BY VONCELLE MULL
Born and raised in Chicago, Jill Portman began her career as an interior architect and designer, immediately making her mark right out of college by constructing massive skyscrapers. In a male-dominated field, she distinguished herself with her ability to see the world in three dimensions and her unparalleled problem-solving skills.
For more than seven years, Jill thrived in this challenging environment, driven by her passion for making things bigger and better.
However, amidst her professional success, Jill felt a growing need to reflect on her humanness and how she saw the world. She had always led a healthy lifestyle, frequenting independent health food stores to create her own vegan meals long before it became mainstream. This commitment to health and wellness would later become the foundation of her future ventures.
THE TEA HOUSE VISION
Jill’s global travels and market studies revealed a significant insight: while coffee dominated the American beverage landscape, tea had the potential to be the next big enterprise.
Inspired by the cultural richness she experienced abroad, Jill envisioned blending Eastern and Western traditions to create a unique tea concept in the United States. This idea led her to leave her career in architecture and design, and open a tea house in San Francisco, which eventually evolved into her first brand, Mighty Leaf.
Mighty Leaf quickly gained popularity, and Jill successfully scaled the business until 2014, when she sold it to Peet’s Coffee. Reflecting on this period, Jill said, “When I sold it, I believe I slept for two years because of the stress.” This hiatus allowed her to rebuild her health and gather inspiration for her next venture.
THE BIRTH OF GOOD PHARMA
With a wealth of knowledge from partners and herbalists worldwide, Jill embarked on a new journey to create a brand that would marry Eastern modalities with tea. She assembled a handful of brilliant scientists, and over four years, they developed a product line that stands out in the crowded wellness market for several reasons. Unlike many tea brands, GOOD Pharma’s infusers are made from corn, and its high-quality, globally sourced ingredients are free from GMOs while ensuring an unparalleled taste experience. Each of the four offerings – Brain Gain, No Worries, Resilience, and Rest Assured — offers distinct health benefits, making them a staple for wellness enthusiasts. Each proprietary blend is packed with full spectrum herbal and/or mushroom extracts and amino acids for a wide range of needs, including cognitive support, stress relief, sleep support, and stamina support.
Just as Jill and the team were ready to launch, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed unexpected challenges. During this period, the wellness and spa community emerged as a significant supporter of GOOD Pharma.
“The spa community is amazing, and their hearts are so open,” Jill remarked. Spas and resorts began using GOOD Pharma products as welcome teas for relaxation, immunity boosts, and post-treatment detoxifying mocktails. This acceptance paved the way for GOOD Pharma to expand its reach into hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry.
EMBRACING WELLNESS IN HOSPITALITY
GOOD Pharma’s expansion into the hospitality sector is a testament to its versatility and appeal. Recognizing the growing demand for wellness amenities, hotels have embraced GOOD Pharma’s products as part of their offerings.
Jill highlighted this trend, stating, “We recognize today that wellness is being embraced and understood at a level that is well beyond, and people are recognizing that they do need to slow down.”
GOOD Pharma’s innovative “Meetings that Matter” pairings allow resorts and hotels to elevate their banquet and catering experiences with wellness- based beverages. This integration of wellness into various aspects of hospitality enhances the overall guest experience, making it a key differentiator for businesses in the industry.
THE FUTURE OF GOOD PHARMA
Jill Portman’s journey from constructing skyscrapers to building a wellness empire is a story of vision, strength, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her ability to foresee trends and her commitment to health and wellness has positioned GOOD Pharma as a leader in the luxury wellness beverage market.
As GOOD Pharma continues to grow, consumers can look forward to more innovative products that combine the best of Eastern and Western traditions. Jill’s dedication to creating exquisite, health-focused beverages ensures that GOOD Pharma will remain a staple for those seeking both luxury and wellness.
