Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Chagoya Cadena. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenna, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
There are many components that go into how I believe we develop our resiliency over time. One of my favorite ways to describe this protective attribute is through the lens of attachment theory by Drs. Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby. In their research, attachment is best regarded by observing the early childhood experiences of infants and their caregivers. The science behind this theory suggests that in the presence of responsive adults who react lovingly and provide warmth, children are comforted by these figures with whom they have become attached to, thus forming a secure attachment style. Insecure attachment styles also occur as a result of unresponsive or neglectful caregiving. That is, in times of a child’s distress an environment with a nonresponsive or neglectful caregiver fosters a child’s distrust with the caregiver. Attachment theory also suggests that from these attachment bonds, an internal working model forms in early childhood. In other words, how this child will go on to form friendships and romantic relationships is influenced by the attachment styles formed in childhood. Needless to say, these styles, whether secure or avoidant, can facilitate a blueprint for forming relationships throughout one’s life. The incredible thing about the brain, however, is the neuroplasticity, it’s malleable. While secure bonds can encounter distress and adverse experiences, the same is possible for insecure bonds which can be restored and improved upon. So, hope is always there, and this is where I believe, in my case, anyway, resiliency is rooted.
Reflecting on my personal experience there have been nearly a handful of figures in my life whom I found myself anchored to, or in the case of attachment styles, securely bonded. My parent’s marriage ended in divorce when I was four and the person my mother remarried was physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive. In those early years my maternal grandmother was the figure in my life who provided continuous warmth and affection. She was a formidable, loving, and dedicated woman who lost her battle with multiple myeloma in October 2011. In between those early years and into my adulthood there have been a few other figures whose presence remained consistent throughout periods of my life. One of the things I have come to learn is throughout our journey there will be people who will touch our hearts for a season, some will remain for a few chapters and others will last a lifetime. Resiliency is not the absence of adverse experiences but opportunities for us to reflect and grow. I tend to frame negative experiences by their learning potential, and similarly, my perspective of these adversities is defined by moments where I found solace.
If I can remain open to the moments in life when something is difficult, I can learn from it for the future. I can understand that my attachment figures were never immune to their own adversity, but they too, remained open to the opportunity of growth by showing me affection. If I can provide the same comfort my attachment figures provided me, that is resiliency regenerated, in my opinion.
“All of us, from cradle to the grave, are happiest when life is organized as a series of excursions, long or short, from a secure base provided by our attachment figure(s).”
– John Bowlby
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
In the Spring of 2023, I successfully defended my dissertation and earned my doctorate in psychology. While in the middle of this program and at the height of the pandemic I was home with my children, and I turned to making bath time more enjoyable for them. I began creating bath bombs as a way for them to keep entertained and for me it was a distraction from the outside world. Another important piece worth mentioning is the struggle we encountered when my oldest was born with eczema. As a baby she would scratch continuously; we found ourselves trying one remedy after another, even wrapping her tiny arms in gauze. When I began making these bath products, keeping them safe for all ages and specifically sensitive skin was the utmost priority. Since 2021 we have gone through some name and design changes to our packaging. We have improved formulations, and we continue to work towards reaching a wider audience. Our collections have grown to include bath bombs that create a bubble bath, aromatherapy shower steamers, shea and cocoa body butter, avocado and shea butter lip balm, coconut apricot wax crackling wood wick candles, reed diffusers, car diffusers, olive oil hand soap and more. Fun fact: my company, Jenna Nicole, is my first and middle name, but it is also an homage to my parents who gave me the initials to match theirs.
We have been attending monthly market days in our community, and dozens of local chapters and charity events as a vendor. Most recently at the end of 2023 we had the opportunity to be featured on KSAT’s SA Live with Fiona Gorostiza and Mike Osterhage. We have been grateful to share that our products can be found at the Texas Gourmet Pantry in Boerne, TX. We have also been humbled by the features including in British Vogue, Tatler Magazine, Glamour UK, and Vanity Fair UK, and Boerne Lifestyle. We look forward to the continued support and growth in this journey.
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?
Openness. Keeping an open mind about the process, what works versus what requires improvement. An open mind helps us with introspection, this self-reflection and understanding of who we are, what motivates and moves us can lead to profound growth. Stepping outside of our level of comfort is not always easy and can feel threatening. Viewing experiences and opportunities from a lens of openness can provide self-assurance and even a collective component, in that, we all walk through our journey at times from places of uncertainty. While I believe openness is beneficial for my journey and personal growth, it is also helpful in knowing when to pursue an endeavor versus when to scale back. At times when opportunities seem to move in another direction it is helpful to remain open to future possibilities rather than despair in a fleeting moment.
Integrity. I believe integrity works alongside openness because it requires honesty not only with others but with ourselves, and the things in life we value most. One of the reasons why I value integrity as an influential quality is because it allows a sense of peace and freedom in being honest with myself. As a mother, mental health professional and business owner the well-being of those around me depends on my own well-being. In order to course through our journeys, especially when we hit those difficult moments in life, when we find ourselves at a crossroads, that inner voice of reason is a guiding light.
Humility. Whether we’re riding a wave of excitement or working on new projects, I am always aware of these fortunate and fleeting moments. Humility has kept me grounded in knowing to never compare my progress with anyone else except perhaps the younger version of myself. This quality, I feel, is essential because whether we are just starting out it is a reminder that we may not have all the answers. It is okay to seek someone who does, asking for help is perfectly okay. In fact, asking for help is a symbol of self-recognition and acknowledging personal growth. And in moments where self-assurance is abundant, humility is still a decent attribute.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
When I began this business venture we started from nothing, getting our name out and growing our reach continues to be an ongoing task. We have been fortunate to meet many wonderful people along this journey from customers to fellow business owners alike. We are always open to the possibility of collaboration. Whether supply chain or retail partnerships, magazine and editorial features to fellow beauty brand collaborations, we are always looking for ways to work together and raise awareness of our mission toward clean beauty, sustainability, environmentally friendly, body care, home care, and most importantly, self-care.
Contact Info:
- Website: jennanicole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennanicole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjennanicole/
Image Credits
Rethlyn Beaty, @rethlyn.photography
