Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Wilder.
Hi Leigh, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Positive Osmosis grew out of a realization: I had become an expert at reading everyone else — and a stranger to myself.
For most of my life, I was a detective of other people’s needs. I could walk into a room and immediately sense what was expected, what would keep the peace, what would maintain connection. I adapted quickly. I performed strength well. What I didn’t know how to do was ask: What do I feel? What do I need? Who am I if I’m not responding to someone else?
Belonging had quietly become self-abandonment.
When I began seeking help, I assumed healing would be something I could think my way through. But trauma isn’t only cognitive — it lives in the body. I had to learn that healing wasn’t something to think my way through — it was something to feel my way into. And I am still learning that.
Finding the right support wasn’t straightforward. It took time to discover trauma-informed and body-based approaches that helped me reconnect with sensations I had overridden for decades. Learning the language of the body after silencing it for so long is humbling work.
There were painful decisions along the way, including stepping back from family relationships in order to heal. That grief is real. But it also created space.
Positive Osmosis grew directly from that space.
I’ve always loved fashion — not because of trends, but because clothing communicates identity. For years, I wore what projected competence and strength outwardly, even when I didn’t always feel it internally. As I began healing, I started asking a different question: What if clothing could be part of the healing process — not just part of the presentation? That question became the foundation of Positive Osmosis.
That’s why every Positive Osmosis hoodie and accessory features affirmations printed on the inside of the garment — where only the wearer sees them. Messages like “My possibilities are endless” and “I determine my own self-worth” aren’t meant to perform for the world. They’re meant to be absorbed quietly, over time.
Osmosis is the gradual absorption of something into something else. The design reflects the belief that healing isn’t loud — it’s personal. It happens from the inside out.
Positive Osmosis is also built on impact. 25% of profits are donated to organizations that support individuals healing from trauma. Giving back isn’t an afterthought — it’s woven into the foundation of the brand. The goal is not only to encourage inner strength, but to help fund spaces where healing can happen.
Through my website and blog, I share reflections and resources that have supported me along the way. My hope is that when someone sees the Positive Osmosis logo, they recognize something deeper — that the person wearing it is doing courageous inner work. That it represents quiet strength, self-respect, love, and the willingness to grow.
Positive Osmosis isn’t about perfection. It’s about returning — again and again — to who you truly are. And like healing, it’s still evolving.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a straight line at all.
Building Positive Osmosis has required me to build capacity — emotionally, financially, and practically. Trauma work doesn’t unfold neatly. There are seasons of energy and clarity, and there are moments when something gets triggered — a financial misstep, a slow sales period, a post that doesn’t gain traction — and my nervous system wants to shut down. Learning to stay present instead of abandoning myself has become part of the work.
There have also been external realities. I’m building this business in a season of life where many people are trying to scale back — and I’m scaling up. Navigating the workforce as a woman over 60 comes with its own challenges. I’ve actively looked for supplemental work and felt the quiet weight of age bias. At the same time, I’m teaching myself technology and social media in a landscape that changes almost daily. It can feel like learning a new language while already running a marathon.
Financially, I don’t have a large marketing budget behind me. I’ve had to grow slowly and intentionally. I’ve sent hoodies to influential voices hoping for amplification and heard nothing back. I’ve had people tell me it’s a beautiful concept — but not purchase. When the brand is rooted in your personal healing journey, those moments can feel personal.
And in some ways, they are.
But I’m learning not to measure value by immediate visibility. I’m learning that sustainability matters more than speed. Building something aligned with integrity takes patience. The growth may be gradual, but it’s real.
Positive Osmosis is built the same way healing happens — steadily, imperfectly, and from the inside out.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Positive Osmosis LLC?
Positive Osmosis is a mission-driven apparel and accessory brand designed to support healing from the inside out.
We create thoughtfully designed hoodies and lifestyle pieces featuring affirmations printed on the inside of the garment — where only the wearer sees them. That detail is intentional. The message isn’t meant for performance. It’s meant for the person wearing it.
The brand resonates most deeply with individuals — particularly women in midlife — who are navigating healing, personal reinvention, or major life transitions. Many of our customers are doing quiet inner work and aren’t looking for loud declarations. They’re looking for steady reinforcement — something that feels grounding and personal.
Because of that, our pieces also make meaningful gifts. They’re often given to someone going through a difficult season, celebrating growth, or beginning again. It’s a way of saying, “I see your strength,” without needing a long explanation.
What sets Positive Osmosis apart is that the philosophy is embedded directly into the construction of each piece. The affirmations aren’t decorative — they’re integrated into the design so they can be absorbed gradually over time.
Twenty-five percent of profits are donated to organizations supporting individuals healing from trauma. Giving back isn’t a campaign — it’s woven into the foundation of the brand.
Positive Osmosis is independently run, and each piece is created with intention and care. Our offerings are available online at PositiveOsmosis.org, where customers can explore the collection and learn more about the mission.
At its core, the brand represents quiet strength. It exists for anyone learning to return to themselves — or supporting someone they love who is doing that work.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
This work has not happened in isolation.
One of the biggest surprises of my journey has been discovering community in Jacksonville. If you had asked me years ago where I would find healing and depth, I wouldn’t have guessed it would be here. Yet it’s here that I’ve met women — many in midlife — who are doing courageous inner work. They’ve become mentors, mirrors, and steady presences. In many ways, they’ve become a new kind of family.
Being part of the local creative community has also mattered. Showing up at places like the Jax Beach and Penman markets has allowed me to connect with customers face-to-face. Those conversations — hearing someone say, “I needed this message” — remind me why I’m doing this work. Local markets have given the brand roots.
I’ve also had quiet supporters along the way — people who believed in the concept before it had traction. Friends who gave honest feedback. Customers who purchased early and shared the message. Every small encouragement mattered.
And my son has been one of my greatest cheerleaders. Watching him grow into his own self-awareness while supporting my work has been deeply meaningful. His belief in me — especially during uncertain seasons — has strengthened mine.
Positive Osmosis may be independently run, but it is deeply community-supported. I’m grateful for the people who continue to show up — not just for the brand, but for the work behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.positiveosmosis.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiveosmosis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveOsmosisLLC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-wilder-5a2b9152/
