Meet Jodie Davies | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Jodie, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
For Next Session it started with me watching the used wetsuits in my garage pile up – I couldn’t bring myself to throw them in the trash because it seemed so wasteful. Coupled with that, I had been thinking about commitment rings – more like the silicon type – as a way to create awareness around declining ocean health and a reminder for us each to do our part to turn it around. One night while at my daughters gymnastics class, I was looking on YouTube for inspiration and came across a video of someone making a ring out of denim. I was inspired by this recycling idea and thought…that’s it! I combined my commitment ring idea, with a deep desire to recycle wetsuits, and Next Session was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey has been an interesting one. After dropping out of high school, I spent my late teens and early 20’s working in surf and ski retail while I battled alcoholism and recovery. Looking back I’m surprised I was able to hold down my jobs with all the turmoil in my life.

At 28 I managed to get myself into University to undertake a Business Economics degree. This endeavor had a shaky start due to a life threatening ice climbing fall I experienced in New Zealand just prior to starting University. So having been out of a classroom for over 10 years, and on crutches with a broken ankle, I started University. I adapted and managed to do quite well. So much so that I was approached by PwC and offered a consulting position which I held for the next 10+ years. PwC also gave me the opportunity to relocate to the US after attending a global, innovative, leadership development program which is also where I met my wife.

When we were planning our family, I decided it was time to stop traveling as much and moved to industry. I went to work for a large consumer goods company as Director of Portfolio Management and then moved on to become VP-Client Solutions for a subscription tech company. I had a great career trajectory, it just didn’t provide the right level of balance with passion that I craved. So about 4 years ago I decided to make the big leap, and left my well paying corporate job to pursue the things that truly bring me joy.

My first endeavor was to create outdoors games from recycled ocean plastic to help with the ocean lean up. I quickly learned that investment costs and logistics/supply chain challenges were significant, and decided to let this idea go. This was not a total loss though as it gave me time and space to think creatively – which lead to Next Session and more recently Buff Junkie.

Being authentic is very important in everything I do. With Next Session, I needed to learn how to use a lathe and CNC machine as I make all the recycled products myself. To do this I went back to community college and completed a machine shop course. That was REALLY fun and very empowering to learn new skills at this stage in my live. Now I’m very proud of the products I make and have a number of retailers that sell my rings and jewelry who are incredible partners to work with. I also raise money and contribute to ocean conservation charities which is my way of giving back to something that I love deeply.

Most recently, I launched Buff Junkie which is the brand that best represents who I truly am. This brand focuses on positive addictions that enrich everyday life. For me personally, my obsessive and addictive personality is what gives me an edge. I have drive and a determination in myself that I don’t always see in others. I see this as a gift. It took me a long time to see it this way, but it’s important to focus on the positives and live an authentic life.

For now I’m staying focused on growing both Next Session and Buff Junkie and can’t wait to see where they take me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For me my favorite places are anywhere up or down the coast. We have a van and do a lot of camping at many of the good surf spots in Southern California. So if we pointed south San Clemente, San Onofre, Carlsbad and into San Diego represent my favorite hang outs. Similarly, if we headed north, you basically can’t go wrong with any coastal spots between Los Angeles and San Francisco. I have met so many incredible and interesting people in the line ups surfing, and I absolutely love to make connections that way, doing what I love.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That recognition 100% goes to my wife DeAnne. Without her support I couldn’t have left my corporate job to pursue my passion projects. She continues to support all of my ideas. Just recently I launched a new business called Buff Junkie (@buffjunkie) which is about embracing positive addictions like surfing, skating, yoga or whatever that pushes you and makes you a better you. Having someone that gets behind all of my bold and sometimes crazy ideas, means so much and empowers me to try new things.

Website: www.nextsession.surf and www.buffjunkie.com

Instagram: @nextsession @buffjunkie

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdavies051

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextsession1/ https://www.facebook.com/buffjunkie