She Left a 60-Hour Corporate Career to Make Stickers. Now She's a Bestselling Author.

She was thriving in corporate — big teams, big projects, 60-hour weeks, addicted to the next promotion. Then her son was born five weeks early, and she almost didn't make it.

In that hospital room, everything she thought she wanted stopped mattering.

In this episode of Girl, Why Not You?, I sit down with Wendy Jensen — bestselling children's book author and founder of Scandinavian Hearts — about the moment she realized climbing the corporate ladder wasn't her path anymore. Not because she hated it. Because she loved something else more.

Wendy shares how she went from corporate executive to freelance consultant to launching a heritage-inspired brand — starting with stickers — that turned into four bestselling children's books. No publishing deal. No writing degree. Just a woman who Googled "how to write a children's book" and went for it.

We get into:

• Why she almost died during childbirth and how it rewired everything
• The difference between corporate success and the success that actually fills you up
• How helping small business owners inspired her to become one
• Turning family traditions into a bestselling book series
• Why "test and learn, fail fast" isn't just corporate jargon — it's how she built her whole second chapter

If you've ever felt stuck on a ladder that doesn't even lead where you want to go — this one's for you.

Find Wendy at scandinavianhearts.com and on Instagram @scandinavianhearts.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

I'm Jenny Blackwood, a small town mom of four who refused to settle for a life that didn't light me up. When everything felt uncertain, I didn't run back to a nine-to-five, I bet on myself. I took a simple idea and turned it into an almost seven-figure business my first year, all while being a mom first. Now I'm here to help you trust your own power, chase the dream that keeps tapping your shoulder, and build a life that feels like you. This is Girl Why Not You. Hello, hello, everybody. Welcome back to another exciting episode of Girl Why Not You. I'm your host, Jenny Blackwood, and this show is all about moments when people decide to stop following the path that looks good on paper and start building the life that actually feels aligned with who they are. Because sometimes the biggest pivots in our lives don't come from chasing more success. They come from redefining what success even means. Today's guest knows that moment very well. Before becoming an author and founder, Wendy built a successful career in the corporate world. She was a corporate executive, the kind of role that represents years of hard work, stability, and the traditional definition of making it. But when she became a mother, something shifted. The long hours and corporate milestones that once motivated her started to feel disconnected from the life she wanted to model for her children. And that moment forced her to ask a much bigger question. What does success actually look like for me now? That question eventually led her to step away from the traditional path and create something entirely her own. Today she's the founder of Scandinavian Hearts, a brand inspired by family traditions, creativity, and meaningful connection. She's also the author of She's also the author of four best-selling children's books, turning the traditions and values she grew up with into stories that families now share all over the world. Her story is such a powerful reminder that success doesn't always mean climbing higher on some ladder. Am I right? Sometimes it means building a completely different one. Wendy, welcome to Girl, Why Not You.

SPEAKER_01 2:12

Oh, thank you, Jenny. I'm so excited to be here.

SPEAKER_00 2:15

I am so excited to have you. This is a really big deal. I mean, you went from one total side of like, I'm this badass corporate person. Look what I've done. I've worked so hard to climb this ladder to, you know what? I don't really think this is for me anymore. And a big shift you made.

SPEAKER_01 2:34

Yeah, I mean, thank you. I love hearing it. Like, it's so fun looking at things in the rear view, you know, at the time when you're jumping off the ladder, you're like, what's gonna land beneath me? So um being able to kind of like look back is really fun to see that progression.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

That is so true. So let's go back. Let's talk about you had built a successful corporate career, the correct kind of career, honestly, that many people work years and years and years to achieve. Like we all, a lot of people listening to this probably understand that grind very well. So, can you tell us a little bit about what did your life look like at that time? What did that chapter have?

SPEAKER_01 3:12

Yeah, I mean, I'm so grateful. And it was so fun and exciting, and I absolutely loved it. And I was thriving, and I was really addicted to it, it was almost like an adrenaline thing. Yeah. So everything that we'd learned, like I said, about success, like um, the fulfillment of it was just like it was like ting, ting, ting, ting, you know, like the promotion, the pay raise, the bigger team, the bigger projects. And um, I was just eating it all up and loving it. And um, like I said, when we decided to have a family, everything kind of changed for me. And I had this revelation of like, um, you know, my son was born five weeks early. Oh, and I I was pre-clampsic. I didn't know. Um my last meeting was at four o'clock, and my son was born at seven that same night. And wow, I was like, I have been telling myself that family is so important to me, and I really value family, and I'm excited about this next chapter next chapter and having kids. But then I'm like, but I'm not prioritizing family, I'm not even prioritizing myself. Um, you know, what a shift. And all these like things that were like tinging for me, like checking the boxes, was kind of this like programming that I'd had, and it was very fulfilling, but um yeah, I didn't I didn't know how I could do that with a child. I was working 60 hours a week, I was managing big teams, I was managing big projects, and I loved it, but it was 150% of who I was, and wow, I wanted who I was to ch to change.

SPEAKER_00 4:52

That is so wild. I mean, it is as mothers, it's so funny. It's like I I talk about this all the time how when before you have kids and people say, Oh gosh, your life just changes in ways you can have, you're like, Yeah, yeah, like I'm sure it does. You can you can see it, but you really don't understand it until you've had a child. And then it's just like something just snaps and you're like, oh my God, I have to change everything, you know? And so I could see how you had that. So it was a pretty like immediate shift for you. Would you say that more than being like a gradual?

SPEAKER_01 5:22

Oh my gosh, a hundred percent. Like you said, I mean, I imagine I was gonna have it all organized. So I was gonna work, the kid was gonna go to daycare, like we were gonna have, and then I was gonna pick up like we had it all organized. And then um, you know, we we almost died, both my son and I like very we're so healthy and we're great and we're amazing, and we're so lovely. Yeah, yeah, but we were in the hospital for a long time. You know, everyone talks about their birth plans and their birth plans.

SPEAKER_00 5:50

Throw the birth plans in the trash, everyone.

SPEAKER_01 5:52

In the trash. I had no control over any of it, and I was just like, in this very moment, my values and my foundation, and like I need to take care of this baby. Like, period. Yes, that's it. Like, we are so lucky, we're thriving, we're healthy, we're alive. Like, my core value is to take care of this kid. So everything changed in an instant. And I had no idea that like that would be my next step, 100%.

SPEAKER_00 6:21

And how crazy is that? I mean, you are somebody who can actually say you loved your corporate job, right? Most of us are like, screw corporate, but you're like, no, I loved my job. You were getting dopamine after dopamine for all the things that come along with that, which, you know, you're um in a very good way, you're a rare breed. I mean, not everybody loves that type of structure, but it's wild to think that you were like, no, this is my path. This is what I'm doing. And it's crazy to think that it wasn't gradual. It was a split second where everything changed. And I think that's hard for a lot of people to understand. You know, a lot of us are control freaks, me at the top of the list there on that one. You know, and it's like we like things to fall in line. We like things to follow a plan. We like the birth plan that I told you to throw at the trash. Oh my God. Just be ready to throw it all in the trash. But, you know, I think it's very, very interesting that you're like, oh no, it was one split second where I almost lost my life and my sons and everything changed. So for you, would you say that when you made that change in your mind, right? This is too everything's gonna be different now that this baby's here. Did was that something that felt scary for you, or was it something that you were just like, nope, this is the new me right away?

SPEAKER_01 7:36

Um, I mean, that's a really good question. And I would say yes and yes. Like 100% it felt scary. And I mean, it did take like some convincing in my head. Like, I wasn't like, oh, I'm gonna quit my job, but I was like, oh man, so much has to change right now. Yeah. And then I'm like, how is that change gonna work? And my brain, I couldn't foresee, I it was like I had split personalities, and I couldn't figure out how I was gonna like merge this mom into this corporate thing and this corporate thing into this mom thing, and I didn't want to compromise either. And I didn't want to live with regrets. Like, what if I don't? What if I and so I think it's it's a really interesting time that we're living in. Um, both my mom and my dad retired in the same exact job that they had when they started. Same exact so like my mom was a second grade teacher, same school, same classroom, same everything. Um, which I love for her because like she's like famous in her community because she's like influenced so many kids. But my dad, same thing. He had the same office, the same desk, the same managers. And nowadays, I'm like, I could have 20 jobs and it would only make my resume look better. And um, I'm not stuck in this world where like if I make a shift, like my life is over. So I had a lot of confidence that it's like for me for right now, I need to make a change. I don't know what that's gonna look like. I don't know what that's gonna be like, but it's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay. I have a lot of career left in me. I have a lot of life left in me. And if I'm in five changes or 50 changes or one change, like it's okay. Like I'm gonna be okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:16

What a great way to just be open. Just be open to life. Be open to the fact that maybe not everything you've ever thought was gonna be a certain way could be different, right? Why not be able to pivot? Why not be able to take different paths throughout life? We only have one life. We should be able to take any path that comes along our way. So I think it's it's obviously motherhood can shift identity and priorities in pretty powerful ways. I think we could both agree with that. So, okay, so we're gonna turn your personal passion now into something that I am so excited for you to share with these listeners today. So your business actually started with something very, very personal. And I think a lot of people are gonna be able to get behind this your family traditions. So I want you to dive in now. How did Scandinavian hearts become? After here you are, you're you're in the hospital room, you've barely made it, your baby's barely made it, you're having all of these like mindset shifts. How did this transition go between what you always knew into this beautiful Scandinavian hearts?

SPEAKER_01 10:17

Uh yeah, and it's so, like I said, it's so easy to stay looking backwards, like the step seemed really obvious, but at the time it did not seem obvious at all. It did seem very scary. And I knew that I needed to make a change in my career, but I didn't know what. So at that time, my priority really was time, time with my baby. Um and so I'm like, how can I do what I do and use my experience but still have time? So I decided to um start consulting. So I left my corporate job and I started consulting with like clients and customers and colleagues and contacts from that career. So it felt smart. Yeah, it felt very safe. It was a very nice evolution that's like, okay, okay, I'm in my flow. Like, um, I got this. And then um I started to really lean into small business owners. And you know, working for corporations was really fun. And like I said, I, you know, got this like high off of it. But the adrenaline for like working for other people became less and less. And then I started to meet, you know, I always loved going to the Sunday market and like small businesses, and I just love these people. And um, I was so humbled by their stories, and I'm like, if I can help them, like it's amazing. So using my knowledge and these like small businesses made a real impact. Um, wow. You know, turning a big boat in these corporations is really hard, but turning a little boat, it just takes one or two or three tips. And you're like, look at that, look at the impact I made. And so I that was a really big um aha moment for me was like switching to small business owners and entrepreneurs and like really helping um helping like real people with real stories, and that really inspired me a lot.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

That is such uh it is such a good point. When I think of small business owners, it like makes me emotional because you're thinking about these people that really just took a chance on themselves, on something that was their passion, something that they really believed could turn into something, you know, and they decided to more often than not leave a corporate space to just take a risk and take a chance on themselves. And that's hard work. That is hard to do mentally, physically. It's a lot, but it's like I have so much love and respect for so that must have been really interesting for you to go, huh? I've always, I've always ran the giant ship, right? I've always been in that world. Like, you know, it's like untouchable. But then you see these people who are truly fighting for a life that they're dreaming of and people who are willing to step outside the box and step outside of the norm and just pray and hope that everything goes well. So I could see how that would really make you go, like, oh my gosh, this is like, this is what it's all about. You know, this is such a different place. So, so you decide to become an author. Talk to us about that. You know, it's like I I love hearing this type of thing so much because I think it really exudes, hey guys, guess what? It doesn't matter if this is something you've never done, never thought about. If the idea pops into your head and it sounds like a great idea, freaking run with it. Why not? Like, why not? So tell us, how did you make that transition into becoming an author?

SPEAKER_01 13:39

Yeah, a hundred percent. Um, and so I think it's so interesting because, you know, in talking about my story, we keep talking about the ladder, the ladder, the ladder. And it's weird how like that's how we're trained to think. And um, I as I like went off on my own, I'm like, wow, it doesn't need to go straight up. It can literally be just anything. So I'm like, oh, I'm gonna be consulting. Oh, I'm gonna like help small business owners, oh, I'm gonna start a business. Oh, I should write a book. Like, yes, yes. So none of it really built. I gave myself the f the freedom of it's more like instead of the ladder, it was kind of like a canvas. Like, yeah, what am I gonna put here? Like, what can I add? What can I, what's gonna create value? And so really when I was helping, when I was consulting these small businesses, I realized that they they knew they had limited skills. So they knew they were very passionate artists or very passionate community builders or very passionate whatever, but a lot of them didn't have the e-commerce experience or didn't know email marketing or didn't so I'm like, okay, great, I can come in and help with that. Um, and then as I was helping them, I'm like, oh, I should just do my own thing. And if I do that, then I can show them. So I'm like, okay, I'll just start with like stickers or something. So I started with stickers, something really easy, so I can show them how to build. It was so fun, so fun. So I'm like, how's how do I build a website, how to do an email marketing campaign. Um, so I I loved, I've always loved hearts, and then I was really proud of my heritage. So I put um Scandinavian designs and symbols in these stickers and how cute is that. I love that. Yeah, and I passed them out in the community. I live in a very Scandinavian um community, and people loved them. And I was like, oh wow, like people actually love, like, I'm getting a lot of validation. Um, and a lot of people loved the designs, and they didn't always know what the story was become behind the symbols. So I'm like, okay, I guess I need to make children's books and like explaining. Yes, that's where we're going next. And my husband, my family are like, what are you talking about? Like, I've never I didn't study like to become a children's book author. I studied marketing and like you just like how why? And I'm like, I'm going to Google, I'm figuring it out, you know, like let's go. And so I figured it out. And the first book, I was writing it and I was doing some research. I'm like, I think, I think this could be a bestseller. And I'm like, no, that's crazy. And I'm like, I don't know, why did I go for it? And oh my god. Yeah. And so I kind of figured out. I talked to a lot of people and like I became a bestseller in all the categories that I was in for that first book. And I was like, okay, this is so fun. So yeah. Oh my gosh. So now I have four books.

SPEAKER_00 16:26

So you prove to yourself that you had never been an author before, and you're like, hey, this sounds like a good idea. Maybe it was on a random Tuesday you thought maybe I'll write my first book. And then all of a sudden, you turn into a best-selling author. That is like mind-blowing. Everybody listening to this should really listen to this story right now and whether you want to become an author or not. I don't care what it is you want to become and go, seriously. Oh my gosh, why can't I do this? Why can't I become this? Why can't I take this dream or even this idea? It doesn't even have to be a dream. It doesn't even have to be something that you've been marinating on for years and just never took the steps to do it. Like it could be something that comes to you tonight while you're in the shower. I don't care. But it's like, why not? Why not try it? That is so cool. So did you initially see Scandinavian Hearts becoming a business? Was it more of a passion project? Like, how did that evolve?

SPEAKER_01 17:20

Yeah, I mean, I wanted it to be a business and I thought it would be, you know, something fun to be on the side. But um, I guess I I don't know. I mean, it's so interesting because you're like follow that idea on the shower, the idea that you get in the sleep. And that's kind of what I've given myself the freedom to do. Um so I didn't really foresee it, you know, my consulting business was what I knew at the time, and I knew that to be successful. So I was like, okay, I think another thing that I really learned in my corporate job, um, one thing that we learned a lot is test and learn. So like test and learn, test and learn. And then my CEO would always say, it's okay, fail fast, just fail fast. And so it gave me this freedom of like, again, this era that we live in, like, we can really, you know, my parents' generation, they were stuck in their past and like they didn't have access to a lot of resources or people or things where like we can I can test and learn and I can fail fast and I can Google how to write a children's book and try. And maybe it would work and that's okay. But um, because I had other things that were working, I wasn't afraid to test. And so yeah, I didn't really have a vision of what Scandinavian Hearts was was or could be. I just knew like that next step was gonna be a really like meaningful thing for my clients and customers. And then I just now in my sleep and in the shower, I'm like, oh, I get these moments of ideas and inspiration. And I talk to my customers, I do a lot of events and like I get a ton of ideas from them. And um, it's just so fun being not tied down to a plan. And like I said, having this canvas of like, oh, I guess I could do that. I guess I could try that. And um, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:02

There's something exciting and scary about when you start something new, the unknown, because the unknown is exciting in a way where you go, oh my gosh, I am envisioning myself becoming a best-selling author. And then the the space that you know it's gonna take between writing the book and getting there, that feels a little scary. It can be intimidating. You're like, what if this doesn't turn into what I want it to be? Or what if it did? You know, so it's like the excitement of what could become is like, ooh, you know, like it feels good, but it also does bring anxiety. It does bring some fear. The unknown naturally is not a comfortable place to live in. So for you, you started this like, I mean, what do I have to lose? Like, if nothing else, like I've written a beautiful book, you have children, like it's something that they can have on for generations and generations. It's something where you're leaving your mark no matter what, but just even giving yourself the opportunity to just, hey, let's see where this goes. I think a lot of people leave that on the table. And so I'm proud of you for doing something about it, even when it was foreign, you know, good for you. So, okay, I love that. Um, so you tell us a little bit about the books. Like, I'd love to dive into what are these children's books and who they would resonate with.

SPEAKER_01 20:16

Yeah, a hundred percent. And then also just to go back on what you were saying, it's like it it is scary. It was scary, it is scary, it's still scary. Putting yourself out there is scary, being out there is scary. And this really comes back to you know what you mentioned in the intro about redefining success. And um, success to me, what I knew to be true was these promotions and the the money and the big all these things. And um, you know, at the company I worked for, we were a big company and we would promote things on the homepage and we would get hundreds of thousands of sales in one day. So you were used to. Yeah, in one day. So I was like, okay. And so I broke out on my own. And um it it's really, really humbling that like that's not the case, and that's not the case for a lot of these small business owners. And you know, I used to think like, ooh, they have a restaurant, that's so fancy. And now it's like, oh my gosh, like you said, I could almost be in tears. Like, I bet they're working so hard, and they may be wildly successful or not, but like that's not their measure of success. So really redefining what success was for me gave me the freedom and the space to do all these things because the children's book may or may not have um been a bestseller, but the impact it had on my kids and our family and myself is like infinite. So there's no way that it could have failed because I set myself up for success by redefining what success meant for me.

SPEAKER_00 21:52

That is so powerful. It really is powerful. I think, I think that you know, uh there's a there's There's a group of people out there that I think really, really struggle with change. And I think that that personality trait keeps a lot of people kind of just hunkered down, doing the same thing day in and day out. And you know, like looking back on your parents' story, there's nothing wrong with that. That's actually really great, especially in that era. You know, you get a job, you keep it for your whole career, and then you retire, right? So, but I think that there's people out there that still feel like that is the norm. And it really isn't. Like, it's like we are in a reinvention era, everybody. I don't care how old you are. I do not care how old you are, don't care where you live. Um, I feel like I'm starting to sing the Backstreet Boys song who you're from. As long as you love me. Um, but seriously, there are so many different opportunities out there, especially in this world of the internet, social media, AI, our new friend AI. There's so many different things that you could literally decide you want to be tonight and become it tomorrow. So just keep that in mind. And thank you for being so open, Wendy, about your redefinition and what that looked like. And that it wasn't that it was just such an easy, peasy, smooth, sailing path. It's just that you decided, hey, things changed. It's time to realign. What worked for me before isn't gonna keep working for me moving forward. My priorities have changed, and you were okay with that, even when it was scary and even when you didn't know what the outcome was gonna be. So I I think you are such a idol, you know, that people can look at and say, wow, like look at what she did. What if she did it? Why can't I do that? You know? So, so I I think that that's beautiful. I I can tell you, you're gonna laugh. I make up stories for my kid every night at bedtime and it gets hard. I just want to find good books that they'll read. So I'm very intrigued about the books that you've written. I think if there's something really when I was reading your uh pre-interview, I was like, oh my gosh, I can't wait to talk to her. Because it's it just feels like a magical thing that you're doing. I mean, for children to have heartfelt family-storied-centered things to grow up reading, you know, or to for people to read to them. That's huge. Think about when we were all kids, everybody. You probably all remember the books that meant the most that you wanted grandma to read to you over and over and over again. Like they leave an impact. They really do. And that's like, there's nothing more magical than influencing little tiny people, in my opinion. Um, so can you tell us more about the books? I I'm gonna be on Amazon right after this call, ordering all of them. So just know you have a new customer here.

SPEAKER_01 24:34

Oh, thank you. Yeah. Um, so the books. So I was able to kind of, you know, have this journey of redefining success, figuring it out. And one thing that I really latched on to was my heritage. And yeah, I think again, like as a mom, you're like, oh, I'm gonna have this family and these kids, and we're gonna sing songs and dance and cut, like all these things, and then you're like, oh crap, I'm doing dishes again, or you know, cleaning up spilled milk again. Like, when am I gonna get around to like teaching them about heritage or hosting these big parties or like cooking these traditional foods? And I was just like, again, kind of feeling like a failure, like, these kids are never gonna like know and understand these family stories and traditions that were so important to me and gave me so much joy growing up. And so I started to think about like, okay, what can I do like to really like really bring this heritage and these stories and this meaning into our home? And so, as I mentioned before, I started designing these hearts with little symbols in them. And I did it because I loved it. And um, so I was putting these stickers all over our house. I have them on our windows and mirrors, and um, it just it makes it filled me with joy and pride because I know what it represents. Um but what was interesting in doing this, doing this business is like I didn't realize like the community that it creates. So what it does is it opens up the opportunity to share a story. So the kids even, the kids are like, wait, what it what is that, mom? I'm like, oh, that's a dollar horse. It's a traditional Swedish symbol, la la la la, you know, and like what I'm and they're like, oh, that's so cool. And so then we're out like uh we have a Nordic museum here, and my daughter, when she was like four, she's like, Look, mom, it's a dollar horse. And I'm like, Oh, oh my gosh, I'm like, she is learning. Like I didn't have to like cook these huge meals or like host these, like in just like just in our lives, like we're learning these things in a really authentic way, and so it really inspired these books of like, wow, I can share these stories with other kids and other families and in a way that feels genuine. And I'm not like forcing tradition down their down their face. Like kids, you have to sit down and you have to learn what a dollar horse is. You will learn about this. Um, so it's just been so fun writing these books and sharing these stories in a way that um can be in everyone's home. And really the story is about just connection and um, you know, like honoring who you are and honoring your um your heritage and your family stories. And so each book has um at the end like questions about how does this apply to you, like what symbols are special in your life, and what you know, what are things special memories for you? And then each book has an activity at the end too, um, for the families to do together. So it really brings the book to life. Um not just with us. Yeah. So so yeah, it's been a really fun way to share um traditions of our heritage and then with others, and then so we live in a very traditional Scandinavian community. Um, and I noticed at the kids in school, like there's so many other people in our neighborhood now from all over the place. And I'm like, when I share stories of our heritage, then they start sharing stories of theirs. And I get to learn I know, I get to learn all these like really cool traditions and really cool stories. And so it's just kind of really fun.

SPEAKER_00 28:11

Awesome. That is so cool. Like, I love that you're doing that. I'm sitting over here of like shaming myself as a mom because I just got this horrible book from the library for my kids. It's about like potty time, and it is not it is not bringing family values. I'm gonna tell you that.

SPEAKER_01 28:28

So I I mean, honestly, there are so many, like, yeah, that's part of why I was inspired to write a book. Like, our kids are reading these books. I'm like, what?

SPEAKER_00 28:37

I'm like, like complete sentences or like real words or real, like, come on, like you are bringing real life tradition, things that I sadly think this day and age of people, kids are not gonna know. You know, it's not gonna be the same. It's not gonna be like, they're gonna be like, what's a tradition? What do you mean that we have roots to this? You know, it's just it's not gonna be the same, I don't think. And so for you to bring that into the children's lives, I love that. I am so excited to be a new reader of yours. Do you have plans to write more? Is this gonna keep going?

SPEAKER_01 29:12

Uh yeah, I absolutely love it. It's been so much fun. I have a illustrator that I found and she's in Sweden. And um, yeah, and so we everything in the book is really special and meaningful. We pick out all the little outfits. Um, I have a lot of like item items from um that have been passed down to me. And so I have them illustrated in the books, all these cute little knickknacks and hand meetings. Oh my gosh. So yeah, it's been a really, really fun way to um share and capture everything and been a really good yeah. My as you know, like not only are we parenting our kids, but then you get to an age where you start to like parent your parents. And you know, my dad's family, they're not around anymore, a lot of them. And so being able to like honor um them in a way that can like my kids can live with forever is really special.

SPEAKER_00 30:07

You know, fun fact my parents are Swedish and even had a license plate that said for Swede on it. And I think I might even know how to curse in in uh Swedish. Is oofta a curse word? Oh my gosh, that's funny. Um so yes, I I but I can tell you as much as my I feel like my family really embraced that as I grew up. Uh, I don't think that I knew even half of what you know the traditions were or things like that. My grandma would always make different like Swedish.

SPEAKER_01 30:40

I'm trying to think of um Ludafisk.

SPEAKER_00 30:43

Yeah. Have you ever had Under Armour? Oh, yes, what you just said. One of the things that you just said, what was the second thing you said?

SPEAKER_01 30:51

Uh Lexa is one and then Ludafisk.

SPEAKER_00 30:54

Ludafisk. I don't believe I ever participated in trying that. Um, but yes. So I love this. This makes me feel very excited to learn more about the traditions and culture and through your books and let my children learn that as well. Um I just find you to be very inspiring. I think that you're somebody that's like you are a real life person who has had many different walks of life. You look like you're you're still very young. So I think that you have many different walks still ahead of you, but good for you for just not like waiting for permission to pivot. You were like, nope, making a change. This is something that, you know, felt you were drawn to. I think that you were um, you were following the nudge. You were taking something that you're like, hey, why not? And almost like giving yourself a little challenge, not knowing how it would turn out, but wanting to see, like, can I do this? And I think that there's nothing wrong with that. You know, as we get older, I think life is full of challenges and it's all about which ones we're willing to take on and which ones we're not. So, Wendy, for someone listening who resonated with your story and wants to explore your books or follow along with what you're creating, where are the best places for them to go?

SPEAKER_01 32:04

Yeah, so my books are on um Amazon and um it's Scandinavian Hearts or Wendy Jensen. And then my website is Scandinavian Hearts and my Instagram is Scandinavian Hearts. So come follow along, come join me, come see what I'm up to. But um, yeah, I just love having the support in the community.

SPEAKER_00 32:22

You are so cool. Everybody, if this episode inspired you to start choosing what feels true for your life, you can explore Wendy's books, like she said, at scandinavianhearts.com or follow along on her Instagram. Make sure that you do. She's got many different things, I'm sure, in the hopper, that are gonna come our way. And I am gonna be one of the first signed up to make sure that I am ready. I will be heading over to Amazon directly after this episode. Wendy, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. Thank you for what you've contributed to society. Thank you for showing people out there that you don't have to just follow one path. You can take the path less less traveled. You can take the path less traveled and it can still have a great outcome. So thank you so much for being here today.

SPEAKER_01 33:06

Oh, thank you. I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00 33:09

Well, everybody, I hope that you feel very excited after this episode, very inspired, and I hope that those ideas that you've been mulling over are about to take flight. Please look at yourself in the mirror today and ask yourself, oh girl, why not you? Have a great rest of your day, everybody. If something in this episode made you sit up a little straighter or dream a little bigger, don't ignore it. That's your future nudging you. I'm living proof that you can start messy, start scared, start in the worst timing, and still create something beautiful. Thank you for listening to Girl, Why Not You. Now go take one small step towards the life you've been craving. Hit subscribe, leave a review if you feel called, and share this with someone who's ready for more.