Founder Feature: Jill Portman of Good Pharma

This Women’s History Month, we spoke with Jill Portman, co-founder and CEO of Good Pharma. Good Pharma's pour-over tea and coffee rituals include ingredients that are boosted with plant and mushroom extracts to allow people to thrive as nature intended. Read on to hear Jill's story.

How did Good Pharma come to life? 

After I sold Mighty Leaf to Peet's in 2014 (coming off an 18 year sprint), I caught my breath and started envisioning what the next chapter would look like. After much research and reflecting on personal preferences towards plant-based wellness and food as medicine, I started down a new path in 2018, having no idea what was around the corner. The good news is that the [pandemic] lockdown forced focus and clarity. With the consumer audience needing wellness now more than ever, Good Pharma was born. 

What is one important lesson you’ve learned throughout your journey in building Good Pharma? 

Listen to my heart more than numbers. When you build a brand, it’s about community and the individuals. The people behind the numbers. Metrics and business modeling is really about the humans behind those numbers. 

What advice would you give to other - specifically women - entrepreneurs who are looking to bring their passions to life? Can you share one or two pieces of advice?

Clear head, open heart. We spent three years sleeping, traveling and clearing out the cobwebs. Going back into a new venture requires a clear head, open heart, and a mission to change people’s lives. It’s a lot of heavy lifting to build the right team and give yourself the time to do it right. 

How do you incorporate mindfulness into your daily life?

I wake up every morning to my 20 minute meditation and quick Peloton routine. I also am religious about my lemon water and celery juice, followed by my Resilience green tea and chaga or Brain Gain lion’s mane mushroom coffee. I try to find 30 minutes in the day to do a quick hike to clear my head and balance my energy. 

What inspires you?

Women and young girls pushing through, making themselves heard, being resilient, not taking no for an answer and making a change. In my early 20s, you’d find me in Chicago, wearing a hard hat, building high rises and directing 50 men on what to do. It gave me extraordinary tools on how to work across the table, but it also taught me how to be a woman in a room filled with men and how to make a difference. 

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Find your source of truth and be persistent in your journey towards your north star and stay focused.

What else do you want people to know?

I know this sounds corny, but my empathy for others is palpable. When I was around 10 years old, I'd often tag along with my father on Saturdays to his unionized factory where they rebuilt carburetors. I enjoyed hanging out in the warehouse with the hourly employees. I wanted to hear their challenges and stories so I could influence my father in securing better wages and benefits for them. I learned at a young age that empathy and caring is everything.

Try Good Pharma for yourself! Enter to win a month’s supply of Good Pharma here.