Meet Janel Townsend | Self Care Enthusiast| Certitified Psychiatri Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janel Townsend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be perfectly honest, the thought process behind starting my business was not that I actually wanted to be a business owner. I wanted to initiate a movement toward motivating people toward optimal health and wellness. At the time, I myself was not optimally taking care of myself which was something new to me but further opened my eyes to how most people were operating from that same space of lack of self care, self love and healthy lifestyle behaviors (proper sleep, nutrition, engagement in healthy relationships, etc). I have never enjoyed public speaking, so I wanted to figure out how to get the message out in a way that was fun and creative, and figured novelty items were the way to go. And that’s where the Self•Ish Company was created.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a professional I am a dual certified Family and Mental Health Nurse Practictioner and currently working as a full Psychiatric/Mental health Provider in a community healrh center. I genuinely believe what sets me apart in my field is that I am where I am in my practice because I want to be there and I want to help. I genuinely enjoy seeing my patients not only get better mentally but grow and evolve holistically as well. Throughout my entire career as a nurse I have dealt with many adverse moments but because I truly feel I am walking in my purpose there has yet to be anything that has detered me from doing what I love which is helping others. I want the world to know that it’s ok to not be ok but it’d not ok to leave yourself in the process. So many of us have us have been broken down but not given the tools to fix or build ourselves back up again, let alone recognize what caused the break down to begin with. The Self• Ish Company LLC is more than just novelty items and cliche sayings. We are going to continue to grow into a brand that is able to shift the mindset and support people in being their very best self inside and out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to eat so we would definitely be eating good while they were here. If they came in on a Thursday I’d take them to The Collective STL for a relaxing yoga flow then grab a bite at mission taco to catch up. Friday we could grab a bite at First watch and weather permitting go yo Creve couer lake and rent bikes or walk the trail. Friday night maybe go by Florissant Wine bar or Ranoush for some drinks and music. Saturday we could do brunch at Prasino and maybe pedicures or do some shopping then chill out to the evening and check out a comedy show at the Helium or somebody at the City winery. Sunday Sunday we’d definitely do brunch at Bricktops and then maybe do Top Golf or virtual reality at the Foundry and of course more day drinking at Narwhals. Monday would be a chill day because you have to have time to rest so would either book a Yoni stea. With Pure Wellness spa or get massages. Tuesday is taco day so would go to happy hour at Rosalitas then back to Yoga at the Collective for Terry’s restorative yoga session. Wednesday another rest and reset day as she prepares to leave the next day and would do dinner at J Gilbert’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been so blessed to have such a robust support system throughout my life including family and close friends that have been around for decades. (They know who they are :)). But there is an organization that I was introduced to in the mist of my creative process that catapulted the mindset that was needed for everything to make sense, and that is my yoga studio family at The Collective STL. This is I was reminded that everything I (we) need is right there within and convinced me even more of the importance of taking care of self.

Website: Www.beselfishnow.com

Instagram: The_SelfishCompany

Facebook: The Selfish Company