Meet Jamie Shultz

We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Shultz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from being sick. Living with a chronic illness stripped away so much of what I once took for granted, especially my health, my independence, and my career. But in facing all of that, I found a strength I never knew I had. Being sick taught me how to persevere, how to think creatively, and how to keep moving forward, even on the hardest days. It gave me a deep determination to help others going through the same thing.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the inventor and founder of Port Protect®, a patented product that makes infusion prep easier and less painful for chronically ill patients who rely on chest ports for treatment. I developed it out of my own experience. After becoming severely ill in 2017, I spent years navigating life with rare autoimmune diseases, frequent infusions, and the everyday challenges that come with being a patient.

What excites me most is knowing that something I created can help others going through the same thing. Port Protect® turns what used to be a messy, frustrating, and painful part of treatment into something quick, clean, and comfortable – and that matters when you’re already dealing with so much.

Right now, I’m focused on growing awareness of Port Protect® and getting it into the hands of more patients and infusion centers across the country. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear from others who say it’s made their lives easier – that’s what keeps me going!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are resilience, creativity, and self-advocacy. Living with a complex, chronic illness taught me resilience; learning how to keep going, even when things are uncertain or difficult. Creativity helped me find new solutions, like inventing Port Protect®, when existing options weren’t meeting patient needs. And self-advocacy was key. I had to learn how to speak up, ask questions, and push for the care and answers I needed.

My education at Clemson played a big role in this. It taught me the importance of community and of standing up for others. It also reinforced that when the answers aren’t clear, you have to dig deeper and find them yourself – that mindset became invaluable as I navigated both my health and my work as an inventor.

For those just starting their journey, my advice would be: Stay curious, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Whether you’re building a business, managing your health, or creating something new, those skills will carry you a long way.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I try to shift my focus to what I can control and take things one step at a time. I remind myself to focus on the positive and keep looking ahead, rather than getting stuck in the moment. I also lean on my support system and take breaks when I need them. My advice is to give yourself grace, celebrate small wins, and always keep your eyes on where you want to go, not just where you are right now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.port-protect.com
• Instagram: @portprotect
• Other: TikTok: @portprotect