Ask job seekers what they want from an employer today and the answers sound a lot alike: a workplace that treats people like people, leaders who are easy to reach, and room to build a career without giving up a life outside of it. Watkins Wellness is earning a reputation for delivering on all three. Employees describe a culture they felt from their first interview, executives who know them by name, and a company where work-life balance and flexibility are lived out, not just listed in a benefits packet. Employees like Anja Hollands say it’s the people, and the values they share, that make Watkins Wellness stand out.
What keeps employees there is a steady investment in their growth. At the maker of hot tubs, aquatic fitness equipment, cold plunges, and saunas, women say they’re recognized for their skills, ideas, and leadership, and that mentors and managers actively push them to learn more and take on bigger roles. Hollands has seen that support firsthand. Read on to find out what a career at Watkins Wellness looks like from the inside and why it deserves a spot on your radar.
Anja Hollands
- Director, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
- With Watkins Wellness for 4 years and 7 months
Was there a moment early in your career when someone encouraged you to apply for a role or opportunity you might not have pursued on your own? How has that experience influenced the way you manage your career and support others today?
Early in my career, I believed that I could achieve anything I set my mind to, as long as I was willing to put in the work. That mindset has shaped the way I approach both opportunities and challenges throughout my life.
When I attended university, the school did not offer a double major. I was convinced, however, that combining Finance and Logistics would give me the strongest foundation for a career in Supply Chain. Rather than accepting the limitations of the existing program, I met with the university president and proposed a solution: I would attend Finance classes one week and Logistics classes the next, while independently making up the material I missed. The university agreed, and my determination paid off. I became the first female student — and the first student overall — to complete a double major at that university. Today, double majors are common there, but at the time, it took a willingness to challenge the status quo and find a way forward.
I have carried that same mindset into other areas of my life. When I repeatedly raised concerns about how our HOA management company was treating residents and was ignored, I decided that complaining about the situation was not enough. I ran for a position on the board, became President, helped replace the management company, and worked to ensure our community receives the level of service residents deserve and pay for.
These experiences have reinforced a principle I believe in deeply: Don’t ask for change—be the change.
That philosophy also shapes how I support others in their careers. I believe in looking beyond the limitations people may see in themselves or the systems around them. Sometimes, all someone needs is encouragement, an opportunity, or a person willing to challenge the assumption that something cannot be done. I strive to be that person for others — to encourage them to take the leap, challenge the status quo, and recognize that they are capable of more than they may realize.
How do you think about the relationship between community involvement (whether through volunteer work, local organizations, or company-sponsored initiatives) and finding real purpose in your job?
I truly enjoy my job and the impact my team has on our company’s success. But working for an organization that is genuinely committed to making a positive difference in our communities gives my work an even deeper sense of purpose. It connects what we do every day at work to something bigger than ourselves.
Through community involvement, I have had the privilege of helping upgrade homes for veterans, building playhouses for underprivileged families, and supporting programs that invest in the next generation. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding because they allow me to see firsthand how even seemingly small acts of service can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. For me, community involvement is about more than giving back; it is about creating connections, opening doors, and helping others build a better future. Being able to contribute my time and energy to these initiatives has been both an incredible privilege and an honor.
Watkins provides the resources and time to join those incredible community programs. When a company shares that belief and actively creates opportunities for its employees to make a difference, work becomes more than a job — it becomes an opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful.
Having worked in manufacturing for over 20 years across several companies, what’s something about the culture at your current company that has genuinely surprised you or stood out from past experiences?
Watkins truly values work-life balance. Through hybrid work models, respect for personal time, and an understanding of the importance of family, the company recognizes that employees have lives and commitments beyond their jobs. There is also genuine support for female workers and career paths. Watkins provides the resources, locality (mothers’ rooms), and health support for women who embrace building families and advance in their employment. We encourage women to step up, apply for jobs in the male-dominated manufacturing world, and welcome new ideas and perspectives — especially in the Wellness Industry.
Watkins Wellness has shown me that a company can pursue strong business results while genuinely caring about the well-being, growth, and lives of its people. That balance is something I value deeply and one of the things that makes me proud to be part of the organization.
Watkins Wellness® helps people Feel Good. Live Well. Join a team where innovation meets wellness, leaders are accessible, and employees are empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. From hot tubs and Endless Pools® to Sauna360, they create products—and careers—that make a real impact.
Can you share a time when you had to advocate strongly for yourself to be considered for a role or opportunity? What did that experience teach you?
A great example was when a position opened in Mexico that I strongly believed was the right fit for me. Typically, positions in each country are filled by candidates within that country, but I felt my experience and expertise in Sourcing and Procurement could bring significant value to the business and help the company achieve its growth and performance targets.
Rather than assuming I would not be considered, I took the initiative to contact our People & Culture team in Mexico to learn more about the role and understand whether there were any barriers to my candidacy. The team was incredibly supportive, reflecting Watkins’ commitment to internal career development. I was invited to participate in the interview process, which was conducted largely in Spanish. After several rounds of interviews, I was offered the position.
Today, I lead the Watkins Sourcing and Procurement organization across both countries. It has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity, both professionally and personally.
This experience taught me that I am more courageous than I sometimes give myself credit for, and that growth often requires us to step outside our comfort zones and challenge the limits we place on ourselves. If I had assumed the position was not an option simply because it was based in another country, I would have missed an opportunity that has shaped my career.
My biggest takeaway is that you cannot wait for opportunities to come to you—you have to either create opportunities or be willing to raise your hand, make your case, and take the chance. I remain grateful that I did, and equally grateful to work for a company that gave me the opportunity to prove what was possible.
How does leadership at your company show appreciation for employee achievements, and why do you think that kind of recognition matters for retaining talent?
At Watkins Wellness, appreciation is woven into our culture in many ways. We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the milestones our employees achieve, both big and small. Birthdays, work anniversaries, retirements, and professional accomplishments are all recognized because we understand that every individual contributes to making our organization what it is.
One thing I particularly appreciate is how we celebrate different cultures, holidays, and traditions. Our offices and lunch areas reflect these celebrations throughout the year, creating an environment where people feel seen, respected, and included. We support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and work together as a team. Our award ceremonies and recognition events throughout the year further reinforce that employees’ contributions matter and deserve to be celebrated.
I have been honored not just once, but twice for my achievements in 2025 with an additional recognition from the MASCO board! I’m incredibly grateful for the awards and feel more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward and doing my best.
I believe this kind of recognition plays a significant role in retaining talent. People want to feel that their work makes a difference, that their contributions are valued, and that they belong to something bigger than themselves. When employees feel genuinely appreciated, it builds loyalty, strengthens relationships, and creates a sense of pride in the organization. Recognition is not just about rewarding performance; it is about showing people that they matter.
What makes Watkins special to me is that this appreciation goes beyond what employees do for the company. It also recognizes who they are as individuals. That creates a culture people want to be part of and continue contributing to year after year.
I hope to retire from Watkins Wellness one day — or, at the very least, from an organization that values its people as much as Watkins does. To me, that says more about a company’s culture than any award or business achievement ever could.
