Ostenson, whose career includes leadership roles at Atkins, Jenny Craig and Curves, said her interest in wellness began while working at a gym post-college.
“After Jenny Craig, I was ready to really grow myself as a leader and so I decided to take some time away, go back and get my MBA focused in marketing and leadership and really find out how to become the leader that I needed when I was coming into the industry,” she said.
While completing her MBA, Ostenson balanced a full-time job and applied the lessons she learned from the classroom directly to her day-to-day responsibilities.
Discussing the supplement industry’s evolving landscape, she noted that women are increasingly influencing leadership and innovation because they are the primary purchasers of supplements for their families. She pointed to growing categories such as beauty-from-within and women-focused sports nutrition as major drivers of change.
The conversation also touched on mentorship, constructive feedback and work-life balance. Ostenson said mentors across multiple disciplines have helped shape her perspective and leadership approach, while creative outlets outside of work like gardening, cooking and time outdoors have helped fuel innovation and problem-solving.
“[Having] a creative passion outside of work is something that I’m really, really a proponent of,” she said. “I think some of my best ideas are not while I’m sitting here at this desk or doing that in a meeting–it’s outside of work.”
Looking ahead, Ostenson shared that The Better Being Co. is gearing up for several product launches, including innovations in creatine and omega formulations, as consumer interest in established ingredients continues to grow.
