Meet Nicole Beal | Co-Founder | Blackwood Premium

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Beal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
One of my favorite quotes is “Everything happens for a reason.” This saying is the backbone of my life philosophy and I live by this mantra daily. It helps to keep me focused on the positive, and it empowers me to trust my intuition and take calculated risks trusting that some good will be the result. Thinking this way helps me to look for the good in every situation… especially in those moments where the “good” may be the most challenging to find. If you believe in the idea that everything happens for some higher purpose, you begin to see things differently, and that can help you to better cope with and navigate through life’s difficult moments. Aristotle believed, and I agree, that all our life experiences are “designed to shape and reform [us] into the ultimate and highest version we can ever imagine ourselves to be.” I trust that every experience, good or “bad” will ultimately make me a stronger, more confident version of myself who is prepared for whatever is ahead.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Blackwood Premium was launched in May 2021 offering collections of eco-friendly, chic fashion accessories crafted with reclaimed wood. Our tagline is “Sustainability & Style Simplified”, and we promote our pieces as being “fun, fashionable and fierce!”

What’s different about us though is that we launched the brand with more than revenue/profit generation in mind. We also wanted to use the platform to give back and better our community. So, in addition to offering stylish eco-friendly pieces, we have also committed to planting a tree with every purchase as a means of replenishing our eco-system and increasing our positive impact on it.
We also use our brand as a platform to support people in our culture and community in the pursuit of their purpose/passion. We have worked with aspiring models, photographers, and other creatives to assist them with getting positive exposure for their brands, and we remain open to future collaborations with other like-minded individuals/businesses.

The journey to where we are today business-wise has not been an “easy” one – there is a lot that goes into launching and establishing a new brand. But we describe the process as a “labor of love!” We have enjoyed every step, peak and valley because we know that our business is aligned with our purpose. As the saying goes, “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”. We have found that to be true! It is remaining focused on this purpose that helps us push through the challenging times and keeps us celebrating the good ones. We are proud of what we have accomplished to date, highly appreciative of all our supporters, and extremely excited about what the future holds!

Lessons learned along the way? There’ve been many! Some of the key ones are:

1) Do not underestimate the power of your circle of influence! Seeking out and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is critical when building a business or pursuing any positive goal. Not only can your circle be a source of inspiration and encouragement, but the shared resources and connections provided by this network can prove to be invaluable!

2) Time management is paramount! Whether you are a solopreneur or have a team working under you, knowing how to prioritize your time effectively is key! It helps to ensure that you are executing on the important things (first things first) and minimizes what “falls through the cracks” so growth can be the result. A largely overlooked aspect of good time management is the importance of prioritizing time for personal/self-care. The mind and body need time to recover to keep performing at a high level. So, it is important to block time for proper rest, exercise, and any extra-curricular activities that you enjoy. Balance is key!

3) Patience and persistence! In this technology driven age, instant gratification has become the expectation. People tend to give up and move on to the next pursuit when things don’t go a certain way within a relatively short amount of time. But we believe that anything worth doing is worth taking the time to do well. Before a tower can be built, it takes time to construct a foundation strong enough to withstand the enormity that will be built on it. So, when working to build anything of substance, it is important to adopt the right mindset at the outset. Be patient, consistent and persistent! Acknowledge and celebrate ALL your victories along the way as positive reinforcement. And in moments of discouragement, take the time to look at the complete picture of your journey so you can recognize just how far you’ve come.

In the end, we want the world to know that Blackwood Premium is a purpose-driven brand seeking to make a positive impact, and that supporting our brand means you can LOOK GOOD in our chic, stylish accessories, DO GOOD by helping us give back to our eco-system and community, all of which will ultimately help you to FEEL GOOD! #lookgooddogoodfeelgood

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is no shortage of entertainment options in Miami! One of the “must do’s” on our itinerary would be a Sunset Catamaran Cruise across Biscayne Bay to view the celebrity homes on Star Island and the beautiful Miami skyline at twilight, all while enjoying unlimited drinks and snacks (Playtime Watersports). We would also enjoy sunrise yoga on the sands of Miami Beach, followed by scrumptious brunch at Vista Restaurant – a chic eatery under the famed Bohdi tree at Upper Buena Vista. And, of course, we would have to take a drive through the Florida Keys to experience the magnificent views crossing the 7-mile bridge, eating fresh-caught seafood, and delicious authentic key lime pie sitting waterfront at The Big Chill in Key Largo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Earl Randell is my partner, co-founder of our company, Blackwood Premium, and the person that I credit most. His unending belief in me is an incredible source of motivation, and his strength of character and leadership inspires me and those around him daily. We work together as a team in all aspects of life. We share ideas, aspirations, vision, mindset, complementary strengths, and a passion for growth and giving back. We fully support and encourage each other in our individual pursuits, as well as ventures we pursue together – whatever we believe is aligned with the fulfillment of our ultimate purpose. He brings out the best in me, and vice versa, and we believe that together we are a dynamic force.

Website: https://blackwoodpremium.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwoodpremium

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwoodpremium

Youtube: http://bit.ly/blackwoodpremium

Image Credits
Photographer: Josh Eskridge