Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Lynne.
Hi Jamie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – maybe you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m host of “Jamie All Over” Podcast, co-owner of Sugar Taco and The Plant Butchers, which are plant-based restaurants in Los Angeles, and a Board Member of Little Bear Animal Sanctuary.
How did you get involved in the restaurant business?
In 2019, I was scrolling Instagram and saw a post from Sugar Taco. A little voice inside of me said, “reach out to them.” So I sent a dm asking if they were looking for investors in their Melrose location and if not, to keep me in mind if they open another location. I received a response right away saying it was great timing because they were closing out the investment round for their Sherman Oaks location. This was my entry point and I continued to invest in our upcoming Long Beach locations of Sugar Taco and our new concept, a plant-based butcher shop/deli called The Plant Butchers.
It has been the most rewarding experience to be on a team of women investors and to share delicious vegan food with Los Angeles. I have no doubt we are building a global brand. One day our products will be in supermarkets around the world and we would love to have restaurants in every city that wants us.
One of the first initiatives I started after becoming involved with Sugar Taco was a food relief program during the pandemic. With Sugar Taco’s help, we fed the houseless community, group homes, and women and children survivors of domestic violence, which is a cause near and dear to my heart.
Can you share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Northern New Jersey and lived in NYC before moving to CA. I initially moved to San Luis Obispo, CA to write a book after I sold my personal training business that I started in college. However, I was young and naïve so I made a bad business deal on a handshake with another trainer. She stole my business and I was left with nothing the moment I arrived in CA.
Without the anticipated funds from the sale of my business, I needed to put the book dream on hold and get a job. So, I applied at a real estate office that was walking distance from my apartment. I didn’t imagine I would get the position since my background was in health & fitness but to my surprise, I was hired. There I learned property management and leasing, as we handled student rentals for CalPoly.
My Real Estate career eventually brought me to Downtown Los Angeles, working alongside a billionaire developer. This was another position I didn’t imagine I would be offered since I didn’t have experience in development. After sitting down with the developer for several hours, we devised a position for me and a plan for his business. I would become the face of the company and with my rental knowledge, we transitioned his plan from selling thousands of condo units, to holding and leasing them slightly below market.
The market had not yet recovered from the economic crash of 2008 and many other developers were going bankrupt trying to sell condos at the time. However, we successfully leased to 100% occupancy and were able to purchase additional buildings to renovate and lease. One of which included a high rise with a 1920’s bank on the ground level, with the original vault below. I oversaw the renovation, concept, and design to convert the space to an event hall and nightclub. I was lit up by the creativity involved in that process and a seed was planted for a future career in hospitality.
How did you transition from Real Estate to what you’re doing now?
It was amazing to be a part of the DTLA Renaissance and to still be able to see my mark on the LA skyline but Real Estate was never my passion. Despite all I’m grateful to have learned, working with developers and tenants was soul-sucking at times. I knew I needed a change but didn’t know what to do.
One day, when I was feeling particularly lost, I asked “The Universe” for help and then went for a walk. I would have typically worn headphones and listened to music or a podcast but on this day, I didn’t. I wanted to be open to whatever signs might come my way.
As I was walking, I heard loud music fast approaching from behind me. I assumed it was a jogger with a loud radio and I thought, “How rude!” Then I turned and saw a man in an electric wheelchair. I immediately regretted assuming this was a jogger when it was someone who could not even walk.
I saw he had a NY Knicks bumper sticker on his wheelchair, so I asked if he was from NY and we began a wonderful conversation. His name is Wayed and he has a non-profit, Ability on the Move, that helps disabled persons purchase equipment that insurance doesn’t cover.
Wayed invited me to an upcoming fundraiser and I accepted. David Meltzer was speaking at the event, and although I didn’t know who he was at the time, he later became my business mentor and changed my life. Proof that asking for help works!
That’s incredible! What have you learned from your business mentor?
I learned many things from David. He is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and the movie, “Jerry McGuire” was based on the sports agency where he was CEO. He also was involved in the world’s first smartphone for Samsung. He made $100,000,000 and lost it but after learning some hard lessons, he rebuilt it back again. Those lessons he now shares with anyone who wants to learn. He was a guest on my podcast and it’s one of my favorite episodes!
He and I both understand that loss can provide life’s biggest lessons. What seems like failure at the time is often putting you on the right path. It’s a wonderful feeling to go back in time and give your heartbreak new meaning as something you are now grateful for.
With his guidance, I put aside the notion of needing to find my purpose and focused on how I could help other people (and animals). I volunteered during the Malibu fires to help the LA animal shelters that were beyond capacity. I met other animal lovers and activists. I learned more about the dairy industry and went from vegetarian to vegan. I have since collaborated with PETA, Million Dollar Vegan, and Direct Action Everywhere on animal rights campaigns. I have my first live podcast on May 19th at the Vegan Women’s Summit in NYC. We are being welcomed by the Mayor, Eric Adams, at Gracie Mansion. I never imagined these opportunities would be possible.
How did you get involved in podcasting?
I mentioned to my best friend, Scheana Shay, (who you may know from Bravo TV’s, “Vanderpump Rules”) that David Meltzer would be a great guest for her podcast, “Scheananigans”. She asked me to cohost the episode and that is how my podcasting career began several years ago. I started cohosting with her more and more and learned so much. I’m extremely grateful that she believed in me.
In December 2021, I branched out with my own podcast, “Jamie All Over”. I didn’t expect my little show to reach more than maybe 30 people but episode 1 hit the top charts and after episode 2, I was offered a podcast deal. I was in shock but very grateful.
What is “Jamie All Over” about?
It covers pop culture, mental health, relationships, entrepreneurship, spirituality, and sometimes even the supernatural. I put an emphasis on providing a platform for women and diverse voices.
I hope listeners learn something new, feel seen, know they are not alone, and/or have a new perspective after each episode.
I’ve discussed my personal failures, lessons, trauma, dating life, navigating friendships, being a single mom, and my ups and downs. The episodes I’m most uncomfortable putting out because I feel too vulnerable, are the episodes I know people need to hear the most. Opening up about such personal things has also helped me grow and heal. So as much value as I hope to provide to others, they give it right back to me.
What do you love about podcasting?
It’s been so amazing to grow a community and create with the listeners. They are the heart and soul of the podcast and I consider it theirs as well. It’s been a team effort from the start.
Most recently, I discussed getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. I was blown away by the amount of women who reached out to let me know that they related to what I shared. Their whole lives they thought they were alone but for the first time they felt understood and were motivated to seek their own diagnosis. This has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of podcasting, just knowing others out there may have answers they’ve been missing their whole lives. And I’m right there on the journey with them; we make each other stronger.
What can you tell us about Little Bear Animal Sanctuary?
One of my biggest honors was when Little Bear Animal Sanctuary in Punta Gorda, FL asked me to be a Board Member. We have over 200 rescued animals including pigs, cows, goats, donkeys, and more. We are a non-profit and rely on donations so anything I can do to get the word out about this amazing sanctuary, I will. If anyone would like to visit, please reach out to them or me. Many of our animals are in need of monthly sponsors, so that’s a great way to help.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
My nine-year-old daughter Ivy. She is sweet, smart, funny, and kind. She loves animals and will even move a snail off the sidewalk so it doesn’t get stepped on! I raised her on my own as a single mother. My mother and brother are in CA now and I’m so grateful for their help but for the first half of Ivy’s life, it was just the two of us. My daughter has been my motivation to succeed in business and she taught me just how strong I am.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It was scary to give up a steady paycheck in my Real Estate career when I decided to go head first into entrepreneurship but I had faith that I would be rewarded for taking a risk and asking for more.
I stayed in a career I was unhappy in for too long. Sometimes as women, we believe need to prove our worth and fight for a seat at the table. I eventually learned this is bs. I got up and built my own table, one that I wasn’t expected to clean just because I was a female.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I’d say start with listening to my podcast, “Jamie All Over”, as I share my lessons, mistakes, growth, and advice from amazing guests who are leaders in their fields.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find someone who is where you want to be and ask for directions. If you don’t know where you want to be, try different ways to be of service and see where you can help the most. Usually that is the key to finding your purpose, talents, and passions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sugartaco.com
- Instagram: jamielynneallover
