Pulse August 2019 | Page 64

Our ISPA community is full of diverse talents and inspiring stories, all working towards the same goal: a healthier world. Meet Jennifer boonlorn OWNER AND FOUNDER • SOUL CARRIER • PHOENIX, ARIZONA nicknamed “the social mayor” by her friends, Jennifer Boonlorn has a talent for connection. “I see connections between people, and I love business match-making. My friends call me the ‘mayor’ because of my ginormous social circle and the fact that so many people consider me their very close friend. I would say my random talent is helping people by listening to their needs, and then knowing another contact who could help that first person fulfill that specific need. “I am second generation Thai—my dad came over from Bangkok to receive his master’s in architecture from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. I was homeschooled all the way through high school and went to college at Arizona State University before attending Parsons School of Design.” Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Jenn has been designing and selling her timeless collection of Soul Carrier handbags to the spa industry for the past four years. On top of her creativity, she has another character trait that sets her apart from many others: resilience. The reason why might surprise you. “My homes have always been next to places that are connected to my parents. While a student at Parsons in NYC, I had an apartment in the West Village of Manhattan that turned out to be next to the very building that my mother used to live in when she was my age. And then when I moved back home to Phoenix, I bought a mid-century modern condo that is across the street from the architectural firm my father worked at while I was in grade school. I find these facts endearing and special because I lost both my parents while a junior in college in a car accident that my entire family was involved in. It makes me feel safe and still looked after. I am most proud of myself for overcoming the fires in life that have been thrown my way and learning how to get back up and thrive again.” 62 PULSE ■ aUgUSt 2019 n