Meet Nicole Goode

 

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

Nicole, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Since I could remember, I wanted to design. As a child, I played with Legos and KNEX. I enjoyed breaking stuff down and then putting it back together. I always wanted to use my hands for something creative. I drew a lot as a child and it was almost always architectural monuments; staples in the architectural community. Naturally, I gravitated towards architecture in my college studies. During this time, something in myself shifted. I became less aware of the beauty that architecture and design once created for me and more prone to thinking I had no clue what I was doing there. Some of these thoughts were true…I was still learning and growing in the craft. But some of my thoughts, were based on the demand and bully culture that architecture school had become…most of which came from the staff believing that they were creating “thick skin” in us. I began to doubt , second guess, or over analyze every design I created not realizing this would lead me to do the same thing in adulthood.

When I hit my 30s, I continued working for architectural firms but began to really hone in on my jewelry design skills. I used architecture as means to begin creating pieces that represented a part of me but also told stories. Again, though I had an idea of what I was doing, having done research, and also praying, I began to doubt what God had spoken over me in regards to my business. Had I really heard properly? Was this a portion of my ministry? Was I making it up? Though these thoughts swirled through my head, like wild fire I pushed through them. I began to develop a richness for Christ’s word and truly understanding that the ministry He placed in me was bigger than I could have imagined and it wasn’t meant for me but for others. Once I understood that fully, I began to think differently. I can’t say that I have it all figured out but I do know Who does and I lean into that more than I lean into self doubt. God is still doing a work in regards to it but I see the barriers breaking down that once were so high and because of that I know I am right where He wants me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My brand came about when I was in college. One summer, my mom asked if I wanted to create jewelry. She knew I loved working with my hands and thought I would be good at it. Little did I know but she had actually prayed about it before pitching the idea to me. From there, I began to make beads. The clay, the oven, etc. I had all of the things and was quite literally making all of the things. Necklaces, bracelets, you name it. The pieces were chaotic but structured…imagine Frank Gehry but a necklace. When we changed our name due to copyright issues, God began to show me a different path. This path was more organized, more refined. I was still making earrings, necklaces and bracelets but there was a simplicity to the design and I think I displayed that simplicity in my life as well. God grew me along with the design (the Potter and the clay).

In this season, The Lord gave me the complete blueprint for what the business is to look like and what the earring is to look like. Our currently design template is a classic hoop with a luxurious unique flair. I am excited to show the world what God has placed on my heart.

I am currently working at an architectural firm full time but putting an emphasis on my luxury earring business after hours. One thing about doing that is some days I am exhausted after work. To look at a screen all day and then to go home, cook, clean, and create is tough, but I LOVE being able to make and design these earrings. Right now, I am working on creating a way for luxury earring design to be my full time career.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One quality that has had a lasting impact on my journey, is knowing my worth. Understanding that what I put out and the confidence I do or don’t exude is being seen by others. It is important for others to see my worth as I see it not as a prideful matter but so that they understand that this confidence is not my own. This light shining is not my own. It comes solely from the Lord. It allows me to set my pricing properly. It allows me to market properly. It allows me to reach out to other influencers and ask for a collaboration. Knowing that my worth is not built on people, places or things has been an important factor in my business journey.

I would also say, walking in integrity is something that has impacted my journey. Allowing my yes to mean yes and my no to mean no. Doing what I say I will do but also giving myself and others grace is the mark is missed. In the past, I sought to people please. Being liked or perceived in a certain was important, however, KNOWING what God has placed inside of me allows me to walk in a confidence that is not my own.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest areas of growth or improvement in the past 12 months has been (and is ongoing) forgiveness, healing, and surrender. There are plenty of stories to go into when talking about these things. Truly understanding that all of these things are a process. A process that can only be journeyed through with God’s mercy, grace and loving kindness. Allowing Him in to see my heart, has been eye opening for me in a sense that I now have a clear view of how beautiful God truly is in His nature. This has helped me in the way I view myself and others around me. It has helped me understand where God is taking my business and how He wants it to operate.

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Image Credits

Megan Easterday

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