Episode Overview

Join Kristen Parise as she sits down with Jackie Harding, the brilliant entrepreneur behind Ovry—the Canadian company that's revolutionizing pregnancy testing one tiny strip at a time. From peeing on ketone strips to building a business that challenges Big Pregnancy Test's ridiculous markups, Jackie shares her journey of turning personal frustration into a sustainable, accessible solution that's changing how we think about reproductive health products.

What You'll Learn

• Why that $25 pregnancy test at the pharmacy costs less than 50 cents to make (spoiler: you're being exploited)
• How Jackie discovered that dollar store pregnancy tests are just as accurate as the fancy ones—and why Health Canada approval means what it says
• The game-changing truth about strip format tests: 90% less plastic, multiple tests per box, and no electronic waste
• Why Jackie's blood clotting disorder led to years of anxiety-inducing pharmacy runs (and how that sparked a business idea)
• The surprising science behind male fertility testing and why the burden of infertility shouldn't fall only on women
• Jackie's ambitious vision to transform Ovry into a co-op model—because nobody should be getting rich off tampons (or pregnancy tests)

Episode Highlights From Tree Planting to Test Strips: Jackie's Unconventional Path

Jackie opens up about her "strange, non-traditional" journey from business school to tree planting, construction, and mill work before finding her calling in reproductive health. Her diverse background in project management turned out to be the perfect training ground for launching a medical device company.

The Blood Clotting Plot Twist That Started Everything

Living with factor five leiden meant Jackie couldn't take most hormonal birth control, leading to recurring pregnancy anxiety and those mortifying trips to buy overpriced tests while hoping not to run into her boyfriend's mom. Sound familiar? Jackie turned this universal experience into a business opportunity.

The Ketone Strip Lightbulb Moment

The brilliant "aha!" moment when Jackie realized pregnancy tests should work like ketone strips—small, simple, and accessible. She discovered that hospitals and doctors' offices were already using strip format tests, but nobody was marketing them directly to consumers who desperately needed better options.

Big Pregnancy Test's Dirty Secret

Jackie exposes the exploitation happening in pharmacy aisles everywhere: Clear Blue and First Response charge $25 for a single test that costs them less than 50 cents to manufacture. They're counting on vulnerable women assuming expensive equals accurate—but that's not how Health Canada approval works.

The Male Fertility Revolution

Learn about Ovry's at-home male fertility test that detects the SP10 protein in sperm to identify potential concentration issues. Jackie explains why this preliminary screening tool is crucial for couples who want to identify potential barriers early, without the stigma and barriers of clinical testing.

Motherhood Meets Entrepreneurship

The hilarious story of Jackie and her co-founder Christina both getting pregnant around the same time—including the moment Christina gave Jackie an Ovry pregnancy test to announce her pregnancy, not knowing Jackie was already secretly pregnant too. Plus, Jackie's honest take on how motherhood has made her "wildly more productive" in shorter time windows.

The Co-op Dream: Reimagining Reproductive Health

Jackie's long-term vision goes way beyond pregnancy tests. She's working toward transforming Ovry into a cooperative model where consumers become owners, ensuring basic reproductive health products are sold at transparent, fair prices rather than exploitative markups.

Episode Chapters

00:00-05:30: Introduction and Ovry's Mission – Canadian-made reproductive health products that don't exploit women

05:31-12:45: Jackie's Origin Story – From factor five leiden to frustrated pharmacy runs to business breakthrough

12:46-18:20: The Strip Test Revolution – Why smaller, simpler, and multiple-per-box changes everything

18:21-25:15: Exposing Big Pregnancy Test – The shocking truth about markups and marketing manipulation

25:16-32:40: Male Fertility Matters Too – Breaking down the science and stigma around at-home male fertility testing

32:41-38:55: Building Sustainable Business – Manufacturing in Canada, reducing waste, and giving back

38:56-44:20: Motherhood and Entrepreneurship – Navigating babies, business growth, and retail distribution

44:21-49:30: The Co-op Vision – Reimagining how we think about essential health products

49:31-52:15: Simple Songs and Gratitude – Jackie's theme song choice and what keeps her grounded

Connect with Jackie and Ovry

Website: myovry.ca Instagram: @myovry TikTok: @myovry Email Jackie directly: [email protected]

Where to find Ovry products:

• Online at myovry.ca
• Shoppers Drug Mart (300+ locations and growing)
• Universities and sexual health clinics across Canada

Special Programs:

• Give a Strip Program: Send unused tests back for redistribution to those who need them
• Educational Discounts: Heavily discounted tests for nonprofits and educational institutions
• Free Program: Up to 200 free tests monthly for qualifying nonprofits

Connect with The Hole Shebang

Website: blueberrytherapy.ca Instagram: @blueberrytherapypelvichealth

Upcoming Event: The Pleasure Principle Conference - May 8th, 2026

Jackie's Theme Song for Her Life and Career

"Simple Song" by The Shins – A song about gratitude, appreciating everyday things, and finding sanctuary in home and loved ones. Just like Ovry's mission to simplify the complex experience of having ovaries, Jackie's chosen song reflects her commitment to making reproductive health more accessible, less wasteful, and fundamentally simpler.

This episode will make you question every overpriced pregnancy test you've ever bought and inspire you to support businesses that actually give a damn about women's experiences. Plus, you'll never look at ketone strips the same way again.