Sharing who I am through an interview with a local magazine - "A Journey of Transformation: Interview with Jennifer Deiana, Director of Solar Alegria

Who are you?

I’m Jennifer Deiana, 42 years old. I initially have a master in business administration. I like to think of myself as a child of Planet Earth. I was born in France, grew up in Spain, and have spent my life traveling. I lived in Hong Kong for seven years and then in London. But the most important part of my journey was meeting and marrying an incredible Portuguese man, and that’s what brought me to where I am today.

What is your professional background?

I spent 20 years working in product management, and in my final years, I held a director position. I had a break in Hong Kong where I worked in Art as an agent and Art gallery manager.?

But more recently, I decided to shift gears and follow my true passion: I became a yoga and meditation instructor, a personal development coach, and a massage therapist.

Why Solar Alegria?

Over the years, I faced many ups and downs in my career. I’m a very passionate person, and I really struggled with stress and frustration when things didn’t go as expected, even when the numbers pointed in a certain direction. I saw my colleagues, friends, and family suffer from emotional struggles, and it pushed me to stop, reflect, and learn. I traveled, studied, and discovered new ways of living. It was this journey that inspired me to offer what I’ve learned to others.

My husband and I bought Solar Alegria almost five years ago, and over time, especially in the summers when we began offering holiday stays, I realized that we have something truly special here. We didn′t plan to get where we are... we just did it.

This year, we’re stepping into a new era, hosting incredible retreats and bringing exciting new ideas to life.

What is special about Solar Alegria? I think it’s the location and the people.

Solar Alegria is nestled in a beautiful forest, and the energy of nature here is something truly unique. Our guests often tell us that the moment they arrive, they forget their stress and problems and naturally begin to relax and start a personal transformation. It’s the healing power of nature, in action.

And the people – that’s another key element. Everyone who works at Solar Alegria, from management to staff, genuinely cares about making our guests feel at home. We go beyond just providing services; we strive to create a unique, personalized experience that will stay with each guest for a lifetime.

How would people describe you?

Oh dear! People who met me years ago might describe me differently than those who know me now. But overall, I think they would say I’m passionate – maybe sometimes a bit too much – and that I’m a bit of a chameleon. I can adapt quickly, learn on the spot, and take feedback in stride.

I believe those who’ve met me more recently would describe me as someone who doesn’t see challenges as roadblocks but rather as opportunities to grow and help others.

What is your biggest weakness?

I am terrible at public speaking – honestly, I’m just horrible at it! I just get super intimated and lose my words.

I’m also still learning how to make compromises. I guess my passion can sometimes get in the way.

What is your biggest challenge stepping officially into this role?

There’s just so much to learn across so many different areas. But I’m incredibly grateful for the help and support I have around me to overcome the areas where my skills are weaker, so I can get up to speed quickly. The transition from a stable job to this role, where every day is about learning how to make a business successful, is definitely a constant source of stress.

How do you manage stress?

It’s funny because a while ago, I didn’t manage it at all! But now, I have so much passion for what I do, and I’m not afraid of failure or setbacks. I take everything as a learning opportunity, and that helps me grow.

I also practice a lot of yoga, meditation, and journaling. I give myself the space to reflect instead of getting caught up in worry.

Of course, every day I wake up with a to-do list a mile long, but I believe in the vision we’re building at Solar Alegria, and that belief helps me stay grounded and reduce stress.

Do you self-doubt?

Oh, absolutely – every day! But I don’t think doubt is a bad thing as long as it’s constructive. Doubt can be a tool for learning and reflection, but if it paralyzes you, then it’s harmful. I try to use my doubts to keep pushing forward, to learn, and to grow.

Professionally, I rely a lot on numbers and market research to help minimize risks and boost my confidence. But I’ve also worked a lot on trusting my instincts, and I’m finding that they rarely let me down. I listen to my gut, while still keeping an eye on the facts.

What’s your vision for Solar Alegria?

Our vision is simple: to provide a space for relaxation, transformation, and creativity, through the power of nature. Solar Alegria is a place where guests can disconnect from the world, focus on themselves, and embark on their own personal journey.

We’ve had guests come with heavy emotional burdens, entrepreneurs who were stressed or doubtful. But here, time seems to stop. It’s a bubble of clarity where people can self-reflect and find answers.

We also host families and couples who want to create lasting memories, teams looking to bond or work together, and individuals seeking to unlock their creativity. It’s all about curating the right experience for each person – something that will create lasting memories and transformation, all while immersing in Portugal’s rich culture.

How do you see the next few years?

We started with holiday stays, and now we’re really focusing on retreats, mostly around wellbeing. But our recent partnerships with artists and travel agencies are opening up so many exciting new opportunities. This year, for example, we’ll be co-organizing an incredible photography holiday with an internationally renowned photographer (but I’m keeping that a secret for now!).

We also have plans for high-end art experiences in 2026 – both visual art and music. And we’re expanding our corporate retreats and events.

Our plans to expand the property and increase accommodation options will allow us to host even bigger groups. The sky is the limit, really! In three years, I see us as a leading destination for themed holidays and retreats in Portugal.

Is there any feedback or review you are the most proud of?

We got so many this year and last summer we so many 10 scoring in booking.com that I said my team I was worried about maintaining this standard. Currently we are at 9.6 over 3 years, and we have been improving this score a lot as we started at 8.8. But we learnt that every detail matter in how we treat every single guest.

In all cases, the review I am truly proud of is from a Portuguese mum that really moved me and came for a retreat (where I was teaching, and cooking and doing all the logistic and guests management … so much for 1 person. Now I have a chance to have talented team members)… and posted:

“Lovely experience in Sever do Vouga, Portugal - Solar Alegria. I never felt that Yoga was for me...those positions, the difficulty in abstracting myself from everything around me...anyway! However, Jenny, the teacher and owner of this space, is an incredible person, who makes us overflow with confidence, contagious joy and provides us with all the comfort necessary to dive into this practice. It was a great surprise. Able to take us on an intense journey, focused on us, we can count on Jenny's guidance. Being at Solar Alegria is like being at home. It is an extremely peaceful space, where we can abstract ourselves from the "outside world". I recommend this fantastic place, full of good sensations and wonderful vibes.

Did anyone inspired you in your life?

Albert Einstein... but most seriously, at Charlotte tilbury we had an extraordinary coach, Pippa Topp, who truly change my perspective on so many ways. And, most probably, I will not be where I am now without her.

She truly sees through people and is a magician when it comes to personal development.

How do you see the world?

I see the world as a bit chaotic, where people often feel disconnected and stress has become a heavy burden we all carry. It can feel overwhelming at times, but I believe we’re all in this together. At the core of it, I truly believe there is goodness in everyone. Focusing on doing good, on being a positive force in the world, is what really matters. Even in the smallest ways, we can make a difference – and that’s where we should focus our energy, every day.

Would you like to share something else?

Yes! I’d like to take a moment to thank our amazing staff, who go above and beyond every day, our partners who trust us, and everyone helping us bring this beautiful vision to life. And of course, a special thank you to our guests, who continue to make us better with every interaction.

And just a little more: a huge thank you to my husband, family, and friends, and all the retreat organizers we collaborate with. They’ve been pillars in our success, and I’m incredibly grateful to them.

Thank you for giving me the chance today to share more about Solar Alegria.

Mag: Bem estar em Portugal