Meet Jennifer Johnson | Founder & Owner of SóL Visors UV Protection

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started SóL Visors I felt that I had no choice. I knew there was a problem and there wasn’t a solution out there. Knowing that I wasn’t alone I felt obligated and excited to create a premium, comfortable, fashionable, and most importantly efficacious sun visor. If you go back 8 years prior to the conception of SóL Visors, there I was with dark spots on my face. I had been talked into doing a laser treatment only to become extremely sensitive to the sun. Being a California beach girl, there was no keeping me out of the sun and my face repeatedly had pigmentation issues no matter what I did. Specialty facials, peels, resurfacing lasers, anti-inflammation diets, vitamins, nothing lasted. Being devastated yet determined to find a way to enjoy the sun I started wearing large hats and face visors while out in the sun along with sunscreen. The visors stated they were UPF 50+ meaning they protect 98-100% of the sun’s harmful UVA & UVB rays, but when dark spots continued to resurface after treatments, I questioned the efficacy and had them tested. My suspicions were correct and those $30 visors that I had been purchasing on Amazon allowed 40% UV transmittents, which is equivalent to no protection. Not to mention that I had gone through 10+ visors because they would break, I also had been putting up with severe pain from the visor clamp squeezing the sides of my head just to get the proper protection I thought I was getting. So, when they weren’t even efficacious, I was livid and knew I needed to create quality visors I could trust to protect myself and others from harmful UV damage and SóL Visors was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After being a serial entrepreneur, I knew that this was the company that was going to go big. This has allowed me to put my whole heart, all my resources, and continues to drive me everyday. My life is SóL Visors, and I love it! I’m continually strategizing, thinking of new ways of doing things, working in and on the business. I truly love that I get to work on a business that is helping people not only to prevent cancer, aging, melasma, and all of the other health aspects but also the environment. When I was at Pepperdine Graziadio earning my MBA, I was president of Net Impact where I dedicated my time to making a positive difference for our mother earth. Immediately upon graduating I started SóL Visors, when it came to looking into packaging I couldn’t get myself to create custom boxes, even though they were from “recycled” materials so after many days of ideation I came up with the movement of http://www.savetheboxes.com. For SóL Visors this resulted in using reused boxes for all of our shipping. This reduces the amount of trees cut down two-fold. Not only are we not creating “new boxes” we are also repurposing other boxes that would otherwise just be recycled. This means you can feel good about your negative carbon imprint when ordering from us! SóL Visors also use a special kraft paper packaging tape that is indeed recyclable, unlike the plastic tape many other companies use. The biggest lesson I learned is have everything in a legal contract. If you’re going to work with anyone, no matter how close they are to you, put it in a contract. I was told this over and over in school but when it came down to it, I trusted people, how could you not trust your best-friends. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way, but you don’t have to! There are so many resources out there, you just have to use them.

I would want the world to know that I care about the products I put out and create with love and healing energy. Being committed to staying naturally young and healthy, I wanted to create the best products that make the biggest difference!

Growing up near the ocean in sunny Southern California, I had a lot of UV exposure. When I hit my mid 20’s, I learned about all of the harmful effects of UV radiation and went on a mission to reverse my skin damage and prevent future injury. After being unsuccessful in finding effective, fashionable, and healthy products, I decided to create my own and SóL Beauty USA was born! SóL Visors allow you to get your daily dose of Vitamin D and enjoy time in the sun while saving your skin from UV damage. My products combine protection and efficacy with style. All of the SóL Visors are certified UPF 50+ (via independent testing) and block >98% of UVA & UVB rays, the highest possible. They are heat and scratch resistant as well as ANSI Z80.3 certified.

In addition to SóL Visors, we have other products for skin health and rejuvenation, including jade gua sha stone for stimulating elastin and collagen synthesis, golden solar wand for better lymphatic circulation, and non-abrasive silk eye mask for restful sleep. All of my beauty products are tools that I use myself. At SóL Beauty USA, we live, breath and practice skin health. We are truly focused on reversing and preventing aging through natural, healthy alternatives and there is much more to come. We want SóL Beauty USA to be synonymous with the fountain of youth. I hope you enjoy!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting LA I would show them a magical time. Rafi Lounge! A must! With breathtaking full ocean views, beautiful and classy Tulum vibe décor, and the most wonderful people. We can get a fun dance or other workout in, eat some delicious organic food, and watch the sunset. Rafi himself was a monk and a world traveler so his lounge is an accumulation of the best parts of our world. Rafi teaches Tai Chi & Qigong so that is a must! Have you ever felt life force energy in the palms of your hands? Yes, it’s magic.
Hikes are in for sure! Depending on the time of year I’d recommend different hikes. Now that we’re in summer I like to do shorter and/or morning or sunset hikes to avoid peak high UV radiation. The Point Dume hike is beautiful for sunset, I often see dolphins, whales, and sealions. There’s multiple access points and even a lovely beach. We could follow that up with a yummy meal from The Sunset (be sure you get a reservation ahead of time.)
Also, at Point Dume is the Sorenity Rocks Crystal Sanctuary!! It’s a magical place that is like no other…probably best to go on the way to the beach as they close before sunset.
Sunday morning, we’re going to kundalini with Charmaine at The Yogi Tree in Valley Village. Although every kundalini class is different, they’re all the recipe for something that you need from each and every class. Without kundalini I don’t know who I would be, I always encourage my friends to come! We’d then follow it up with a trip to the Studio City Farmer’s Market, they have the best offerings of organic fruits vegetables, have a great organic juicing vendor, and some delicious hot foods as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank Pepperdine Graziadio Business School for giving me the foundation and know how of how to start and continue a successful business. Prior to attending Graziadio I had attempted to start many business only to put in a lot of effort and fail. I’m incredibly grateful for the love and dedication that the professors give, especially Larry Cox, the head of Entrepreneurship at Graziadio. He provided great resources, direction, feedback and was/is always available to help, even after I graduated. Thank you!

Website: www.solvisors.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solvisors/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67481864/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/solvisors

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SóL-Visors-101619925419680/

Other: Tik Tok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdDtQWHU/

Image Credits
Miss United States photo is Tiffany Rae @officialmissunitedstates photo taken by Jose Burrola/Intuition Design Photography @intutiondesignphotography Miss California is Alana Morgan @_alanamorgan_ Awesome hair with mini visor: Heather Wilson @mychocolatechipchick Child in rainbow visor: Zoey Heavilin @zoeyhjane Mother Daughter: Aubrey & Stephanie Silber @silber009 Looking away in extended visor: Alysee Nicole @alysse_nicole_ All White threesome L-R: Charmaine Hamp @lovealchemy11, Jennifer Johnson @jeniuslife, Stephanie Silber @silber009 All photos (except Miss United States) taken by SóL Visors @solvisors founder Jennifer Johnson @jeniuslife with permission and signed releases for SóL Visors unlimited use. All @ are instagram handles