Empowerment Through Bold Self-Expression Use of Healthy, Vegan Nail Polish

Empowerment Through Bold Self-Expression Use of Healthy, Vegan Nail Polish

What happens when leadership research meets fashion with conscience? This episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast will take you there with host Bob Blaisse and his guest, Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield.  With her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Nicole shaped Polish Me Unbothered, toward the vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic nail polish brand she has designed not only to flatter every skin tone, but also to honor stories too often left out of mainstream beauty. This conversation blends entrepreneurship, wellness and culture into something both practical and joyful.

You hear Dr. Nicole break down the reasons why removing harmful chemicals from polish matters for long-term health and daily confidence, while considering how inclusive shade development is able to turn a routine manicure into self-recognition. With color favorites—from the bold humor of 'Hot Flash' and the soft nostalgia of 'My Pink Slip Is Showing,' to 'Fly' that reminds us of the '70 slang and 'Fly Like An Eagle,' anthem, nail polish names carry a cultural wink that sparks connection, and does so with formulas that deliver the glossy, chip-resistant finish people want without the baggage they don’t.

If you care about safer beauty, inclusive shades and purpose-driven shopping, this episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast with guest Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield is for you.

Polish Me Unbothered 
PolishMeUnbothered.com
484-262-9282

--- About The Show--- Good Neighbor Podcast is a spotlight on local businesses in and around Delaware County, PA (“Delco” ) and Beyond...  The executive producer and host, Bob Blaisse, is a community sponsorship advocate, business branding specialist, and publisher of several hometown magazines, including: Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, Marple Friends & Neighbors and Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors, mailed monthly to more than 12,000 homes in Western Delaware County, PA, and also available for reading online.
 

Transcript

Welcome To Delco And The Show

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello, Delco. This is Michael Barcan. Welcoming you to the Good Neighbor Podcast, where fans of local businesses and their neighbors come together. It's my pleasure once again to introduce my friend and neighbor, our host, Bob Blaisty.

Meet Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield

SPEAKER_02 0:18

Michael Barcan, thank you very much for that introduction. Again, it's always great to hear your voice. And everybody, welcome back to the Good Neighbor Podcast coming to you from Delaware County, Pennsylvania. And you might ask if you're not from Pennsylvania or if you're listening even outside the U.S., Delaware County, Pennsylvania is just one of 67 counties across the very large state of Pennsylvania. We're in the southeast corner of Pennsylvania, just west of the state of New Jersey, just south of the city of Philadelphia, and really, I guess, north of the state of Delaware, but we're Delaware County lovingly referred to as Delco. That's our shortened form, and everybody knows us by Delco. There's a great Delco vibe. This part of the vibe is the Good Neighbor podcast we're bringing to you. Good neighbor businesses from Delaware County and beyond. Businesses that have been nominated because of their business practices or who they are, who started them, something unique about them. And uh listeners have said, this is somebody, this is something that your listeners would want to know about. So today it's great because hey, bringing in the doctor. We got another doctor in the house here for another episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast. Although this is going to be different, it's not medical, it's healthy in some ways, but you'll find it fun because it's also fashionable. Let me bring to the stage our guest here for the Good Neighbor Podcast today, Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield. Welcome to the program, Dr. Nicole.

SPEAKER_01 1:38

Thank you so much for having me, Bob. It's a pleasure to be here. I really appreciate this opportunity. I hope you're having a great day so far.

From Leadership PhD To Entrepreneurship

SPEAKER_02 1:45

Well, we are, and we're going to have a good fun time here, Dr. Nicole, because uh we've had doctors on the program before, and yet most of the time they're always, you know, uh medical or or even having to do with psychology or even chiropractic. But in this case, it's a bit related to fashion, not your doctor, not your PhD necessarily, but maybe the way you run your business influenced by your background and your PhD. That let's start with that and then we'll surprise everybody of what we're going to talk about here today. What is your PhD in, Dr. Nicole?

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Sure. So I hold a PhD in organizational leadership from Eastern University. So shout out to all the Eastern Eagles. Um, and what I study specifically for my dissertation was the uh experience of black and brown administrators in higher education settings that were predominantly non-black and brown. Um, and I looked at all of yeah.

The Meaning Behind Polish Me Unbothered

SPEAKER_02 2:46

The ability for people in the workplace. So it was that was your was that what they call your dissertation for your yes, that was my dissertation. So leadership is really the degree that you've gotten, and you've taken that into many areas, I'm sure, not just teaching leadership, but probably teaching leadership in business and using the leadership in your own business. I think we're going to surprise everybody, Dr. Nicole, because your um uh product here, your business that you're running right now, I know you have many irons in the fire, but we have a business that's called Polish Me Unbothered. That's the name of your business. It's a little bit cryptic, but of course you hear the word polish me. Is it closer to leadership or is it closer to fashion? Tell me what Polish Me Unbothered is all about.

SPEAKER_01 3:29

So it's really a double entendre because when you think about business, you think about showing up in your most polished version of yourself, right? You're also thinking about um how that looks aesthetically, but also what that means for you internally. So polishing up your skill set, polishing up your communication, polishing up your resume, polishing up the areas that you may need support in to be the best in that particular industry. So um polish has a lot of different meanings, and sometimes people see the name of the business and they think it's Polish. Guess what? Polish people can wear this polish too. It's fine, but it's actually polish me.

Non‑Toxic Vegan Nail Polish Vision

SPEAKER_02 4:12

How are we polishing me from a fashion perspective? Where's the polish coming in?

SPEAKER_01 4:17

So we have a line of, and I'll I'll say it's actually more less fashion and maybe more beauty and empowerment. Um, so I offer a line a line of vegan-friendly, cruelty-free uh nail polish that's non-gel, non-toxic. So it's better for the environment, it's better for our polish wearers, and that aligns with not just fashion and beauty, but also empowerment. Because what we know when we look at the nail polish market, it is geared towards the majority of users who um are not often black and brown women, and certain types of polishes have carcinogens in them that make it unhealthy for women, especially to wear, and they've been banned in other countries. My polish does something on the flip side. We have taken out those harmful, harm, harmful carcinogens so that you have a healthier uh product to use on your nails, on your toes. Um, and it's for all different complexions, all different skin types. And so that's where we're kind of in an intersection between fashion, beauty, and empowerment because we are centering our products on uh really paying recognition to women that often feel overlooked and undervalued, uh, which is what my dissertation helped me to appreciate after three years of studying uh and writing this paper.

Centering Overlooked Women In Beauty

SPEAKER_02 5:50

So well, now I've heard a lot there, and there is a lot there, Dr. Nicole. Uh first you had me at vegan-free, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, you know. So it's it's certainly made without um any animals being at risk, and and vegan-friendly, I should say, um, that that really meets the demand of a lot of people. A lot of people want to make sure that they're um they're they're cultural and and uh health and and really political in some ways, uh, moral issues are covered in their products that they buy. But you know, they're starting with health, really. And and this is big too. That it sounds like what you've done with bothered me unbothered is to be unbothered by those uh types of manufacturing uh methods that you don't want to contribute to, but even more so, you don't want to put nail polish on your nails that are made with um carcinogens or things that are even not good for your skin. You you that meets everybody's need, uh I think. But you went another step further for the particular woman that maybe is is not getting the right kind of product to match skin tones, I think I heard you say. And so tell me a little more about that. Um, are is will your polishes work for all skin tones?

SPEAKER_01 7:03

Absolutely. So, what I've learned since launching this brand is that I must be the universal complexion because wherever I go, people say, Oh, let me see it on your skin. And I could be completely the opposite side of the spectrum, but I'll put it on you know my nails to show them how great it can look on their nails. Um, and so our colors are very vibrant, very beautiful, but it's really our names that speak to some of the cultural nuances that not just black and brown, but primarily black black and brown women experience. So we also have names that are more generically um targeted to folks. So, for example, I know this is a radio, it's a podcast, but the color I'm wearing today is called Hot Flash. So imagine having a hot flash. What color comes to mind? A pretty deep, vibrant, bright red, and that's the color that I'm wearing.

Shades, Stories, And Cultural Names

SPEAKER_02 8:01

I can see it, and I can see it on the nails. Well, that I mean, I want to hear more of those colors. Let me just remind the audience. Um, uh, our guest today on the Good Neighbor podcast is Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield. And uh Dr. Rayfield, who's got her PhD in in leadership, um, has been leading her life through causes that she believes in and then leading others to products that they believe in. And we've heard how these uh nail polish um products that Dr. Nicole has brought to the market uh are not using any kind of uh animal uh you know uh parts or or or any animals are in danger to create the uh nail polish that she sells through her brand, Polish Me Unbothered. And if you'd like to see Dr. Nicole, you can see her and see her website by following it at polishmeunbothered.com. And you'll be able to see the products. Dr. Nicole, that was pretty cool. That the naming kind of matches the feeling of the cover. This is only audio, but let's try it again. Give me a couple more of the colors that Polish Me Unbothered is known for that people find very interesting and seem to match right up with the color's name.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

Sure. So one of the things we found is that the color and how it resonates with our audience can be generational to some extent. So our number one seller is a really pretty light pink, almost like a French manicure pink. It looks like uh strawberry ice cream. And that color is called My Pink Slip is Showing. So it's a play on words about you know, having a day at work where you might get a pink slip. And then also, if you grew up in a certain era wearing dresses, if your slip fell down, someone would pull you to the side and say, Hey, your slip is showing. So my pink slip is showing um always gets a chuckle from those that are like 40 and up. Um, the younger generation, they just think it's a pretty color. That one doesn't hit them in the same way. But if they are an Eagles fan, we have an Eagles green color called Fly Like an Eagle. They get that, you know, really easily. Um, but it's actually not fly like an eagle, it's fly, period, like an eagle, because fly is a very um specific word from like the 1990s, where um urban youth would say, Oh, that's really cool, that's fly. So it's it's it's paying homage to that generation, and then I think another color that is also generally um relevant is a beautiful bright orange color called it's giving. And so this is a phrase that was not part of my generation growing up, but it's definitely something young people say now it's giving, you know, whatever it's giving, it's giving it because it's our number three seller. Um, next to a beautiful lavender called Pray For Me. And what's really interesting about the Pray For Me color is that every person that gravitates towards it and picks it up, I always say, Are you a mom? And they say yes. And it's just they know that they need that color in their life. So I call that the mom color, pray for me. So that's those are some of the names that we have.

Where To Find The Brand Online

Pop‑Ups, Festivals, And Events

SPEAKER_02 11:14

Dr. Nicole, that is just I think what happened here is uh all of us listening would uh want to go to the website now to match up what we have in our mind with the colors I'm sure we can see. And and I would really suggest to everybody listening that they do go to your website not just to see the um nail polish bottles and colors and prices and the way they can order online, but really to kind of get a glimpse into you, a further glimpse. Everybody, I have to say, this is not a young entrepreneur starting her dream business of selling nail polish. This is a very seasoned um entrepreneur that's been uh published, uh been on TV, you know, won a numerous awards, and they're all listed, they're all there on your website, Dr. Nicole. And I think everybody, when they go to your website at Polish Me Unbothered, they'll be surprised a bit because it's really a lot of you there, a lot of mission to what you do there, and a lot of purpose in the way that you're selling your nail polish online, but really for the good of um your community and the community at large. Um, really a great story. I mean, it really is uh a wonderful story. Doctor, is there anything that is coming up in the near future that would be uh new products or that you'll be seen? You'll be your book is gonna be out or your TV program is gonna be out. Tell me, is there anything happening in your life that is uh relative to the business, so to speak?

Philabundance Partnership And Impact

SPEAKER_01 12:33

Yes, so March is actually our one-year anniversary, March 10th. This is also the season that vending opportunities start to open up for us again. Um, people kind of hibernate in January and February, and then it starts to get a little bit nicer, a little bit warmer. So we are starting our vending cycle. We will be popping up all over the Delaware County and Philadelphia area. Um, our first event is actually um in a few days, and then we also book really big events. So we'll be at the Juneteenth Festival out in West Philadelphia. We love to do fall fests in Ridley Park and um the surrounding um areas in Delaware County. So on our website, we have an events page that will tell you where we're going to be, um, and where you can either see me or one of my six amazing staff uh running our beautiful table or our glorious tent that we have. And we're currently running a special promotion where we've partnered with Phil Abundance. So for certain colors that we sell, a hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to Phil Abundance so that they can support our families in our community. So we decided to extend that program all the way till June, but I have a feeling I'm gonna push it all the way for the rest of the year until those particular colors sell out because I really um have a heart for people that are in need and um hunger and and food and um fashion. That's just a mixing thing.

Closing, Slogan, And Listener Nomination

SPEAKER_02 14:14

Isn't that great? I mean, listen, it's coming out really loud and clear, Dr. Nicole. What a wonderful uh mission that you have. Among your many pursuits, you're helping people feel better about their appearance, and everybody should. Uh, but to do it in a special way, you know, a vegan-free and cruelty-free manner with products that are made safely and for safe use, your Polish Meunbothered business is a great business, a great business name, and a wonderful business product for for your market. Uh ladies, if you're interested and men, if you're interested in polish, nail polish, make sure that you go and get a chance to see Dr. Nicole Rayfield on her website. See all the awards that she's won, but get to know her through her website and get to know her um through the products. But if you'd like to even speak to her, let me give out your number. May I, Dr. Nicole, give out your number? It's six, excuse me, it's 484-262-9282. And again, everybody, the website is polishmeunbothered.com. Get a chance to meet Dr. Nicole G. Rayfield. What a great guest and great product. We're just so happy that you joined us today on the Good Neighbor Podcast. Thanks for being our guest today, Dr. Nicole.

SPEAKER_01 15:24

Thank you so much for having me. And to all the listeners, I hope that you have a great day. And remember our slogan, We break barriers, not nails.

SPEAKER_00 15:36

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast, hosted by Bob Blasey. This is Michael Barkan, inviting everyone to get on the Good Neighbor team. Nominate your favorite local business to be featured on an upcoming episode by going to gnpdelco.com or by calling Bob at 610 557 3745.