Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jackie Gooden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jackie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve taken was starting my own wellness business, Blue IV Hydration & Spa, after a life-altering injury that left me out of work for two years. I’m a single mom of four including 12-year-old twin boys and I had to completely rebuild not just my career, but my entire life. It wasn’t just about chasing a dream it was about survival, healing, and purpose.

Before that, I worked as a travel nurse, mostly in geriatrics, dementia care, and nursing homes. During COVID, I was a rapid response nurse, going wherever help was needed. I saw firsthand how desperate people were to stay healthy or beat the virus taking anything they could get their hands on, often dangerous or unproven. And I realized something: people didn’t know what to put in their bodies because no one ever taught them and they didn’t have access to trusted, medical guidance outside of a crisis.

That stuck with me.

So when I started to recover from my injury, I asked myself: What if I could create something better? A place where people could be proactive with their health, not reactive. A space rooted in real medicine but delivered with a nurse’s heart; approachable, educational, and uplifting.

I launched Blue IV with no investors and no safety net. I reinvested every dollar. I created my own marketing, built partnerships from scratch, and learned every single part of running a business on my own. It wasn’t easy but the mission kept me going.

Now, Blue IV is becoming more than just a Medspa. It’s a place where people come to feel seen, to heal, to take control of their health. There’s a vibe here, a friendly, welcoming, nurse-next-door energy and that’s intentional. I didn’t build what I needed when I was burnt out, I needed counseling and space to heal. I built what I saw other people needed when they were scared, confused, and just trying to stay healthy. I wanted to create a place where they could get real, evidence-based support before the next crisis hits not just band-aids or fear-based solutions.

That risk walking away from “safe” to build something that truly matters changed everything. And I’m proud of what it’s becoming.

Jackie, 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?

Hi, I’m Nurse Jackie, a single mother of four, and founder of Blue IV Hydration & Spa. I’ve been in healthcare for over 30 years starting as a CNA for nine years, then becoming nurse. I’ve now been an nurse for over 21 years, and caring for others has never just been a job for me it’s truly who I am.

I became a teenage mom and was told early on that I’d never amount to much. But I proved them wrong! I graduated top of my class in nursing school and have spent every chapter of my life showing my children and my community what it looks like to lead with purpose, passion, and perseverance.

Blue IV was born after a major shift in my life. I went through a divorce, then suffered a serious injury that took me out of work for two years. I had to completely shift gears but I knew one thing for sure: I wasn’t done helping people. During my time as a travel nurse especially as a COVID-19 rapid response nurse I saw people trying everything to stay healthy, not realizing they were often doing more harm than good. That’s when I realized that people don’t just need treatment they need guidance they can trust.

At Blue IV Hydration & Spa, we offer medically guided wellness treatments like IV hydration, weight support injections, body sculpting, and energy boosts. But beyond the services, what we really provide is clarity, care, and comfort. We help clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they take control of their health and wellness.

So what sets us apart?

For starters, we’re African-American owned and nurse-led. Our spa was created with the intention to reflect and serve communities that have often been overlooked or left out of the wellness and aesthetics space. Let’s be real: when people of color walk into a traditional medspa and don’t see anyone who looks like them, it can feel intimidating even unwelcoming. You wonder: Can they treat my skin? Do they understand how melanin reacts? Will they know what I need?

At Blue IV, we’ve created a space where Black, Brown, Asian, and all communities of color feel comfortable, represented, and respected. Everyone is welcome, but we made sure to build an environment where people who don’t often see themselves reflected in wellness advertising or luxury spa spaces can finally feel at home.

This isn’t about exclusion it’s about belonging. It’s about having a team that understands different skin tones, body types, and health experiences and who listen, not just treat.

I’m most proud that we’ve created a space where people feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. I’ve reinvested every dollar into this business because I believe in it. I believe in the people we serve. And I believe wellness should be accessible, trustworthy, and personalized.

If you’ve never heard of us before, I want you to know that this isn’t just about aesthetics it’s about alignment. It’s about helping you feel good in your body, have more energy, and live with more confidence. Blue IV is care from the heart and we’re here for you.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My entrepreneurial mindset has been shaped by lived experience and a handful of powerful books that helped shift how I think about business, money, leadership, and faith.

Some of the most impactful ones for me have been:

“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – This taught me how powerful our mindset is when it comes to creating success. It helped me visualize bigger and stay focused, even during setbacks.

“The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel – This book gave me a deeper understanding of how people think about money emotionally, not just logically. That awareness helped me make better financial decisions in business and in life.

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki – It changed the way I see income and wealth. It helped me move from survival thinking to building something that could create long-term financial freedom for my family.

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie – That one reminded me how far emotional intelligence, listening, and authentic connection go, especially in business. People want to feel valued, not sold to.

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama – Her journey reminded me that grace, strength, and ambition can coexist. As a Black woman and entrepreneur, this book encouraged me to embrace my full story, not shrink it.

“Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer – This book helped me fight through fear, self-doubt, and anxiety especially during my injury, recovery, and the early days of building my business. It reminded me that the greatest battle is often internal, and that faith and mindset are just as important as strategy.

These books, paired with my 30+ years in healthcare and the life I’ve lived as a mother, nurse, and business owner, continue to shape how I lead Blue IV Hydration & Spa with intention, heart, and resilience.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Honestly? Just being me. I’m Nurse Jackie, laid back, chill, easy to talk to, a little eccentric, and definitely vibey. I’m an extrovert, and I love connecting with people & asking questions, listening to their stories, learning what makes them tick. I’ve found that when people feel seen and heard, they naturally open up. And the more they talk, the more I understand their health goals and what they really need not just physically, but emotionally, too.

I think that’s what built my reputation, not marketing tricks or big budgets, but real, human connection. People felt comfortable with me, and once they came in and got a treatment whether it was an injection, an Immunity IV, or a vitamin boost they felt better. Sometimes the same day, sometimes the next day, but the results spoke for themselves.

And when something truly works, word spreads. One person would come in, then return with their mom, their husband, their best friend. I’ve had wives get an IV before vacation, feel great the whole trip, and their husbands come back asking for the exact same thing next time. I’ll never forget my 84-year-old client who said, “I don’t remember what you gave me, but I feel 62 again!” That blessed my heart more than words can say.

People tell me they’re drinking less coffee, sleeping better, managing their stress differently. And on top of that, I introduce them to things they might not have tried like Kinesiology, Glutathione, and small wellness habits that add up.

What helped build my name in the market wasn’t some polished, perfect brand. It was just me showing up as a nurse’s nurse. A bedside nurse who really cares and leads with compassion. I’m not some fancy medspa owner walking around with a clipboard pretending I’m too busy to connect. I’m in it. I’m here to help people feel better, because when they feel better, I feel better.

Seeing someone walk out of my spa smiling, saying their migraine is gone or their energy is finally back that’s what fills me up. That’s what built my reputation. Just being real, being relatable, and caring deeply about the people who walk through my door.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.BlueIVHydrationSpa.com
• Instagram: @BlueIVHydrationAndSpa
• Facebook: @BlueIVHydrationAndSpaa
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-iv-hydration-and-spa-richland
• Other: [email protected]