Today we’d like to introduce you to Desmond Patterson.
Desmond, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Oak Cliff and became a 7th-grade entrepreneur throwing newspapers. Kept that hustle until I was a freshman in high school. Got into the street life and jeopardized my athletic scholarship in football. Attended college for three years before I came home working in the cooperate world, still tampering with the streets. God then introduced me to the pager business where my entrepreneurship began to come to life in 1995. In 1997, I was introduced to fragrance oils by Khalil my barber who is now 20 years later like my lil brother/one of my best friends. I took my last and only $700 flew to the east coast and purchased my first order of body oils. 1998, cellphones began to take over and Pagers began to fade out. So, I flooded the city with oils building a clientele. 2001, I stepped out on FAITH. Living a day to day life waking up creating my own stream revenue. Taking my street knowledge and applying it to my fragrance business, building a platform of clients pushing my Faith on an experience rollercoaster. Doing vendor events, setting up in salons, while joining forces with local business owners that allowed me to come into their shops and survive off sales. My career with the oils had begun to take off and there were not enough funds for me to invest in myself but I had to keep going, I was too deep in the oil game. God took me on a journey of high tribulations to set me up for where I am now. Opening up my first store in Dallas on the outskirts of Duncanville next to Jenny’s beauty supply.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it’s been rough, but tough in experience which was preparing me for the journey. Learning financial literacy, discipline, time management, and most of all patience. All these things took me to a space in my life where my struggles became my blueprint.
Universal Purpose “UP” – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I sell and design fragrance oils in both essential and designer scents. Producing lotion and shower gels to match. I carry a very good quality product that’s 90% oil, 10% fragrance and lasts all day. My product contains no water, no alcohol which enables it to penetrate the skin and lasts all day. I specialize in burning oils, car fresheners, burning devices, shea butter, black soaps, black seed oil, and other natural products to help keep people healthy. I’m most proud because my business helps people prosper, and changes them in personal ways as well. I have an economic development program teaching youth and young adults about entrepreneurship. Separating me from the masses by extending my skills in this industry as Mary kay did., but with our young adults/adults. I love branding small businesses with their own scents and using my car scents/burning oils as a fundraiser to provide financial increase to organizations and stability to youth athletic clubs.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My business providing me the freedom to take care of my family and raise my son for 17 years. Being in every element of his life from school to sports, outside activities I haven’t missed a beat. It has brought me the greatest joy!!
Pricing:
- Burning oils/car freshener $5 or 5 for $20
- Body oils $10 some discounted fragrances $5 on sale.
- Burning devices $15 oil included of your choice
- Gift sets with lotions and gels $15 -$50
Contact Info:
- Website: Upbodyproducts.com
- Email: universal02@gmail.com
- Instagram: Universal Purpose
- Facebook: Universal Purpose
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