We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jordan Weinberger a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jordan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
My professional journey hasn’t been marked by a single defining moment, but rather a series of pivotal experiences that have led me down various paths, each filled with its unique set of challenges and joys. It all started in healthcare, where I worked as a phlebotomist. There, I discovered a profound connection with my work in the lab and with patients, finding great fulfillment in the impact I could make. However, due to personal circumstances related to domestic violence, I was forced to leave that career behind.
In search of a new direction, I returned to school and stumbled upon a passion for teaching art. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent educating and interacting with students, finding a different but equally rewarding way to make a difference. Yet, my journey took another turn when health issues, compounded by the devastation of Hurricane Ida, pushed me out of my traditional job. The hurricane severely damaged our home, leading to a mold issue that severely impacted my health. As a result, I spent nearly two years living in a tent in our backyard, facing one of the lowest points in my life. During this time, I was unable to fulfill my role as a wife or mother unable to contribute in any meaningful way due to my illness.
From this place of despair, confined to a bed in a tent, I launched my first LLC, Chronically Creating Art. Turning to my passion for art and creativity, I found hope and a way to channel my energy into something that could flourish despite the unchangeable circumstances surrounding me. This venture wasn’t just about survival; it became a mission to help others, embodying the hope and resilience I clung to. Every business I have created since has been driven by a desire to assist others, reflecting the lessons learned and the strength gained from each phase of my journey. The defining moments of my career are not marked by success in traditional terms but by the resilience, hope, and determination to make a difference in the lives of others, even when faced with the most challenging situations.
Chronically Creating Art, a full-service art company, emerged from my experiences with a unique mission: to employ and empower chronically ill and disabled artists. Understanding the unpredictable nature of chronic illnesses, we adopt a flexible and empathetic approach toward our freelancers, ensuring they have some income despite their health challenges. This venture, along with Chronically Healing Apothecary, which I founded to create luxury, non-toxic products in a mold, artificial scent, and chemical-free environment, was inspired by my battle with health issues and the lack of transparency in products catering to those with sensitivities.
This story is a testament to the idea that our lowest points can lead to our greatest achievements and that helping others can provide profound meaning and purpose, even when navigating personal adversities. My journey illustrates that the defining moments of a career can be those of overcoming, resilience, and the unyielding will to make a positive impact on the world.
Jordan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
This is a hard question for me to answer. I have been through so much. My journey is a long one that intertwines a complex narrative of personal adversity and health challenges, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, rooted in a childhood marked by illness and my early adulthood stained with domestic violence. I have tried to turn my pain into purpose.
From a young age, I navigated a labyrinth of medical uncertainties, facing conditions that eluded straightforward diagnoses. An onset of “OCD” overnight in the third grade, which we now understand as PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), and other recurrent infections more severe than my ENT had ever encountered. It was not only traumatic but also put a strain on my family as I was constantly sick, having surgery, or not being able to be away from my mom. My mother, whose advocacy for me was unwavering, believed deeply that there was something more beneath the surface. Her dedication led us to an immunologist right before Hurricane Katrina, where abnormal markers hinted at underlying issues. Her tireless research and intuition were a beacon of hope in our search for answers. It took us 15 more years to finally get a diagnosis. It turns out her instincts were correct. I have a rare genetic mutation coupled with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which significantly impacts my body’s ability to detoxify infections and toxic mold.
These formative experiences, coupled with overcoming domestic abuse in my 20’s and the subsequent PTSD, left me feeling hopeless I fell for a long time, but I eventually got back up with the support of my family and started to heal from the abuse. My experiences cultivated resilience and determination within me not only to advocate for myself but for others facing similar adversities.
When my illness progressed and left me unable to continue working. I became driven to create spaces that not only foster creativity through Chronically Creating Art but also ensure accessibility to safe, healing products via Chronically Healing Apothecary. Ventures are born from a deep-seated desire to create supportive, inclusive spaces and products for those navigating the complexities of chronic illness, a community often forgotten and misunderstood.
Chronically Creating Art serves as a beacon for chronically ill and disabled artists, offering a platform where creative expression is not hindered by physical limitations. Some of the services we offer are children’s art classes, murals, graphic design, social media management, website design, logo design, photo editing, and the production of merchandise for clients like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and bags. We are also working on opening the first online art gallery that only displays and sells art, jewelry, pottery, etc. made solely by chronically ill and disabled artists. This initiative is built on the belief that art and advocacy are intrinsically linked, fostering a community where artists can thrive and contribute meaningfully despite their health challenges. Most freelance art companies only allow you to turn down jobs around three times before they take you off the call list. I found this to be very ableist. I wanted a full-service art company fully run by chronically ill and disabled artists that allows each freelancer to fill out a form for when they would like to be called for jobs that become available. What makes us special is our flare list, if you’re sick, flared up, in the hospital, or just need a mental health break they let us know and we will temporarily take them off the call list and when ready to work again we welcome you back with open arms. We are small but growing and hope we can encourage others to learn that the chronically ill and disabled are not unreliable workers we are often the hardest worked but our bodies decide what we do each day, and every day looks different. When you hire us, you’re not just supporting an artist. you’re supporting a member of the chronic illness community who must fight through symptoms every day.
Chronically Healing Apothecary emerged from a personal need for safe, transparent, and healing products after a three-month hospitalization leaving me with muscle wasting unable to walk, on feeding formula, and very reactive to most products. At Chronically Healing Apothecary, we go to great lengths to source the purest ingredients, from non-irradiated herbs, and mold/mycotoxin-free coffee, to grass-fed and finished tallow, while also ensuring our products are created in a mold, chemical, and artificial scent-free environment. Our products range from, luxurious grass-fed/finished whipped tallow body butter, herbal balms, lip balm, organic vanilla and citrus extracts, candles, and soon-to-launch herbal tinctures, catering not only to individuals with sensitivities like me but anyone seeking non-toxic options. This commitment to transparency and health-conscious practices sets us apart, underscoring our dedication to the well-being of our clients.
Furthermore, my educational pursuits are deeply entwined with my entrepreneurial efforts, driven by frustration with the often generic and costly approaches encountered in functional medicine. I have seen so many functional doctors who have drained our savings on treatments that were cookie-cutter and supplements that did not take my individual needs into consideration. Motivated by these challenges of finding individualized treatment for mold toxicity, I am currently back in college working towards getting a Ph.D. in functional medicine, aiming to one day offer personalized, compassionate care that addresses the unique needs of each patient. This academic endeavor is fueled by a desire to fill the void I encountered at my most vulnerable time when I felt so many took advantage of my desperation to heal, aspiring to be a practitioner who genuinely understands and addresses the complexities of chronic illness because I live with them every day and I am still fighting to heal from mold toxicity.
What sets my ventures apart is not just the services and products we offer but the ethos and empathy that underpin every aspect of our operations. We are more than businesses; we are a movement towards inclusivity, understanding, and genuine support for the chronic illness community. I am most proud of the community we’ve built and the lives we’ve touched through Chronically Creating Art and Chronically Healing Apothecary. My ambition is for potential clients, followers, and fans to see these ventures as extensions of my journey and commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those navigating chronic illness. As I continue to navigate my health journey and advance my education, my dedication to delivering tailored, compassionate care and creating spaces for empowerment and healing remains unwavering. My story and ventures underscore a belief in the transformative power of resilience, advocacy, and personalized care.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My business partner is my fiancé, and our journey together began long before we fell in love. We met in high school, where our shared passion for art brought us together. With only about 120 students in the entire school, we were the only two in an advanced art class created just for us. While other students attended traditional art classes down the hall with our teacher Mrs. Riley, we had the freedom to stay in the art room alone to paint whatever we wanted during the art period, laying the foundation for our friendship.
Over the years, our bond deepened as we navigated various challenges together. We supported each other through the darkest moments of our lives, forging a connection based on shared experiences of pain and resilience. Despite the hardships we faced, our friendship endured, and we emerged stronger together.
Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas late at night or helping me host art classes, he’s always there to support me. Even when I’m sick or facing physical limitations, he shoulders the burden and takes on extra responsibilities without hesitation.
He’s my rock, providing unwavering support and understanding through every challenge. As I recover from hand surgery due to an accident, he’s been by my side every step of the way, acting as my other hand when I need it most. Reading all my textbooks and my Apothecary recipes helps me make my products which is not an easy task due to the very high standards we have for our products. In addition to managing the finances of our businesses, he’s also the muscle when I’m too weak to handle certain tasks.
I owe much of my success, including pursuing my education, to his dedication and support. We are not just business partners; we are best friends. Even while working a full-time job, sometimes six days a week for twelve hours a day, he comes home and is an amazing dad and is always there to support me and provide whatever I need for my health or our business. I couldn’t have accomplished anything without him by my side.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been authenticity. Being true to myself and genuinely wanting to help others has been key. Living with a chronic illness has given me deep empathy, compassion, and love for others in similar situations, which resonates with my audience.
While I excel in marketing, I don’t focus solely on self-promotion. Instead, I wholeheartedly support other small businesses, fostering genuine friendships in the small business community. I advertise other businesses just as much as I advertise my own.
Offering high-quality products and services has also been crucial. Satisfied clients often refer others, contributing to our growth. Whether it’s our apothecary products or art services, our commitment to quality and word-of-mouth recommendations have been instrumental in expanding our clientele for both businesses.
A big mistake I often see other business owners making is viewing similar businesses as competition. However, I believe in the complete opposite: collaboration over competition. Especially in industries where women and chronically ill individuals own businesses, it’s essential to come together to support one another.
Even if we’re offering the same products or services, I firmly believe in the philosophy of “we rise by lifting others.” Whether it’s sharing resources, cross-promoting each other’s businesses, or offering support and guidance, there’s enough room for everyone to succeed.
When you’re in a room with someone who’s doing better than you, there’s always an opportunity to learn from them. Similarly, if you have someone under you who needs help, it’s important to lend a hand. Together, we can create a supportive community where everyone can thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: Chronicallyhealingapothecary.com
- Instagram: @chronicallyhealingapothecary https://www.instagram.com/chronicallyhealingapothecary?igsh=MWV4b2QwZXcxcGdseQ==
- Facebook: Chronically healing Apothecary https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554905244534&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: Website: chronicallycreating.com Tiktok: Chronichealingapothecary https://www.tiktok.com/@chronichealingapothecary Tiktok: Chronicallycreating https://www.tiktok.com/@chronicallycreating Facebook: Chronically Creating Art https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087323574487&mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram: @chronicallycreating.art https://www.instagram.com/chronicallycreating.art Etsy: ChronicallyhealingUS https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChronicallyhealingUS
Image Credits
Brittany Paiyarat