Meet: Altimese Nichole!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
I am Altimese Nichole, Co-founder & President of NicholeNicole Vintage Boutique and a brand strategist for global brands.

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
My friend and business partner (Nicole Mercedes) and I have always been close since the age of 14. We’ve experienced life together-- through highschool, college ( twice), marriages, and now children. While in my mid-twenties, I stopped caring about the fashion trends and just did my own thing. I found myself sharing my love for individual style with my friend and business partner, Nicole daily.  Surprisingly, the vision of our boutique was birthed by our husbands and the planning/building process started shortly after.
I want to shift my generation and my family and start the foundation springboard that will allow my children’s babies to begin their lives not with financial burdens—but with true freedom; owing no man (or woman) nothing but to love them.

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
My advice is to trust God and his plan--- then go. Focus on your steps, not the big picture because it can get overwhelming if you keep your eyes on the big picture. Concentrate on taking one step at a time and you will see that God will take care of the rest.

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
Very early in my career, I experienced I situation where my manager openly expressed jealousy toward me. I desired a promotion but I kept getting turned down after making it to the final round. I couldn’t understand why and then I realized it was company policy that managers speak to one another internally before the final offer. I prayed. I cried, then prayed more. He told me to clean my out desk and write my resignation letter before getting an offer.  I wrote the letter, put a date on it, saved it in my files and cleaned my desk. It was late one night when everyone left the office I was literally shaking with fear and my weeping echoed in the empty office. I didn’t understand and I didn’t want anyone to notice my empty desk—but I kept going. I drowned out the noise of opinions and self- doubt and  I finally got promoted to a role that fulfilled a big dream of mine. The offer came a few days after the date I wrote on the resignation letter saved in my files. It was such a clear reminder that what is yours—no one on this earth can take it away from you. God’s plan will happen on this earth even if we derail, take side streets, or decide to stop at the pity party station. His word is true—just trust him, drown out the noise (even if it comes from yourself), and go.

What is next for your brand/business in 2016?
With the recent launch of NicholeNicole Vintage Boutique, I realized that every single role throughout my career has prepared me for this moment. I was in PR for 7 years and transitioned to marketing—and have led social strategies for top Fortune 500 companies with global recognition. In the midst of launching the boutique with my partner (Nicole Mercedes), I am also starting a brand coaching business that helps women entrepreneurs learn the power of proper branding and  writing my first book, (to be released in 2017).

​How can readers connect with you online and through social media?
Follow the boutique on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @ShopNNBoutique
Contact me at www.altimesenichole.com and follow me everywhere @AltimeseNichole