We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Patterson Lat, Atc. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I began Mane Temptation in college, while studying sports medicine, after noticing how inaccessible hair extensions were to students around me, due to the price. So I began to seek out a company with quality hair that was affordable. My goal was to help female students, like myself, gain access to hair extensions that were beautiful without having to decide between a meal and looking nice.
Around my junior/senior year, I became sick and my body began to shut down. What started off as perceived anxiety, and written off by the medical staff at the school, began to progress quickly.. leading to a loss of 30 lbs in 3 weeks, decreased appetite, muscle pain, and eventually no tolerance for food and pain with walking, and more symptoms. Towards the end of that time, before my diagnosis, my condition was so bad that a friend called my mom with her concerns, and my mom had to drive up to come get me, because of how weak I was – I wasn’t able to move around without pain and I couldn’t hold down any food. My mom set up an appointment with a family friend – who was an internist, much love to internal medicine.. she was the only one who listened to my concerns and symptoms, and took them seriously. My family has a history of thyroid dysfunction, and I’d told my doctors at school, that I was feeling different than usual for the past 2 or 3 years before I got sick, that I had a family history and I was concerned… but they said my thyroid levels weren’t consistent (they would be high, then normal, then low) and that I was fine, I just was experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
The internist began to express concern for my thyroid, and the importance of seeing an endocrinologist ASAP, as my body was showing signs of shutting down. I was able to see the endocrinologist the next day, and the first thing she said when she walked in and let me know I had been experience a thyroid storm and then said “I’ve never seen someone with this much hormone in their body, you shouldn’t be alive.” Can you imagine hearing a well-experienced doctor, tell you she’s never seen nor heard of such a case?

Of course, my mother and I weren’t surprised, after all she made me eat some crackers before we went, which of course I couldn’t hold down and violently began to reject while she was driving me to the appointment – imagine this: Driving a car slowly down one of the busiest roads in your city, and holding your child by her shirt, so she doesn’t fall out of the door of the car while vomiting so violently her body is being thrown forward towards the street…. Then imagine being the one whose body is rejecting any food with a vengeance while traveling down that road, trying to keep the door cracked slightly, in the midst of your body betraying you.

So we began to ask, what are we going to do about it… so she discussed labs with us and treatment options, and we decided on medication, and follow-ups weekly or biweekly (every two weeks). I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, due to Grave’s Autoimmune Disease. Now, I know you’re wondering what this has to do with Mane Temptation? I’m glad you asked!

I began to take the medication as instructed, and each followup I learned that it was not affecting my hormone (thyroid) levels the way that it should, and eventually I began to develop hives/allergic response to the medication and had to switch to the more dangerous medication, which also was not bringing my levels down the way that it was supposed to. So I’m talking to different people, and my God Mom began to talk to me about changing my diet to support my blood type… to which I instantly turned up my nose – because I enjoy eating, and I enjoy eating what I want, when I want. The thought began to come to me, if I can change my diet and it affect my thyroid and hormones, what if I change my hair care… after all, none of my symptoms really began until I started using more products to take care of my hair, since I no longer had a stylist and went fully natural (opposed to being a straight natural).
So, I decided to do the research with one of the principles I learned in class, in mind – “the area of pain, is not always the area of problem or the root cause of the pain”. My research brought light to the fact that hair care and personal care products can affect our hormones, and there are correlations between many health disparities and the chemicals found in these products. I knew at that moment, I needed to make a change and that this was one that I could commit too, because I’d been on a journey to improve the health of my hair after years of heat styling. So I began to research nutrients that the hair needed and ingredients that contain these nutrients, as well as if those ingredients had any adverse health affects, and from there I began to hand mix my own moisturizer to style with, using ingredients that were not just great for my hair but safe for my health. During this time, I’d forgotten to take my medication, understandably, and when I went back to the doctor, I began to let her know that I hadn’t been taking it because I was forgetting – she reminded me how important it was, life or death, and that we’ll do blood work even though we most likely won’t see the change we needed to see.
She came back in after the blood work processed, and asked me “are you sure you haven’t been taking your meds?”, I assured her that I’d been busy and have forgotten over the past few weeks since I’d seen her, and she informed me that my levels had improved more than they should have even if I had taken the medication. If you could only imagine the smile in my heart – it was working, and that was the moment that I knew that I’d take my hair care seriously. I went back to my home at school, and threw out every hair care product I owned, washed the jars, and began to make my products on the stove to fill those jars, for daily convenience.
Overtime, I began to learn more about formulation and stability of the products, how to determine the amount of each ingredient based on the nutrient content and purpose of the ingredient, and perfected my recipe (formulation). People began to stop me while I was out and asked about what products I used, and I always let them know I made my own. After many requests to sell it, I started selling products through Mane Temptation, to family, friends, and a small clientele who inquired. At every visit, my levels begin to improve to the surprise of my endocrinologist, who was now aware that I was no longer taking medication, but unaware of the change that I’d made – to this day, that’s the one detail I regret… not being open with her, but I was scared she’d think I was crazy.
To make a long story shorter, within a year or 2 of changing my hair care products to Mane Temptation, my thyroid levels became normal – without medication… and within a year or 2 of having normal levels, I no longer had the blood marker for Graves Disease, and have continued to maintain normal levels since going into full remission.

Through Mane Temptation, I’ve gained and share knowledge and products that can help not only my generation, but future generations! I’ve learned things that corporations and researchers have not made known to the public, yet are widely known and researched in science and the personal care industry. Through that research, I have been able to incorporate health into hair care, and create a product that is truly safe and effective for all hair types. I’ve had clients who have struggled with eczema, psoriasis, other skin conditions, different health conditions (including Graves) and have seen improvements in their conditions after the first use and with continued use. I have clients who have seen improvements in not just the feel and look of their hair but the health/strength and moisture retention of their hair. I’ve had clients who have thanked me for being bold and putting the product out there, that it’s exactly what they’ve been looking for – endocrine safe/hormone-free hair care, a truly CLEAN hair care product that works for all hair types, genders, ages, and is even safe for skin (see: scalp is skin!) Even without before and after pictures (most of my clients aren’t comfortable, and that’s okay), it’s so rewarding to hear the excitement of others when they let me know how the product has helped them and a lot of times their household as well! I love community and a good family-affair!

While I’ve moved away from hair extensions as my main product offering, I do still have loyal clients who know the quality and continue to purchase when they need a new style. However, with our hair care product offering, the original goal of Mane Temptation remains the same: to help others, to serve others! My experience with Graves Disease opened my eyes to a problem that I hadn’t seen or been aware of before. A problem that at that time affected me, has affected many before me, and will affect countless after me, if I stood by complacent. It took Prayer and research to develop what Mane Temptation is today, I now understand that Mane Temptation products were not created just for me, but with a heart to help others not have to go through the same experience as I have. I want children to grow up, without having to experience sickness due to ingredients and products that are known to disrupt the body’s function overtime… without having to become sick because of products that their mother/father/grandma/grandpa and so on used unknowingly in the past.

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I love this question, because I recently began to think about who/what I am. A believer/follower of Jesus? Yes.. An Athletic Trainer (sports medicine professional)? Yes.. A business owner? Yes.. A creative? Yes.. But why, what drives me?
As I thought it over (& yes, prayed over it – see: communication with God), God began to bring to my mind, my desire and passion to help people! I became an Athletic Trainer, because I wanted to help people and I saw how my HS Athletic Trainer helped me through my knee injury. I started my business, because I wanted to help people and I saw a need. I created a hair care product, because I had a need, and then saw how this same solution could help others! In fact, since I was a child, I had a concern for the welfare of others… how could we help the poor, the hungry, those who had less than we did, and why do they have less.. we’re talking about the thoughts and questions of an Elementary Schooler, lol. And let’s be real, I believe and follow Jesus, NOT to help others (though I do & live it), but because I recognized I needed (& still need) help!
I am what I am, because of who God is IN ME, and the sacrifice Jesus made FOR ME. If I’m honest, I learned and studied some chemistry in college (sports medicine, pre-med major), but there’s no way that with my little chemistry training that I came up with stable hair care formulas possessing the benefits they do, alone.. I had help from God, that little thought pointing me to hair care was one he gave to me and allowed me to see through to what it is today. It’s because I’m a child of God, who believes and follows the life of his son, that I’m able to be a servant to others, able to evaluate and treat injuries, to create solutions to problems, and I’m able to operate a business that not only helps others but affords me the time and resources to continue to help in other ways!
So I can proudly say that I AM A Servant! And, I serve with joy!

Mane Temptation is a hair health brand that focuses on incorporating health into hair care. I began Mane Temptation in college by selling high quality hair extension and adapted it to what it is today, after being diagnosed with Graves Disease and going into remission through only using hair care products I made. The heart of Mane Temptation is to allow people to feel a sense of relief in finding the hair care solution they’ve been looking for, that helps their pain points in ways other products cannot sustain. For consumers to know that they are heard and seen, and to have confidence when they make the decision to choose Mane Temptation for their self and/or their family.
Mane Temptation offers safe and effective hair care products for all hair types, genders, and ages. All of our ingredients contain the nutrients your hair needs, and none of the fillers or fluff that affects the body’s function. All of our products are artificial fragrance free, sulfate free, phthalate free, alcohol free, etc and we utilize glass packaging to ensure safe products, so that your body can do what it naturally does best, heal & recover! After experiencing a thyroid storm, due to Graves, I’m very intentional about what I allow onto and into my body, so every ingredient is thoroughly researched before being included into one of our formulations.
In addition to the amazing benefits of Mane Temptation’s hair health products, because our products are nutrient dense, a little goes a long way, meaning you’re getting a long lasting solution that works for everyone. All of our full size products last through 3+ months of use, versus the few weeks you get out of traditional products, and we offer family size so that you get the same long lasting solution whether you choose to use it personally or share.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It’s funny that you ask that, because I was talking to my friend about some of the mountains that I’ve faced in my business. It’s interesting, because I was able to pinpoint a common theme in my ability to continue serving others. I’ve dealt with many different hurdles, many different pits, and distractions throughout my years of learning, creating and building Mane Temptation. I mean, I’ve literally lost thousands to a client who committed fraud, thousands to contractors not delivering on their end of contracted work, and even dealt with impostor syndrome and different fears that have stolen my confidence time and time again. All of these failures have taught me to focus on what matters, client relationship, and building community – because that’s what I value.

Imagine this: you’ve worked tirelessly to continue to perfect a product that you’re proud of, to present to others. You’ve researched not just any ingredients, but ingredients with purpose, benefits and minimal negative side effects… you’ve learned how to mix and stabilize the product, how to test shelf-life and usage… you’ve created the product, figured out the packaging, and even sold some.
Now you feel like it’s time to focus on image, so you research a marketer and decide on your contractor to build your brand. Everything is going well, you’re enjoying the process and the deliverables are exceeding your expectations. You’re excited because you want everything to be perfect for your clients. Then, your contractors life is turned upside down, and progress stops… but you value relationship, so you continue to reach out and even pay the last payment, although the project is behind and you haven’t gotten any of the systems or finalized plans that instruct on how the brand works. So you now have an unfinished project, that you don’t know how to finish, nor any money to pay someone else to finish it. You know your product, you created it… but you have no clue how to present it to others. Maybe it’s time to give up?

That’s the thought that I battle with time and time again, maybe I should give up, maybe it’s not meant to be, maybe this is a sign. Yet, every time I’m at this crossroad I find that God encourages me to continue, to trust in what He’s given me, to trust the vision even when I don’t see how it’s going to work. Every time I’m at this crossroad a client reaches out with an AMAZING testimony/review of how the product is helping them, or a potential client reaches out to learn more and find out how to order, or I’m out and the story of my autoimmune journey comes up, or someone asks about how my business is doing, or random orders come in, etc. Every time God reaffirms that this crossroad is only a test, it’s only a mountain and He’ll either help me over it or He’ll move it!
Every time I’m at this crossroad, the choice is to help another or to quit… and every time I choose the 1 reason to continue over the 99 reasons to quit!
This topic is interesting because it wasn’t until today that I realized that I don’t need all the fancy things to “have a business” or “be successful,” I just need to prioritize what I value – helping others, building community, and providing value. Mane Temptation wasn’t made in the image of other brands, it wasn’t created to look like or to act like a certain thing, but it was made in the image of Health, it was created to be an aid to the body, to benefit the hair and skin (see: scalp) without putting unnecessary burden on the body.
So the mountains I’ve encountered, have shown me that my purpose and Mane Temptation’s purpose is to serve others… that’s the choice I make when faced with difficulties, to continue… even if it means that I’m helping only ONE Person, because we all deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to be helped!

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

Of course! My all time favorite marketing event was my first Unique Markets in Portland, Oregon! So, I’m from Texas, and traveling for a market to launch my brand was a scary but exciting thing. I’d done some research and knew that I had to go to Portland and participate in the Unique Markets. I’d talked to one of my friends from church to travel with me, she’s from Portland and knows the area, but something happened with her job at the last minute – God moved and another friend, Kem, from church ended up able and willing to travel. Don’t even ask me about the process of changing the flight reservations, that was a hassle and if memory serves, it didn’t get settled until the week of, if not the day before our flight.
There are so many issues that arose concerning this event, that many people aren’t aware of. I was so excited for the market, and to present the products for the first time publicly, that I’d been preparing products for months ahead of time, and yet it was like everything came down to the wire – bottling, packing, etc! The branding was never completed – my contractor had begun to slow down due to some personal things going on in her life, she had just finished the packaging designs, so I was able to order that to come in before I left, but then those orders were delayed, so I didn’t get some labels until the night before I left, the individual boxes didn’t come until after I arrived in Portland, but I continued forward in faith!
Kem and I began to pray, pack, and prepare for our trip. We finished the packing the morning of our flight, and had to rearrange products in bags while at the bag check, because one of the bags was overweight while another was underweight – remember we’re traveling product, for the market… so a majority (3/4) of the checked bags were filled with full product bottles as well as bubble wrap and towels to protect them. The 4th bag, had a few bottles, with some shelving that I had bought earlier in the year.

Upon arriving in Portland, only 1 of our checked bags made it with us – the others were lost, so we had to deal with the customer service desk, get a claim, etc. It was frustrating, but we decided to continue with our plans for the day while we waited to hear back about our lost “luggage” which was really all the product we needed, to participate in the event. We’d arrived (Thursday) the day before setup (Friday), which was 2 days before the event (Saturday and Sunday). So we took the railway with our carry-ons and 1 checked bag that came, to run our errands, to pick up our displays that we’d need to setup Friday plus any extra decor that we might need to give the wholesome, welcoming feel that we envisioned. With the luggage that did make it, and our supplies for displays we called a paid ride back to our hotel to check in, evaluate and make a plan for the next day. Sometime Thursday night, the airport called to let us know they located our bags (hours after they said they’d be in), it was late at night, so we had them deliver them to the hotel, only to find out that 1 bag was still missing – the one that we needed, so that we could finish labeling. When I say anything that could go wrong did, but we focused on what we could control, prayed about the rest, and truly took comfort in the fact that whatever happened was what God allowed, and what He allows is for our good. (SPOILER: that bag didn’t arrive until late Friday night).

Day One of the event was “move-in” day, time to set up our booth and meet the other vendors, etc. This was my first market ever, and a major one at that. I was nowhere near prepared, but the community that Unique Markets built was so family based that everything I needed was provided. Carts were shared, to pack display equipment and materials into the venue, tools to put together the displays were shared, laughs, and support was very much present, and the day was such a fun day. We setup what we could, thought about what we would need, and made a plan for the rest of the day, before we left the venue with my sister (who lives in Portland) to go eat lunch, run last minute errands and hang out at the house for dinner. We finally got the call about the last bag during dinner, and had them deliver it to the hotel, so it would be there when we got back.

Day TWO: UNIQUE MARKETS DAY ONE! It was finally here, after all the setbacks, all the difficulties, it was finally the day to sell. We coordinated our outfits with the booth and brand, finalized talking points, strategies, and of course prayed over the day and the people. We set up the last of the product when we arrived, put the extras where we could easily reach them, and used a tag team method to conquer the day. “Are you interested in learning about endocrine safe hair care?” and other similar lines were our attention grabber, some people declined and we let them know it was no problem and to enjoy the market.. most people, however, were curious and we were able to talk to them about my journey with Graves Disease, how I learned about the importance of not just what goes in our body, but on our body.. and the difference, benefits, and key points of Mane Temptation’s products. Every.Single.Person that we talked to made a purchase, and most of them sent their friends to our booth, and they purchased. Some people were from out of town and they ordered online. I left that evening with one worry – what are we going to do tomorrow? … we’d almost sold out of every product!

Day THREE: UNIQUE MARKETS DAY TWO! Day One was phenomenal, after all it took to get here, we had hit my goal to recoup the cost of the trip for both of us. This day was a Sunday, so we made sure to tune into service online while working the market – as it began to get busy, we had to make sure our attention was on the community in front of us, but we kept the spirit, positivity and all that comes with a Sunday morning worship! We SOLD OUT of all of the sets and had a few single products left, that we ended up bartering or gifting to other vendors! We continued to talk to the community about our products, and had some time to take turns walking around to support others.

Unique Markets was the first time I realized that I could do it! That God had helped me created a special product, that what He’d given to me was needed and that I could do what it takes to build the business. I will never forget the conversations that we had, the love that we shared and received, and all of the reassurance that came from every person we encountered! To hear someone say “I’ve been looking for this, I’m so glad I came today,” “This product is needed,” and so many other words of affirmation, confirmation that people have been looking for this product, that it is a need and not just a want, that people felt seen and heard… touched my heart more than any of them know! The reviews and tags and support that came after were so precious too! While the market was such a success, it didn’t come without its own lessons! I learned to not sell myself short and know the market that I was selling in, I prepared more of the personal size because deep down, I didn’t think anyone would buy the large size (that was the first size I sold out of), and everyone inquired about the family size before the personal size. Every person we talked to signed up for our email list, and most never got an email from me, because I didn’t realize that they weren’t being collected due to wifi issues. I was able to get some of them recovered, but it taught me to use a paper sheet or excel list instead.
I’m so grateful for these thoughtful questions, reminding me of the lessons and values that I’ve learned and honed in on over the years! Thinking on these questions has reminded me that success isn’t in the fluff but in the relationship, and vulnerability of showing up without fail – even when it looks like everything is against you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.manetemptation.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manetemptation
• Facebook: Mane Temptation
• Youtube: Mane Temptation
• Other: TikTok: @manetemptation

Image Credits

Isaac Rowry