A North Queensland mum has revealed how she went from being a taekwondo master to developing groundbreaking beauty products that are amazed women.
At 37 years old, a mother of one, wife, full-time worker, and now Founder and CEO of OG Ponytail, Renee's life is a testament to the limitless possibilities that can be achieved through passion and dedication.
Born and raised in Townsville, Renee grew up with values of discipline and perseverance thanks to her family’s heavy involvement in South Pacific Taekwondo.
“Everyone in my family was doing it, but it was my older brother who inspired me. I saw his talent and wanted to do whatever he did.”
It's clear that her brother's talent and the family's commitment to martial arts sowed the seeds of her own dedication.
Currently a 5th Grade Master Instructor and the only woman to hold such a prestigious rank in South Pacific Taekwondo, Renee’s achievements in the martial arts community are significant.
Next year, she aims to earn her sixth degree, a goal that underscores her continued drive for excellence.
OG Ponytail Renee Nightingale is a Level 5 Master Instructor. Photo: Josephine Carter
“My father is a Grandmaster, one of the highest ranked in the Southern Hemisphere,” Lenny explains, highlighting the family traditions deeply rooted in their lifestyle. “He's the very definition of a fighter and he's my role model.
“My mother is a first-degree black belt and my brother is a master instructor.
“My son is also training now, my father holds a very prestigious position in South Pacific Taekwondo and many people have been influenced by the way he teaches.
“My father taught me that it doesn't matter if you're a woman or a man, it's how you think, how you behave and how you believe in yourself that matters. Maybe this is why I chose OG. My father never saw obstacles because he said there was only a solution.”
Many are often surprised to learn that the soft-spoken Lenny is a highly-ranked Taekwondo master.
“I think a lot of people are really shocked and are starting to realise there's more to me than meets the eye. I was brought up to be polite, respectful and have etiquette and I only talk about my achievements when it's necessary,” she humbly said.
The Origins of the OG Ponytail
Renee's journey from martial arts master to beauty innovator began with her personal struggle and triumph over fears around hair extensions.
“I've been wearing clip-in extensions since they first came on the market.
“I struggled to find a product that would stay in place and be discreet during my Taekwondo training.
“So I developed my own product and solved a gap in the market.”
The unique selling point of the OG ponytail is its discreetness and safety.
The inspiration behind the OG ponytail was also very personal.
Renee recalls experiences where others would tug on her hair extensions, embarrassing her and making her anxious that her hairpiece would be visible.
“So I took my clip-in hair extensions, removed them, reconstructed them, and created my own original ponytail. It was a success because no one knew I had a hairpiece on,” Renee proudly proclaims, highlighting the innovation behind her product.
“In fact, people would comment on how full and thick my hair looked and ask me how I managed to keep it so healthy… that's when I realised I was on to something good.”
The unique selling point of the OG ponytail is its discreetness and safety.
“The biggest difference with traditional ponytail extensions is that they don't wrap around the base of your ponytail. This is revolutionary, and no one will notice you're wearing a hairpiece.”
One of the most rewarding things for Renee is the genuine surprise and amazement people express when they realize she has hair extensions on.
“People believe this is my natural hair. They can't believe it's a hairpiece!” she says, feeling a sense of accomplishment that her products blend so seamlessly with natural hair.
Renee acknowledges that there have been challenges in starting and growing the business.
“Every step is a challenge, the only difficult part was the actual idea and concept of OG, which was the easy part.
“This whole journey has been challenging – filing patents and trademarks, launching influencers and e-commerce – but it's all worth it because I love the product and believe in the concept so much.”
Balancing multiple roles
Balancing your roles as an entrepreneur, martial artist and mother is no easy feat.
Renee juggles her responsibilities well, carefully prioritizing her time.
“I prioritise my time. I wake up and I train or I work on OG, or I work full time, come home and be a mum, do taekwondo and do OG in the evening. I'm always prioritising and using the triage method to decide what to prioritise and what can wait,” she reveals.
This structured approach allows Renee to effectively manage her responsibilities.
Despite the demands on her time, Renee finds moments to relax through her Taekwondo practice, which she describes as “Zen.”
Renee Nightingale's family are passionate about taekwondo. Photo: Evan Morgan
“I stop thinking and just think about taekwondo in that moment,” she says. “The way my body moves, the feeling of the technique, it helps me center myself, it helps me feel confident, it helps me remember who I am.”
This habit not only helps her stay centered, but also strengthens the discipline and resilience that are essential on an entrepreneurial journey.
Reflecting on the lessons he learned along the way, Renee emphasizes the importance of persistence and intuition.
“The biggest lesson is to never give up.
“South Pacific Taekwondo has taught me to follow and trust my intuition and that there are no limitations or obstacles, only lessons to be learned and challenges to be overcome,” she says.
This mindset played a key role in getting OG Ponytail to market, overcoming patent and trademark challenges.
Going forward, Renee looks forward to expanding her product line and working with major beauty suppliers such as Sephora.
Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, especially working parents, is to believe in your vision and follow through despite doubts.
“Anything is possible. It all depends on how much you want it and how much you believe in it.”
“I question it every day, but I also tell myself to never give up. I have a product that solves a problem, and if there's something I don't understand, I can learn.”
Renee also applied for a Spark Biz Grant.
To win the grant, she is urging the community to vote, with voting closing on June 30th.
The $10,000 grant will be strategically allocated to improve OG Ponytail’s marketing and advertising efforts and to enhance search engine optimization of the company’s website.
To vote for Renee, visit Spark Business' voting page here.
