We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elisa Scherzinger a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elisa, appreciate you joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I’ll never forget the day the hospital I had faithfully served as a nurse leader over a surgical center announced a “RIF” — a reduction in force. I was one of 150 employees let go. It was painful, disorienting, and at the time, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me.

But in retrospect, it was the best thing that could have happened. That moment lit the fire I needed to finally pursue my true passion, empowering people before emergencies happen through pre-hospital first aid kits and education.

I threw myself into preparation. I obtained new certifications, attended trainings and conferences, learned how AI could transform safety and preparedness, joined networking groups, and immersed myself in everything that could prepare me for this next chapter.

My first client came from something wonderfully simple: a genuine conversation. I was talking with the owner of a large painting company, asking for feedback on my first aid kits and the types of services I was offering for construction safety. As we talked, he realized his teams could benefit from exactly what I provided. That conversation led to my very first large order — first aid kits for their facility, off-site jobs, and every employee vehicle.

But it didn’t stop there. They also enrolled all of their foremen in CPR certification and tourniquet training. That first “yes” validated my vision, proved the need for what I was building, and set the tone for everything that has followed: listen first, solve real problems, and deliver value that can literally save lives.

Elisa, 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?

I am Elisa Scherzinger, a Registered Nurse with more than 27 years of experience in critical care, surgical services, family practice, and the fast paced world of the emergency room. In the ER, I saw firsthand how powerful bystanders can be in saving lives, especially in that critical window between when an accident happens and when EMS arrives.

One day, that truth became personal. I came upon a serious accident involving two critically injured children. I had the knowledge to help, but I did not have the right supplies with me and only one bystander asked what he could do to help (and he was a young teenager). Those precious minutes, scrambling for what I needed instead of immediately acting, felt like an eternity. I knew that time could mean the difference between life and death, and it shook me to my core.

That day changed me. I made a promise that I would never again be without the right supplies. More than that, I committed to making sure others would not be caught unprepared either. I had come across too many cheap, low-quality first aid kits being sold online and in stores that people trust – kits that gave people a false sense of security but failed them in a real emergency. I wanted to change that by ensuring everyday people had access to affordable, dependable, and truly life-saving supplies. My mission became clear: to empower everyday people with the tools, the skills, and the confidence to step in when seconds matter.

That mission grew into The Rite Stuff. Today, I provide:
• Custom first aid kits for businesses, construction crews, families, kids and dog owners
• Hands on training in CPR, bleeding control, wound care, generalized first aid and disaster readiness for everyone from “Kids Safety Superheroes” (ages 5-19), to families and large businesses.
• OSHA compliance guidance so businesses can protect their teams and avoid costly penalties
• Engaging presentations and workshops that inspire communities to be prepared to act before 911 arrives (or when 911 isn’t coming anytime soon).

What sets me apart is the way I merge deep clinical expertise with practical, real world readiness. I do not simply hand someone a kit, I teach them how to use it under pressure. Every product I design and every class I teach is built to be clear, accessible, and immediately useful.

One of the things I am most proud of is seeing that moment when someone’s eyes light up when they truly understand. They have just learned, hands on, how to step in during a life threatening emergency, and you can see the confidence take root. Many have never had the chance to practice these skills before, and it changes everything.

Even more powerful are the stories that follow, testimonials from people who have used their training and the supplies I provided to care for a wound or provide first aid assistance. Those moments are priceless.

My work is not just about selling first aid kits. It is about empowerment. It is about making sure people have the skills, the knowledge, and the confidence to act when every second matters, because in those moments the actions of one person can change the outcome of an entire life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Several years ago, I was driving home when I came upon a devastating accident. Two people were critically injured. As a nurse with years in the ER, I knew exactly what needed to be done, but I did not have the supplies I needed with me. Those minutes, spent scrambling instead of acting, felt endless. I kept thinking, if only I had what I needed right now.

That moment could have left me discouraged, but instead it became a turning point. I refused to let it happen again, to me or to anyone else.

That same determination had carried me years earlier when I served on a medical mission in Haiti after the earthquake. We were treating overwhelming numbers of injured and sick people with limited resources, improvising with what we had and relying on teamwork, creativity, and pure will to save lives. In those days, I saw both the fragility of life and the extraordinary difference it makes when people are equipped to act in the moment.

Between the roadside accident at home and the mission work in Haiti, I understood more than ever that preparedness is not optional. It is everything. I began researching, sourcing, and testing supplies until I could create first aid kits I could truly trust. I sought out additional certifications, attended trainings, and immersed myself in every opportunity to improve my skills and knowledge.

Those experiences did not just change my perspective, they lit a fire. They taught me that resilience is not about avoiding the hard moments, it is about using them as fuel. Today, every kit I build and every class I teach carries the imprint of those moments and the determination they sparked.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I believe the most important factor for succeeding in my field is building genuine relationships. My work is rooted in trust, trust that the products I provide will perform when they are needed most, and trust that the training I deliver will give people the confidence to act in an emergency.

That trust starts with listening. Before I offer a single product or class, I take the time to understand the unique needs, challenges, and environments of the people I serve. From there, it is about showing up consistently, in conversations, at community events, through speaking engagements, and on job sites, so people know I am invested in their safety, not just their business.

When clients feel seen, heard, and valued, they become more than customers. They become partners in a shared mission. Those relationships open doors, create opportunities, and ultimately allow me to reach more people with the tools, skills, and confidence that can save lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ritestuffmedical.com (still a work in progress)
• Instagram: @ritestuffmedical
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559981863109
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rite-stuff
• Twitter: @elisatherstuff
• Youtube: @TheRiteStuff-nb5gm
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRiteStuff-nb5gm/podcasts
  https://open.spotify.com/show/2VIO9EMxySdnr97nACHYG4

Image Credits

Monica Burby
Owner/Photographer, Photoumbra Studios

Cameron Smith
Owner/Videographer, Refiner Productions