You don’t need to map out every step. Set a clear end goal, then take one step at a time. The rest of the journey will naturally unfold.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jen Podany.
Jen Podany, the innovative founder of Bluestone Sunshields, combines her expertise as a licensed esthetician with her entrepreneurial spirit to revolutionize sun protection. Passionate about skincare and health, her creations reflect a deep understanding of beauty and functionality. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jen is a dedicated mother of three, balancing the demands of business with the joys of family life.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Mycareer began in healthcare at the Children’s Hospital in Omaha, NE. From there, I pursued my esthetics license and worked at some of the top med spas in Los Angeles, CA. It was during my time there that I recognized a need for privacy and sun protection for patients who had undergone invasive treatments, and that’s how the idea for Bluestone Sunshields was born.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
One of the most intriguing episodes in my career occurred during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the urgent need, we swiftly adapted our manufacturing process to produce droplet protection shields, aiming to donate them to frontline providers struggling to procure adequate PPE. Initially, this endeavor began as a modest personal investment. However, before I realized, we were inundated with requests from hundreds of doctors, nurses, and other frontline professionals seeking aid. The initiative rapidly gained traction, and to our surprise, it was highlighted in numerous publications. Thanks to the overwhelming support and contributions from the community, we raised over $25,000 in donations and successfully donated more than 5,000 PPE items. This experience underscored a valuable lesson for me: genuine endeavors rooted in pure intentions often yield the most rewarding outcomes.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
In the early stages of my career, one of the most impactful mistakes I made was not trusting my intuition when it came to certain individuals. I’ve always believed in the good in people, and naturally, I want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. However, this optimism, while largely a strength, led to a significant misjudgment on my part.
However, from this experience, I learned a valuable lesson: Always trust your intuition. It’s there for a reason. While it’s essential to be open-minded and collaborative, it’s equally crucial to protect oneself and be aware of the motives of those around us. This doesn’t mean becoming cynical or guarded but rather being discerning and understanding that while daily mistakes are a part of growth, it’s the personal ones that shape our character and resilience. Now, I approach professional relationships with a more balanced perspective, valuing trust but also listening keenly to my intuition.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
Turning our attention to our primary focus: health and wellness, the work I’m doing with Bluestone Sunshields is making a significant impact on a global scale. What initially began as a vision to offer both privacy and sun protection has evolved into a profound mission of assisting individuals, especially those grappling with conditions like cancer or extreme sun sensitivity. We’ve forged partnerships with numerous organizations to amplify our impact. Beyond the product, I am fervently passionate about creating partnerships with purpose and inspiring mothers to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each.
1 . Utilize the Emotional Guidance Scale: Harness this tool to better understand and navigate your emotions, ensuring that you lead with positive intentions.
2 . Identify What Elevates Your Vibrations: Recognize the simple elements in life that boost your mood and energy, such as listening to uplifting music.
3 . Shift Energy in Moments of Anxiety: When feeling overwhelmed or procrastinating, take a step back and engage in activities that help you recalibrate, like exercise or spending time in nature.
4 . Prioritize Healthy Relationships: Ensure that your closest relationships enrich your life, offering support and positivity. Regularly evaluate these relationships to ensure they add value.
5 . Go With Life’s Flow: Embrace life’s uncertainties, knowing that things may not always go as planned. Adopting a flexible attitude can lead to unexpected and enriching experiences.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start a movement that would bring the greatest amount of wellness to the most people, it would be one that empowers individuals to identify and alleviate stress in their environment. I firmly believe that when you are passionate and inspired by what you do, you can achieve successes beyond what you imagined. Assisting others in finding that passion and purpose is deeply inspiring to me and creates a chain reaction of wellbeing.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
1) Seek advice only from those with lives you’d be willing to switch with. If someone isn’t living a life that resonates with you, their advice is probably not worth taking.
2) When something excites you, it’s a signal. Going within is the best indication if it is a right step for you.
3) You don’t need to map out every step. Set a clear end goal, then take one step at a time. The rest of the journey will naturally unfold.
4) Being the first doesn’t mean being wrong. Just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it’s not a valid approach. Everyone’s journey is unique; craft your own path.
5) Relax and trust the process. Everything will unfold as it’s meant to. Pushing too hard won’t necessarily get you to your destination faster.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
The topic that resonates with me the most is mental health. This is because I have personally experienced challenges in life where my mental well-being what not in a good place and understand firsthand how one’s life can transform dramatically by adopting healthier thought patterns. I believe that as you invest time and effort in enhancing your mental health, the other issues naturally fall into place. By nurturing our minds, we tend to make better choices for both our bodies and the environment
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
For those interested in staying updated with my work, I invite you to follow us on Instagram. You can find us at [@bluestonesunshields](https://www.instagram.com/bluestonesunshields/) and [@jenpodany](https://www.instagram.com/jenpodany/). We frequently share updates, insights, and more on these platforms. I look forward to connecting with you there!
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
