We recently connected with Kiki Nikole and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kiki , thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

There are many factors involved with being successful. Success, for me, means determination and staying on track with my goals and mission – this includes my daily habits as well as my goals for a healthy work/life balance. I think it takes constant preparation as well. For instance, taking the time to prepare things such as meals and snacks helps sustain the energy needed to execute and complete any plans made. For example, when I take a road trip with my meditation class I must always prepare for things in advance. This includes packing healthy food and beverages, as well as tools such as camping gear, overnight things, and other miscellaneous stuff (if needed). I’ve also learned that writing down and listing things is a very good skill when on the path to success. Be practical – sometimes the tasks and goals can get overwhelming, but if you break it down into smaller parts, and write things down, it helps with your achievements in the long run (plus, it’s fun to go back and read what you did during that time in your life, especially if you date it). Another piece of advice is stay passionate about your decisions, and never let other people’s success distract you from your own.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Kiki Nikole and I am the creator of Toadstone Mountain Trading Co. (TMTC) which is a Meditation & Wellness lifestyle brand. At TMTC, we specialize in photography and videography by using a special instrument known as a teleidoscope. Not sure what a teleidoscope is? Find out more on our website at www.ToadstoneMountain.com, where you can read the blog on the comparison of a teleidoscope versus kaleidoscope. But why use a teleidoscope you ask? Because it is a friendly reminder to “Look Within” and it is my way as a coach to help promote and support a healthy journey of meditation and wellness. The video content created is published on YouTube (@TMTCVIBEHIGHRADIO) as well as on our website. All the videos are produced and made to be used as tools during your journey – not only are the teleidoscope videos appealing to the eyes, but they are paired with Sound Healing frequency music to help promote and induce a deeper practice. But it gets even better. The teleidoscope photography is essentially extracted from the videos, and then edited and put on extremely comfortable clothing including leggings, hoodies, and other outstanding merch (which you can purchase from our website). I have created a line known as REVERBERATE which is a revolving gemstone collection, per birthstone. For instance, January is known as Garnet Days, February is Amethyst Days, March is Aquamarine Days, and so on (you can find the entire schedule on our website). Each month the gemstone is filmed and produced in a way like no other. Sometimes the film also includes travel, which gives the videos an extra special touch. And with each changing month and gemstone comes a revolving inventory of merchandise. For instance, the new monthly tribute is added to the Gallery and Shop. From there, it will be showcased until the next monthly tribute. When another tribute comes, the initial tribute is then added to what is known as “Valediction Days’, where you can start to see the product go on sale. After another month of “Valediction Days”, it is then added to “Clearance”. After one more month of clearance, and at its lowest price possible, the inventory is then removed from the shop. But not to worry! The inventory is ever revolving, and when one design leaves, another is added due to our schedule of the gems. The YouTube channel is also a place where you can find “Wellness Interviews” where I Zoom with other coaches, artists, and various professionals to discuss topics in the realm of wellness (e.g. Reiki, Massage Therapy, Spiritual Retreats, Food & Diet, Holistic Lifestyle, & More). Another close collaboration is with the brand “Natural Sweet Life”, which is founded by one of my good friends named Leslie Walker (integrative nutritionist/reflexologist). Our collaboration is special because TMTC produces food photography for Natural Sweet Life (NSL). For instance, because NSL is all about promoting alternative sugars, TMTC uses film to capture the approved foods through the view of a teleidoscope! Together, we have created another schedule, but instead of it changing monthly (such as with REVERBERATE), this schedule changes every two months. For example, we will be in “Blueberry Days ‘23” (August 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023) and soon we will be in “Papaya Days ’23” (October 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023), then “Monk Fruit Days ’23” (December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023). All of the content is similar to REVERBERATE – you can find the specifically curated video on YouTube where you will get to experience viewing through the lens of a teleidoscope, sound healing frequency music, as well as find an extracted photo taken from the video where it is carefully crafted and edited to be put on leggings, bags, hoodies, and other merchandise (which you can find on ToadstoneMountain.com). We also work together by producing educational content involving new recipes and “How to Make” videos. Speaking of, another fun option with my brand is joining the class on the YouTube channel known as TMTC Virtual Storytime Hour. Not only will you get to see me wearing the amazing product and merchandise from the shop, but also, I teach and guide basic breathing exercises, play sound healing instruments, and then read books aloud for your listening pleasure. The class is meant to help beginners with learning how to find the time to meditate and create habits for a more enriched spiritual, mental, and physical journey. Currently we are reading the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. This book has been so much fun to read because I have incorporated travel and other fun footage from the adventures as well. For example, last week I traveled and found a waterfall. The timelapse video footage of the drive (starting at sun rise in the early morning) is also added to the content, along with other awesome music, which gives the ability for you to be motivated and really experience the day with me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal for me as a coach is to help motivate and inspire you overall on your wellness and meditation journey. And because I’ve created the brand known as “Toadstone Mountain Trading Co” it allows me to produce several options for your wellness needs. For instance, the mission at TMTC is one involving art, education, and creativity. Our motto is “We Vibe High” for a reason. For instance, the video content is a time for viewers to relax, rejuvenate, and learn about themselves on an atomic level. All the videos from REVERBERATE, for instance, contain a published self-paced “Guided Meditation”, which is a suggested way to behave while listening and watching the videos. For example, when you read the description box you will not only find how the video was curated, but also positive affirmations for you to repeat while simultaneously feeling the vibrations from the sound healing frequencies being played. The video content promotes a healthy state of mind, which keeps me driven to keep producing more in the future. I am also driven by the fact that viewers have the option to take a piece of art home with them in a very practical way, which promotes the physical part of your journey. For instance, the latest video from NSL (Peach Days ’23) was curated using fresh picked rose and a variety of peaches – the music has been tuned to a frequency of 528 Hertz (Hz), which is a frequency associated with stress reduction, DNA repair, and general body rejuvenation. The sound is also helpful with entraining the brain with Delta frequencies, which has been proven to stimulate the production of DHEA, which is an anti-aging hormone, and reduce the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can expedite the aging process. After experiencing this video, you then have the option to find a photo that was extracted from this exact video. The food photography is put on merchandise including extremely comfortable and stylish leggings, hoodies, tote bags, and other “meditation tools”. Aside from these options, I have also created other various meditation programs (which you can find on ToadstoneMountain.com). For example, we offer a program known as “DEVOTIONALwarrior: 10-Day Meditation Transformation”. This program is self-paced and is designed to help anyone new to meditation gain a foundation for their practice. Another self-paced program offered is known as “HALFLORDoftheFISHES: 14-Days to Sun Salutations”. This program was created to help motivate individuals to use yoga on their wellness journey. Because yoga helps push out negativity, the program is there to educate and teach how to listen to your body and learn the basics of the Sun Salutation, which is a series of postures that warms, strengthens, and aligns the entire body. Overall, the goal is to help our clients find space for healing, peace, empowerment, hope, and growth. We want all those struggling to find positivity in our Gallery, Services, Classes, and Programs. We also believe in working as a team with our clients to help create balance in mental health and daily habitual routines. We strive to help our clients to realize that wholeness and healing is possible and deserving for all individuals, no matter what age. Our culture is one driven by a compassionate team of caring, credentialed, high quality professionals who strive to provide our clients with pathways and new ideas to improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My background includes working for dreaded “Corporate America”, and I am grateful because I have gained the skills, knowledge, and confidence to do what I am doing today. It wasn’t long ago that I held the identity of “commuter working in the big city”. That door was closed when I was forced to choose between taking an experimental vaccine or continue living my life in a holistic and organic manner. Of course, I chose the latter. Since leaving that role, I now stand firm in my religious viewpoints, and I now view time completely different. For instance, my schedule once revolved around my 9 to 5 day job. I look back on the “corporate days” and feel that a lot of time was wasted on things that didn’t matter in the long run. Today my schedule is 24 hours/7 days a week. and I don’t even feel like I am working because I am so passionate about what I create for others. I have learned that time is precious, and I feel better at the end of the day using my time and energy producing art, coaching others, and helping the world be a better place overall. And don’t get me wrong – being in the corporate world for me meant attending college in my early twenties (studying psychology), traveling with tourism and hospitality for several years as a server/bartender, as well as working various odd temporary office positions over the years, with finally landing a position in procurement with the State of California in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, more specifically with the Academy in their training unit. I have experienced so much, and have gained many skills, especially when it comes to working with people. A pivotal moment in time for me was during the year 2021, when I was forced to either conform or stand true in my core beliefs. Now, I don’t want to get too political, but the old saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” holds true for me. And in that specific year, with all the fear, stress, and unfortunate “mass formation psychosis” (as many would call it), I was essentially forced to resign from my position with the State, forcing me to have to make decisions with who I was and what I will do with my life. For many this was a time of confusion and fear, but thankfully the habits of practicing meditation and yoga (and not watching television for the past ten years) really helped with my decision making. For instance, my yoga practice has always helped me cope with stress and anxiety, and during this time it especially helped with the ability to listen to the signs and listen to my intuition. It also allowed me to fully realize the need for more strength and courage in the world. So, I let go, and went through the steps and process of leaving a corporate office position. And because my Religious Exemption didn’t qualify towards any “unemployment” assistance, I have had to adjust my life accordingly. During this period is also the time when I bought my first teleidoscope – I’m not sure if this was a “coping strategy” with all of the stress, but I really did spend some of the last money I had on a teleidoscope “that I just had to have”. So, I ordered the scope from an online store called www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com, and little did I know what this “toy” could do. And what I mean is I started filming various objects “through the view of a teleidoscope” and started playing around with the photography it brought about. I was fascinated! My very first piece (known as “LiteRay”) was the piece of art that first spoke to me. I couldn’t believe how magnificent and beautiful the art was! This is when I started researching my options, and soon started opening doors I never knew existed! I kept playing around with the art, and soon realized I could put the art on leggings and other comfortable clothing! So that is when I created the brand “Toadstone Mountain Trading Co”. I meticulously worked all day and night during this time – I remember having the feeling as though “time was running out”, especially while I was still in the tail end “battle with the State”. I have used every skill and ability I have ever learned from my past until this time. Thankfully I am a very resilient and organized person as it is, so the commitment and schedule changes weren’t so bad. What really has been a challenge is the filming aspect. For instance, I now joke and say, “I have had a camera in my pocket this whole time, I wish I would’ve started filming earlier!” But just because I have had a camera, doesn’t necessarily mean I know what I am doing. I am now immersed in the audio/visual world – I have put myself through training on many levels whether it is for new software or new hardware – I have even gained certification in Sound Healing and now offer cleansing Sound Baths to clients, friends, and family. So here we are now, two years later. The struggle is still real, but I am now standing in my truth and have officially claimed my identity as a mentor, coach, and artist, and look forward to serving the public the best I can with the power I have.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ToadstoneMountain.com
• Instagram: @toadstonemountain
• Facebook: @meditationsuperstore
• Youtube: @TMTCVIBEHIGHRADIO

Image Credits
Toadstone Mountain Trading Co.