Nicole and her family need our help!

Hello! I'm Nicole's friend Rachel, and I'm organizing this for Nicole and her family. If you know Nicole, you know she is a kind, giving soul - a caretaker who puts others first and has supported her family for many years. She does more for her family than anyone I've ever known. She has also been a pillar in the Nashville community through her work as an herbalist, farmer, and friend (yes, she is such a good friend that it is work!).

Now, she and her family need our help (But they'd never ask for it so blame me for hittin' y'all up) ...

She and her husband Nick are both self-employed small business owners, and they both manage to make this work meaningful and community-driven. Nick has his own lawn care business, where he takes care of his neighbors' lawns and assorted outdoor projects. Nicole has her own herbal skincare and beauty brand, Stomping Ground Herbals, that she's poured her heart and soul into for a decade. Not only do they operate two small businesses while taking care of family, but they have owned and operated their own beautiful urban farm in Nashville for many years.

I got to know Nicole in 2017 when I moved back to Nashville. She was the Nashville herbal skincare brand makin' moves - selling at all the coolest events and farmers markets. I started selling my skincare products at some of the same markets as her, and instead of eyeing me suspiciously for being (rightfully) a bit bothered that I had encroached on her territory, she welcomed me with open arms, generosity, and kindness. She was always willing to help me and answer questions, give tips and tricks, and talk with me about the ups and downs of our work.

Over the years, I've been fortunate to get to know Nicole and call her a good friend. She has been a wonderful support and a true friend in uncertain times. In this time, I've also witnessed Nicole and her family go through some of the hardest times I've ever seen anyone go through. They have been through a lot, and I've found myself feeling like it really isn't fair; they are the last people that deserve any of it. What's more, is I have never witnessed them asking for others' help - only them giving their help to others. Nicole is the first person to show up for others, to give when it would seem she should have nothing left (but somehow keeps giving!), to be there when needed. I have watched her be beyond generous, and I've truly learned from her generosity.

Recently, and more specifically, the Mattingly's have been experiencing some really challenging issues with their house that involve their roof. These issues have not only left them having to move out of their house for several weeks-months while repairs are made, but they now have to pay thousands of dollars for repairs. This also comes after not being able to work for several weeks when they both were sick with Covid earlier this summer. As anyone familiar with small business ownership knows, one sickness or period of time when you're unable to work can be detrimental. Nicole and Nick are some of the hardest working people I know, but they've just been bombarded with one thing after another in recent months, and they need to catch a break. They need our help to be able to get out from under this and move forward, so they can continue to care for their community and Nicole's mother.

If you can spare anything to give to these folks that always give to others, I know they would be incredibly touched and really appreciate it.

Any bit helps; thank you so much!