Every nurse knows the smells that come with patient care.

From wound care and infections to GI bleeds and certain procedures, strong clinical odors are simply part of the job. While nurses are trained to manage complex medical situations, there are plenty of smaller everyday challenges that healthcare workers quietly learn to navigate on their own.

But what happens when a nurse encounters a problem at the bedside that no existing solution can fix?

For Jennifer, an ER nurse and the founder of StinkBalm, the answer was simple: She created one.

What started as a small idea to make her own shifts more manageable eventually turned into a product used by healthcare workers across the country. Jennifer’s journey from bedside nurse to entrepreneur is a powerful example of how nurses are uniquely positioned to innovate, solve problems, and even build businesses from their clinical experience.

In this article, we’ll recap a podcast conversation that I had with Jennifer about how she turned a common nursing challenge into a successful product and what her story teaches us about nursing entrepreneurship, innovation, and career possibilities beyond the bedside.

To listen to this podcast episode, click here

The Everyday Problem Nurses Know Too Well

If you’ve ever worked in healthcare, you already know that certain smells come with the territory.

Nurses regularly encounter strong odors in clinical settings, whether during wound care, infections, GI procedures, or certain emergency situations. While experienced nurses often develop a tolerance over time, those early shifts can be especially challenging.

Many healthcare workers rely on quick fixes to get through these moments. Some nurses keep vapor rub in their pockets, others try essential oils, and some simply hold their breath and push through.

Jennifer remembers relying on similar strategies early in her career.

While working in healthcare settings, she often kept a small jar of vapor rub nearby to help block odors during certain situations. But the solution was far from ideal. The container was bulky, inconvenient to carry, and often shared among staff members in fast-paced situations.

Even worse, many odor-blocking strategies used in clinical settings, like spraying room deodorizer, can make patients feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

Jennifer realized there had to be a better solution.

The Moment the Idea for StinkBalm Was Born

Like many nurses, Jennifer’s career path didn’t start exactly where she expected.

After graduating from nursing school, she initially worked in a dermatology office where she assisted with procedures that sometimes produced strong odors. Eventually, she transitioned into hospital nursing and later landed a position in the emergency department, which was where she truly wanted to be.

Working in the ER exposed Jennifer to a wide range of patient situations and with them, a variety of odors that could be difficult to manage during patient care.

One particular experience stood out.

Jennifer walked into a patient room and was immediately overwhelmed by the smell. A physician had attempted to address the odor by nebulizing orange juice in the room — an unconventional solution that ultimately didn’t work.

That moment reinforced something Jennifer had already been thinking about: Healthcare workers needed a better way to manage these situations.

Instead of continuing to search for a product that didn’t exist, she decided to create one herself.

Creating a Discreet Solution for Healthcare Workers

Jennifer began experimenting with different ingredients and formulations in an attempt to create something that could block odors effectively.

But she had another important consideration in mind: Patient dignity.

Caroline with Stinkbalm’s Lavendar scent

Healthcare workers never want patients to feel embarrassed about their medical conditions. Spraying air fresheners or visibly reacting to odors can unintentionally make patients feel uncomfortable.

Jennifer wanted to create something discreet something healthcare workers could use without drawing attention to it.

That’s when the idea for the chapstick-style odor blocker was born.

The concept was simple but effective: A small balm stick that healthcare workers could apply under their nose, similar to lip balm. To anyone watching, it would simply look like someone applying chapstick.

This allowed nurses to manage odors without making patients feel self-conscious.

Jennifer began sharing the product with coworkers, and the feedback was immediate.

People loved it.

From Side Experiment to Business

Interestingly, Jennifer never initially planned to become an entrepreneur.

In fact, the idea of turning her creation into a business came from friends and family who encouraged her to sell the product.

At first, Jennifer approached it as a small experiment. She would make batches, sell some, and reinvest the money back into the product.

Without a background in business or marketing, she learned everything as she went, including how to building a website, learning about online sales, and figuring out how to grow a product-based business.

Eventually, she expanded her sales channels and began selling on Amazon, which significantly increased visibility for the product.

Over time, what started as a small side project evolved into a thriving business.

Why Nurses Make Great Entrepreneurs

Jennifer’s story highlights something many people overlook: Nurses are natural innovators.

The nursing profession requires critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving on a daily basis. Nurses constantly find creative ways to overcome obstacles in fast-paced clinical environments.

In many ways, entrepreneurship requires the same skills.

Throughout her career, Jennifer noticed that nurses are constantly “MacGyvering” solutions whether that means improvising equipment setups, adapting workflows, or finding creative ways to improve patient care.

Those same skills translate surprisingly well into building a business.

Nurses also have another advantage: Flexibility.

Many nurses work three 12-hour shifts per week, leaving several days available to pursue other interests. This schedule makes it possible to experiment with business ideas without giving up the stability of a nursing career.

Jennifer credits this flexibility as a major factor that allowed her to grow StinkBalm while still working as a nurse.

The Power of Networking in Nursing Entrepreneurship

Another key theme in Jennifer’s story is the power of networking.

Many opportunities in entrepreneurship come from relationships and connections with others in your field.

Jennifer met several important mentors and collaborators simply by attending events and connecting with people who had experience in business.

One particularly impactful connection helped her improve her website and strengthen her online presence.

Networking can feel intimidating especially when attending events alone or reaching out to someone you admire but Jennifer encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to push through that discomfort.

Often, the most valuable opportunities come from simply introducing yourself and starting a conversation.

Lessons Jennifer Learned While Building a Business

Like any entrepreneur, Jennifer learned many lessons along the way.

Here are some of the most important insights she shared from her journey.

1. Start Before You Feel Ready

Many people hesitate to pursue business ideas because they feel they need everything perfectly planned.

Jennifer emphasizes that perfection isn’t necessary.

You don’t need the perfect website, perfect branding, or perfect business plan to start. What matters most is taking the first step and learning as you go.

2. Reinvest in Your Idea

Instead of taking on large financial risks early on, Jennifer reinvested the money she earned back into the business.

This approach allowed her to grow the product gradually without taking on unnecessary pressure or debt.

3. Focus on Serving Your Customers

One principle Jennifer strongly believes in is treating every customer with care and respect.

Even small orders can lead to larger opportunities. In some cases, individual customers have introduced StinkBalm to entire hospital departments or organizations.

Providing excellent service can open doors you never expect.

4. Don’t Listen to Every Opinion

Entrepreneurship often comes with criticism or skepticism from others.

Jennifer learned that it’s important to listen to advice from people who have experience in the areas you want to grow in but not to let negative opinions from others derail your vision.

A Reminder That Nursing Careers Can Evolve

One of the most inspiring aspects of Jennifer’s story is that it reminds us how dynamic nursing careers can be.

Many nurses feel pressure to choose a single career path, but the reality is that nursing offers endless possibilities.

You might work at the bedside for years, transition into leadership, become an educator, start a business, or pursue something entirely unexpected.

Jennifer never planned to become a product inventor or business owner but by staying open to opportunities and following her curiosity, she built something meaningful.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that your nursing career doesn’t have to follow a traditional path.

Thinking Beyond the Bedside

If you’re a nurse or nursing student with an idea, Jennifer’s story offers an important message:

Your experiences at the bedside are valuable.

Every day, nurses encounter challenges, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement within healthcare systems. Those insights can lead to innovations that improve the lives of both healthcare workers and patients.

You don’t need a business degree or years of entrepreneurial experience to start exploring those ideas.

Sometimes, the best innovations come from the people who understand the problem firsthand.

Final Thoughts

Before we wrap up, Jennifer has a special discount code for YOU!

Use Code: “NCC20” for 20% off Nurses Gift Sets. Click here to learn more!

Jennifer’s journey from ER nurse to entrepreneur demonstrates the incredible potential that exists within the nursing profession.

What began as a simple attempt to solve a practical problem eventually became a product that helps healthcare workers across the country navigate one of the less glamorous realities of clinical work.

But perhaps the most powerful lesson from her story is this:

Nurses are far more innovative, resourceful, and entrepreneurial than they often realize.

Whether you’re a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse, your ideas matter and they might just be the beginning of something bigger than you expect.

As always — I have one hand for me, and the other for you. 🤍

Signing Off…

Caroline