Meet Jacob Harrison

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

Hi Jacob, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

A lot of times I have been in rooms where the people around me did not come from the same background I did. Early on I thought I had to play a part, dress a certain way, and act a certain way to be taken seriously. Over time I realized that my customers connected more with me when I was genuine. Once I started showing up as my real self I gained the confidence to lead my business in a way that felt authentic, even when I was the only one in the room who looked or thought like me.

What has shaped me most is how I define success. It would be easier to mislead or just focus on selling, but being fair, kind, and honest takes real work, especially in business. In the beginning I even found it hard to charge people because of how I grew up. Money was a scarce thing, so taking it from someone else felt difficult. What helped me was knowing that my services are fair and that I provide the best treatments I possibly can. That allows me to feel good knowing customers are always getting more than they pay for.

For me, Deep Wave has never been about chasing as much money as possible. It has always been about building something I can be proud of, something rooted in values that matter. That is what sets me apart and that is what has made me effective, even when I am the only one in the room who looks like me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the founder of Deep Wave, a small wellness studio in San Diego that specializes in red light therapy and infrared sauna treatments. What makes Deep Wave special is that it is not built around luxury for the sake of luxury, it is built around accessibility and honesty. I wanted to create a place where people could experience treatments that truly make a difference in their health and recovery without feeling like wellness was out of reach.

What excites me most is seeing how people change after consistent treatments. Someone might first come in for pain, stress, or skin concerns, and after a few weeks they notice better sleep, improved mood, or even more confidence. Watching those transformations happen is what drives me.

Deep Wave is also unique in that it is veteran-owned and community-driven. I have always cared more about being kind and fair than about chasing money, so I keep my prices at a point where people can actually stick with the treatments long-term. That consistency is where the real results come from.

My long-term goal is to expand into a larger space where we can serve even more people while keeping the same personal, genuine atmosphere that makes Deep Wave what it is.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I think three qualities made the biggest difference for me.

The first was resilience. Building something from scratch without resources or support meant I had to learn to push forward even when things felt overwhelming. For anyone starting out, I would say expect challenges, and when they come, don’t take them as a sign you are not capable. Take them as part of the process.

The second was self-teaching. I did not have a roadmap or mentors, so I had to learn everything on my own—from running the business side to understanding the treatments. That willingness to dig in, research, and figure things out step by step has carried me through. My advice would be to stay curious and don’t wait for permission to learn. The knowledge you build yourself will give you confidence.

The third was authenticity. In the beginning, I thought success meant fitting in. Over time I realized that people connect more when you are real. That authenticity has shaped how I run Deep Wave—with fairness, honesty, and kindness at the center. For anyone starting out, I would encourage you to show up as yourself. It might feel harder at first, but it builds trust and sets you apart.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I am always open to collaborating with people and businesses who share the same values of honesty, kindness, and helping others feel better in their own skin. I believe wellness works best when it is shared, and collaboration is one of the ways we can reach more people together.

Right now I am especially interested in working with fitness professionals, local gyms, health and wellness practitioners, and estheticians who want to bring something unique to their community. Red light therapy and infrared sauna pair perfectly with fitness and recovery, so I see a lot of opportunity to create partnerships that support people in reaching their goals faster and in a healthier way. I am also open to creative partnerships around events and community gatherings since building connections in San Diego has been such an important part of Deep Wave.

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