Nicole Oliver doesn’t just wear many hats — she designs the entire wardrobe

One moment she’s building AI that actually understands human needs. The next, she’s designing beauty products that challenge the industry’s idea of inclusivity. None of it feels like a pivot. It’s all part of the same through-line — identifying what’s missing, and then building something better.

In this interview with Hinton Magazine, Nicole talks with precision, not performance. She speaks openly about illness, motherhood, identity and the cost of creating things that matter. What emerges isn’t a profile — it’s a portrait of a woman with sharp instincts, sharper standards, and zero interest in playing by someone else’s rules.

She’s not in the business of self-promotion. She’s in the business of fixing what shouldn’t still be broken.

Before we talk business, tech or beauty, who is Nicole Oliver when the titles are stripped away?

At the heart of everything, I am a mother, wife, a survivor, and someone who leads with faith and purpose. Life has shaped me in ways I never expected. From grief, battling cancer, to rebuilding after major setbacks, those experiences taught me to hold on to what really matters. I love deeply, I believe strongly, and I work hard for the people and causes I care about. When all the titles are stripped away, I am simply a woman who refuses to give up and who sees purpose in every experience.

Has your path always had this kind of momentum behind it, or was there a moment that lit the fire?

There was a defining moment. I was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma and went through two years of cancer treatment. That experience shifted my entire perspective. It made me realize I couldn’t keep waiting for the perfect time to pursue my vision. I had to act now. That season lit a fire in me that still burns today. It gave me the clarity to move with urgency, to lead with intention, and to create solutions that truly matter.

But none of it would be possible without the steady support of my husband, Jamaal. He has given me the freedom to dream, to build, and to leave a legacy. His belief in me has been one of the greatest gifts of my life, and I carry that with me in everything I create.

You move effortlessly between industries like wellness, AI, beauty, and publishing. Where does that kind of versatility come from?

It comes from experience, resourcefulness, and the need to adapt. Life never gave me just one path, so I learned to become flexible. Each industry I’ve stepped into came with its own learning curve, but I stayed focused on solving problems and helping people. Once you understand your purpose, the tools and industries just become vehicles. I don’t limit myself to one lane. I go wherever the need is, and I bring my full self with me.

Let’s talk BotanyPath. Was there a personal moment that made you realize you wanted to reshape the way people think about wellness?

Yes. During cancer treatment, I started looking into natural remedies to help support my healing. I wasn’t trying to replace traditional medicine, but I wanted to better understand how I could care for my body from the inside out. That personal journey introduced me to the world of herbal wellness, but I quickly realized how overwhelming and inaccessible it could be. I didn’t have an herbalist to turn to for guidance, and the truth is, most people don’t. There are fewer than 250 registered herbalists in the entire U.S., which makes reliable guidance hard to come by. That’s one of the reasons I created BotanyPath. I wanted to make it easier for everyday people to explore herbal supplements with confidence, clarity, and trustworthy support, even if they didn’t have access to a professional.

Ask Herbie is an AI supplement advisor with a human touch. What was the hardest part about blending empathy with tech?

The hardest part was making Herbie feel like a guide, not a robot. When someone is sharing their health concerns, they need more than a recommendation. They need to feel heard. Building Herbie meant finding the balance between intelligence and warmth. We had to make sure it could answer questions accurately while still creating a supportive experience. Designing a tech product that feels like it cares is not easy, but that was the goal from the beginning.

Medvient tackles a very real and complex challenge in healthcare. What’s the story behind building something in a space most people overlook?

I spent over 20 years working in medical billing, coding, and revenue cycle management. I saw firsthand how much time and money small practices were losing because of outdated systems. It was heartbreaking to see doctors drowning in paperwork and missing out on revenue because of administrative overload. I wanted to build something that made their lives easier and their businesses stronger. That’s how Medvient was created. It is a complete solution that uses AI to streamline documentation, coding, billing, and claims in one seamless platform. I built it for the people who are often forgotten in healthcare technology conversations.

Your new wig collection is both personal and powerful. How did the concept first come to life, and who is it really for?

The inspiration actually came from my daughter, Ariel. One day she looked at my initial wig lineup and pointed out that there weren’t any styles that looked like her natural texture. That conversation hit me hard…because she was right. And it made me realize how many women and girls with coily, textured hair are still underrepresented, even in spaces that claim to be inclusive.

That moment led to the creation of the Natural Goddess Collection, a line of affordable wigs and hair extensions that realistically mimic natural textures and styles. It’s protective, yes, but more than that, it’s personal. It’s for women who want to see themselves reflected in beauty products. It’s for those who want versatility without sacrificing identity. This collection is for my daughter, for me, and for anyone who deserves to feel seen, beautiful, and fully themselves.

The origin of the Natural Goddess Collection continues to drive the inspiration behind my newest wig collection. These new additions are made from 100% human hair, designed to be ultra-realistic, affordable, and true to the natural textures we’ve so often seen left out. Every piece is a celebration of authenticity and a reminder that real beauty starts with embracing who you are.

You wrote Magical Me, Magical Hair for your daughter, but its message has clearly resonated with many. What does that book mean to you now that it's out in the world?

That book is so close to my heart. My daughter once told me she wished her hair looked like her classmates’, and that moment stayed with me. I knew I had to create something that showed her how magical her natural hair really is. What started as a personal story has become a source of empowerment for other children too. Seeing little girls read it and smile, or hearing parents say their kids finally feel proud of their curls, reminds me why I wrote it. It’s more than a book. It’s a message of self-love and acceptance that I hope lives on for generations.

You’re working at the intersection of innovation and identity. When you look across everything you’re doing, what connects it all?

The common thread is empowerment. Whether I’m building a healthcare platform, designing a beauty product, or writing a children’s book, my goal is the same. I want people to feel seen, supported, and capable of making informed decisions. Everything I create is designed to make life easier, more expressive, and more authentic. It is not about being in different industries. It is about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, in the spaces where they need it most.

How do you personally define success, and has that definition changed over the years?

It has absolutely changed. For a long time, success meant stability, a paycheck, a promotion, a secure path. But life showed me that none of those things guarantee happiness or impact. Now, success means creating something that outlives me. It means helping someone, inspiring a child, or making someone feel like they matter. Success is being present for my family, staying aligned with my values, and building things that solve real problems. If I can look back and say I helped people feel stronger, loved, and more seen, then I have succeeded.

Let’s imagine a future where all your projects have evolved exactly as you hoped. What does that world look like, and who’s thriving in it?

In that world, wellness is personalized and accessible to everyone. Ask Herbie is in wellness stores and online, helping people confidently explore natural health solutions. Medvient is being used by practices nationwide, giving doctors and staff back their time and their peace of mind. The beauty industry reflects real diversity, and my wigs are helping women of all backgrounds feel empowered to show up as themselves. Magical Me, Magical Hair is a staple in schools and libraries, helping young girls fall in love with who they are. And behind all of it is a community of women, survivors, and innovators who are thriving because they finally had the tools, stories, and support they deserved.

What Nicole Oliver is doing isn’t reactive. It’s structural.

Every platform, every collection, every carefully engineered solution is answering a question that’s been ignored for too long — usually by people who don’t live the problem. That’s what makes her work different. It doesn’t arrive with noise. It lands with precision.

This interview didn’t reveal a brand strategy. It revealed a mindset — one built on experience, conviction, and the refusal to accept things as they are.

Nicole isn’t aiming for visibility. She’s aiming for change. And if you look at what she’s already built, she’s not just aiming. She’s doing it.