Hi Jenni, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into natural products? I am originally from Overland Park, Kansas, just southwest of Kansas City. I graduated from the University of Kansas. My boyfriend, Brad, and I did some traveling abroad and moved to South Lake Tahoe for a few years. While I was in Tahoe, I had a job as a physical therapy assistant and it revived the desire I once had to become a nurse. We decided to move to Boulder in 2012 and I started looking at shows in the area. I became a nurse in 2016 and was fortunate to participate in the new graduate nursing program at Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
Only in the past year have I become very interested in natural products. Better late than never, I guess. But I want to be part of the movement to empower others to make better decisions when it comes to their bodies. There is a documentary on Netflix titled Stink that really made me look at what ingredients I put on my skin. From there it evolved into exploring various natural herbal remedies. I’m starting to make my own skin care products because I want to know what ingredients are in those products. Plus, it’s fun to learn about different herbs and how they can be used in different ways.
You are a pediatric nurse. What does this mean? As a pediatric nurse, I can help coordinate the care of children in the hospital. I work in the respiratory department and we have many patients who are severely affected by various diseases. We see many children with a wide range of diagnoses, such as long-term chronic illnesses that require the child to have a tracheostomy to breathe. But I also see healthy children dealing with very serious cases of common insects. I love my job because I get to help the children and families at a stressful time in their lives. The best part is that I get to hang out with kids all day long! I also really enjoy education and get a lot out of teaching the families.
WishGarden has started an Ambassador Program that you are a part of – and you are the recipient of this month’s Ambassador of the Month Award. How is the ambassador work going? I absolutely love it! It’s so much fun to visit colleagues and friends and give them samples. The coolest part so far was when two strangers commented on my post online and I sent them samples. Social media can connect people who would otherwise never have come into contact with each other. I love being a part of sharing with others the different products WishGarden has to offer. What’s even better is that the company is based in Colorado!
You are an aspiring herbalist. How are the investigations going? I recently took a family herbal class in Lafayette, Colorado, at The Little Herbal Apothecary. I have learned so much and I have goals to attend herbal school within the next five years. I want to do something with my nursing and herbal medicine degree later. I don’t know what that will look like, but I want to merge those two passions. The great thing for me is that I am in the right field for integrative healthcare.
Natural products seem to be all the rage these days. Do you think we are witnessing a change in consumer attitudes towards the environment and natural products? I really hope so. There seems to be a huge shift towards more attention to where products come from and how they impact the environment. It will be very interesting to see the change in the coming years. I hope the momentum continues to build.
What is your favorite herb and why? This is a tough one! Right now I’m going to pick one that most people know: Elderberry. I made my first elderberry syrup from fresh berries over the summer and I’m glad I have it on hand during the “ick” season.
Do you have a favorite WishGarden product? Years ago I would buy Kick-Ass Immune. And while it’s still a favorite, I’ve grown to love it Daily immune. I’m excited to see how I feel this breathing season!
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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