Hidden Gems: Meet Tracy Shields -johnson of A Toast 2 Artistry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Shields -johnson

Hi Tracy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our BFFL story started about 19 years ago in the gym at Crossroads School where both of our girls attended. Who knew it would evolve from the gym every week to A Toast 2 Artistry Paint & Sip 💞🍷🎨 every week where we are the proud #OWNERS! Through ups and downs, breakups and makeups, pain and laughter, weddings and funerals, restaurants and vacations, no money and money, God saw us through. We spoke our dreams out loud not knowing what, when or where they would come from, but we ALWAYS hoped and believed we had a purpose that involved helping others and WALA, here we are! A Toast 2 Artistry is more than just Paint & Sip. It’s a place to come and be exposed to the love of God and friends. It’s a place to come to relax, be rejuvenated, find peace, be blessed, meet and/or make a friend, give and receive, laugh, dance, party, praise, let your hair down, take your wig off, 😁 eat, drink, date, love and have fun! We are so grateful to God for seeing fit to bless us so that we can bless others. We are living testimonies that if you are faithful, try to be a little nice and #TRUST Him, He will answer your prayers and open the doors that He has for you!

Love The Owners of #AT2A Inglewood and now Westchester
La Sandra & Tracy💞🍷🎨

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We went from hosting 5-6 events per week and then on March 8, 2020, due to Covid 19 and our business being deemed non essential, our ability to provide services came to a screeching halt. Prior to Covid 19 we provided services to the public, cooperations like Google and Yahoo, Department of Mental Health, Survivors of Domestic Violence, children with special needs and FREE art classes to our local Senior Citizens, all of which absolutely loved our services. Although we love to give back by offering reduced and free services, being able to host private events was how we were able to cover our expenses.

We give all glory to God that we survived the pandemic, but honestly it has still been a rough road back. Through our faith, diligence and commitment, we are sure that the bounce back will be bigger and better than ever.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Toast 2 Artistry?
A Toast 2 Artistry provides, what we call, non invasive art therapy through paint and sips, and art classes, both face to face and virtually, no art experience necessary. A place where people can release, relax and unwind while creating their own personal take home masterpiece.

Since we got our larger second location, we are also an event space host and party planning servicer.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid-19 taught us the true meaning of “pivot”. Being that we were completely shut down and determined not to allow our business to completely go under, during the pandemic, we began hosting virtual paint parties. At one point we had 100 people, from across the country attending our virtual paint and sip. It was amazing and still gives us goosebumps.

Pricing:

• Our average price is $40 per person
• Our event space rentals range from $100-$175 per hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atoast2artistry.com
• Instagram: @atoast2artistry_LA
• Facebook: Atoast2artistry

Image Credits
A Toast 2 Artistry Team