Human Development and Family Studies degree helped develop entrepreneurial spirit
Entrepreneurship is often associated with emergent technology and raising money, but one recent Penn State graduate turned her entrepreneurial spirit toward helping people create a sense of well-being and community.
Jaclyn Navarro, a 2022 Penn State graduate with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), is the co-creator of Wholesome, LLC, a Philadelphia-based business designed to inspire, uplift, enlighten, and empower people to live authentically and embrace their pure and wholesome selves.
“To us, being wholesome means living authentically and embodying the things that make us unique,” said Navarro. “Our mission is focused on helping people be brave and courageous. We want to help people be confident in their own skin by giving them opportunities to express their authentic selves.”
As a community-based organization, Wholesome hosts events and open mic nights for people to share their talents—and explore their vulnerabilities—within a supportive environment. Wholesome also facilitates conversations designed to connect people across cultures and generations.
“At Wholesome events, people might read poetry, sing, dance, tell stories, or facilitate a conversation. What sets these events apart is that everyone present is attending in a spirit of support, not criticism. They are designed to help people feel included and seen, whether they are on stage or in the audience.”
As Navarro and her co-creator continue to grow this new business, they seek to incorporate people from all generations. “Young people bring fresh ideas, and older adults bring wisdom and experience. We want people to walk away from a Wholesome event with a strong sense of self and maybe a new perspective,” she said.
The History of Wholesome
In April 2022, Wholesome hosted its first event outside Philadelphia at 3 Dots in State College, an inclusive community space designed to promote local arts and humanities. The event featured Molly Countermine, associate teaching professor of Human Development and Family Studies, who facilitated a conversation on authenticity.
For Emmanuel Williams, creator of Wholesome, LLC and 2022 graduate of Penn State’s Communication Arts and Sciences program, hosting an event in State College represented a new phase for the budding company.
“This event represented us leaving a piece of Wholesome behind at Penn State, as well as Wholesome starting a new chapter for the future. It was really a milestone for Wholesome, and it only invigorated and excited me more for the future.”
Williams started Wholesome as a clothing brand, Wholesome Attire, as a way to inspire, unite, and uplift the Black community at Penn State. As a freshman, he had hoped to see a stronger sense of community amongst people of color, so he started creating clothing designs and sharing them with his peers at campus events.
As Wholesome gained traction and Williams saw people proudly wearing Wholesome Attire, he decided to establish Wholesome as an LLC and expand its mission.
“Wholesome now devotes itself to inspiring authentic living amongst all people who are interested in uncovering what that means for them. Jaclyn has been a huge asset in making this shift in the purpose of the business, and she has truly given meaning to this mission.”
Wholesome Supporting Artists
Jaclyn Navarro and Emmanuel Williams represent Wholesome, LLC at an event celebrating Black artists in Philadelphia.
Wholesome’s Leadership
Jaclyn Navarro and Emmanuel Williams are creators of Wholesome, LLC, a business designed to empower people to live authentically.
Bringing Wholesome to Penn State
Members of the Penn State Caribbean Student Association sported Wholesome gear at the Paint and Powder FETE last fall.
“Let Your Future Self Breathe”
Art was featured at a recent Wholesome event at 3 Dots in State College, where attendees participated in a conversation about authenticity.
Wholesome Supporting Artists
Jaclyn Navarro and Emmanuel Williams represent Wholesome, LLC at an event celebrating Black artists in Philadelphia.
Wholesome’s Leadership
Jaclyn Navarro and Emmanuel Williams are creators of Wholesome, LLC, a business designed to empower people to live authentically.
Bringing Wholesome to Penn State
Members of the Penn State Caribbean Student Association sported Wholesome gear at the Paint and Powder FETE last fall.
“Let Your Future Self Breathe”
Art was featured at a recent Wholesome event at 3 Dots in State College, where attendees participated in a conversation about authenticity.
Next steps for Wholesome
After graduating this spring, Navarro returned to Philadelphia to continue her work with Wholesome. The organization has big goals, including national—and even international—expansion, alongside new and creative ways to connect people in person and online. Wholesome continues its clothing brand and has plans to create an app.
Navarro has big goals for herself, as well. In addition to dedicating her time to cultivating the Wholesome brand and building her entrepreneurial skills, she plans to pursue a certification in hypnotherapy.
“In everything I do, as an entrepreneur or a hypnotherapist, I want to help people,” said Navarro. “I want to stress self-love and self-acceptance because without feeling those things toward yourself, you can’t spread them to others.”
Navarro credits her degree in HDFS with giving her the skills to pursue life as an entrepreneur, driving Wholesome’s growth. After taking classes that helped her understand human development and trauma, she developed a greater understanding of people and how to embody non-judgement.
“HDFS as a degree is about advancing humanity, as individuals and communities. My classes deepened my passion for people and helped me understand how I can be a better person and a better entrepreneur.”
