The Beauty of Success: Mattice Beauty Supply

In the heart of Tacoma, shines a smile a bit brighter than the rest. The epitome of resilience, determination, and success, Mattice Hoyt stands as a force to be reckoned with. With her contagious optimism, Mattice has created a center for success. Mattice Beauty supply is a storefront not just for her, but for other vendors as well. Mattice Beauty Supply is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of community support. As a proud client of Business Impact NW, her story is inspiring us all.

The Unwavering Spirit of Mattice

Mattice Beauty Supply opened after 6 years of planning and preparing. Mattice was driven by a vision to provide her community with essential beauty products and services. From that, she meticulously planned and worked to launch her store. However, just before she was about to launch her grand opening, the Covid-19 Pandemic shut the world down.

The logistics fall out from the pandemic led to empty shelves, disrupted supply chains, and rising costs of goods. On top of all this, rent was still due each month for the empty store.

“Our grand opening was supposed to be March 20^th, 2020, but when I say everything, I mean everything- shelves, the slat walls, the hooks, actual product itself, nothing arrived until the following November,” Mattice states, of the chaos.

With her unrelenting business and rent costs, Mattice was forced to find additional funding to save her business.

Amid those challenges, Mattice was faced with devastating news. Battling cancer, she courageously underwent treatment, including a life changing surgery. Through it all, Mattice remained steadfast in running her business. Mattice refused to let adversity define her future.  Instead, Mattice focused on success and the championing of her community through her business. Mattice wanted to offer an environment for customers to be comfortable asking questions about beauty products. She offered a place for representation and validation in beauty and appearance, especially for those who’ve battled cancer. Mattice also envisioned a place to teach, offer space, and provide beauty products, in one central location- Mattice Beauty Supply.

“I love that I’ve been able to just kind of take my trauma from the experience to make it better for the people experiencing it after me”

Vulnerability In The Hair Industry

As a cancer survivor, Mattice states, “One of the most traumatic things of having cancer, besides hearing the “C” word, was trying to find a wig.” Mattice felt supported by her medical team through her journey. However,  she did not feel that same support within the beauty industry. Dealing with her own hair loss, Mattice went to a store that she’d hoped would help.  “I was by myself in a wig store, and I’m like I need a wig, and they literally looked at me and just said it’s over there,” Mattice reminisced.  Experiencing this situation for the first time, Mattice expected some assistance with fittings, how to choose, hair texture information, upkeep, etc. However, while looking at numerous wigs, braiding hair, and hair pieces, no one offered any support.

Feeling uncomfortable, Mattice bought two wigs to cover up her hair loss and rushed home. “I put them on, and all I can do is cry,” Mattice states, discussing the situation. Emboldened by her own experience, Mattice set out to make a difference. She wanted to make sure no one would ever feel that vulnerable in such a sensitive situation, and vowed to offer personal and heartfelt customer service within her own store.

The Mattice Beauty Supply Difference

A few years into running Mattice Beauty Supply, a pivotal moment with a customer reinstated her vow to be different.  A client came in who was visibly upset about her looks amid her cancer battle. This customer was desperate to continue to look “normal” for her job, while undergoing her cancer treatment. Mattice, recognizing the desperation of the situation, immediately changed her open sign to closed, locked her doors, and sat with the customer, offering water and a compassionate ear.

After sharing their experiences, Mattice invited her to try on wigs in a private setting, explaining how they work, how to fit them, and allowed her customer the privacy and dignity that she was not afforded herself during her own cancer battle. As the client walked out of Mattice Beauty Supply, she mentioned to Mattice that it was the first time that she felt like she could survive her cancer. “It gave me chills, and I knew I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing,” she emphasized. Mattice contines to ensure excellent and personalized customer service, that no one feels alone in their beauty journey.

“It’s important that my customers to feel comfortable.”

Overcoming Obstacles

During her cancer battle, Mattice faced the daunting task of running a small business while also recovering from surgery, and navigating life in a wheelchair. Ever the force of positivity, she was up for the challenge. Thinking back to when she was in the hospital, Mattice was already in the mindset of managing her new lifestyle and making change.

“When I got back here,” Mattice says, “sure it might have been a little harder, but you’re going to have to figure it out. So, I adapted.”

Mattice’s store was re-configured to include a ramp, customized and reinforced for her chair and the store’s specifications. Mattice Beauty Supply boasts accessibility through out, with accessible entrances, a spacious layout for an equitable shopping experience whether using adaptive resources or not, and accessible meeting space. Mattice Beauty Supply is proud to offer a supportive experience for everyone.

Networking With Her Neighbor

As luck would have it, while Mattice was continuing to build and grow her business, her supportive neighbor- Ericka Whitfield, WWBC Business Coach and Trainer at Business Impact NW, would periodically update her about networking opportunities, assistance through Business Impact NW, and eventually, IMPACT Pitch– Business Impact NW’s annual pitch competition.

While initially working with business coaches, Mattice quickly dove into the IMPACT Pitch competition. With the IMPACT Pitch preparation, Mattice was able to develop a more organized and successful, long-term business model. She additionally gained a much deeper understanding of business finances, stating,

“I can do profit loss, but going through IMPACT Pitch and Business Impact NW actually broke it down more. I could really look at it, like how I price my items, and how I’m making a profit, even when they are on sale… I see so many things that have improved within my business just by networking, doing the coaching sessions, and going through the programs.”

In addition to competing in Impact Pitch, Mattice was working with her community behind the scenes, providing vendor space, gathering spaces, and building lasting relationships that were re-defining her small business. With her amazing spirit and community influence, Mattice went on to become the winner of our Community Impact Award for Mattice Beauty Supply.

Mattice is proud to have Ericka as a neighbor, friend, and her coach. After Impact Pitch, they maintained their working relationship. Ericka reaches out about networking events, classes that may interest Mattice, and opportunities that arise for both her business and community.

“Going through the IMPACT Pitch Program gave me four or five tools that helped me financially, with my business.”

The Business Impact NW Journey

Mattice’s journey with Business Impact NW doesn’t end there. Thanks to Ericka, her neighbor and coach, Mattice is now working more directly with her community. Mattice empowers and supports multiple business owners, shares information about Business Impact NW, and is planning to compete at IMPACT Pitch again. Business Impact NW, impressed by her work, extended an invitation for Mattice to help accept a monetary award from a local bank. Much to her surprise,  Mattice was invited onto the court at the Seattle Storm game, to help accept the $500,000 check from U.S. Bank to Business Impact NW, supporting programs and more businesses like Mattice Beauty Supply. Mattice states,

“They could have just accepted the award, but brought out business owners that were going to benefit or have been benefitting from that check.”

Still reeling from the excitement of the previous night, Mattice was met with a surprise customer at her store the next day. The young lady stated that she had seen her store advertised at the Seattle Storm game and wanted to check out the business.

“When they showed me on the court, they actually put my business name on the screen! It’s free marketing,” Mattice exclaims.

A Bright Future

Mattice Beauty Supply is a proof of what can be achieved when determination meets support. Mattice’s ongoing collaboration with Business Impact NW ensures that she will continue to have access to resources and expertise needed to navigate future challenges and seize new opportunities. Her story is truly inspirational, highlighting that with the right support, no obstacles stand in the way.

As we celebrate Mattice’s journey, we also honor all entrepreneurs during Disability Pride Month.  Entrepreneurs, who, despite all odds, continue to fight for their dreams, success, and achieve their business goals. Business Impact NW is proud to support Mattice on her journey, and many others, while fostering a thriving community of empowered and successful business owners.

 

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