple ways through creating products that are not destructive to our body’s health but that aid in our health, by creating content that educates the community on proper hair care, and through giving back to the community as we grow. My true idea of success does not stop with me but extends to others, if I’m able to help even just one other person, that is one step toward accomplishing my dream.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Nicole Patterson: I believe that this dream was given to me by God through watching and evaluating the world, and knowing and hoping that there must be something else. This inspiration was reignited at the beginning of the pandemic when God began to show me that I must take my brand seriously and trust in His plan. From there on, Mane Temptation became more than just a side thought, but a business.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Nicole Patterson: I have suffered many challenges throughout the process of developing and growing Mane Temptation. Fear of failure, thinking that if I didn’t take it seriously then I wouldn’t be hurt if it wasn’t what I hoped it would be. Trial and error is a huge challenge in the hair care industry due to learning what works and the processes needed to get consistent results. Lack of resources, from knowledge to money, were and are huge challenges for any business or dream. I also encountered a huge fraud situation which set me back thousands of dollars. In all these challenges, the biggest hurdle to get over was my own mind; however, I have learned valuable lessons that continue to help me along the way.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Nicole Patterson: There were many things that inspired me to keep going regardless of what I face throughout this journey; however, I know that the ultimate reason I’m able to continue is because of God. In every situation, He was able to speak to me and encourage me to trust Him. Knowing that there are some things that I’m going to have to go through to grow to what He wants me to be, and that this same principle applies to my business as well.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Nicole Patterson: Dream a dream big enough for others, and pray without ceasing.
