Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Lea.
Hi Jamie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a cannabis consumer since I was 17 years old. Being introduced to cannabis at a younger age helped my body in sports recovery tremendously. I have been playing volleyball since I was six or seven years old and once you hit Division 1 Collegiate sports, it becomes somewhat like a ‘full time job’. I experienced serious tendonitis in my knees, stress fractures, ankle reconstruction surgery and day to day wear and tear. CBD and cannabis has played a huge role in my speedy recovery process but also helped me to balance and manage school, work and day to day life stress and anxiety. It wasn’t until covid 19 came about that I got the extra push to dive further into my passions with CBD and cannabis. My anxiety, stress and insomnia was at an all-time high due to the life changes COVID brought along and the day to day social injustices 2020 presented.
While working corporate with Uber Technologies and groundbreaking the VR (Virtual Restaurant) restaurant industry, I quickly learned many takeaway skills such as branding, sales, team management, leadership and more. I was beyond excited to put those skills along with my college degrees to work on Toastyy!
Altogether, playing sports, living with two older sisters and my corporate job experiences really taught me how to go out and pursue the things in life that I want.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Both launching a new business and entering the cannabis space has been far from easy! While playing college volleyball, I first wanted to get my Masters in business, but being a student athlete, unfortunately there are many sacrifices I was forced to make due to my dedication to my sport, education being one. Instead, I received my M.Ed. Looking back, I wish I had acquired much more business experience… I wish there were high school or college entry courses that teaches younger students business basics, i.e., How to start an LLC, credit building, savings, investments, etc. Starting a new business has been such an amazing journey, lots of questions and I learn something new everyday. I have a great mentor and I am forever grateful for the lessons taught.
As for the cannabis industry, it has been a rocky path with many obstacles. The cannabis space is 6% black and brown people owned and managed. The numbers are disturbing. Less than a fifth of the people involved at an ownership or stake-holder level are people of color. Being a black woman, has made this pursuit more of a challenge, but it is a challenge I am up for. Our community was damaged due to the war on drugs and marijuana convictions. This is a chance to correct that and make great progress in our community!
Along with the imbalance and inequality of the industry, being in the cannabis industry has its base curves, i.e., securing licensing, bank accounts, social media accounts, etc.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Toastyy, a CBD wellness brand for women and men featuring beautifully packaged tinctures, supplements and body care products for sunrise to sunset. Products in the inaugural line include broad spectrum tinctures, full spectrum tinctures, AM & PM supplements for morning and night and a hand and body lotion topical.
Toastyy was established 2020 during the COVID 19 pandemic. As an athlete, I always recognized the power of cannabis to relieve the stress on my body and set out to form my own brand using high-quality CBD for relaxation and relief. Drawing on my professional experiences as a model, influencer and an Uber executive launching VR dining, I created Toastyy products that are made for women and men to help overcome anxiety, pain and sleep issues to become the best version of themselves.
I have always recognized how hemp’s healing properties have truly made a difference in my life, so I created Toastyy, a curated hemp experience to bring more awareness to the plant and address real women’s needs. Toastyy will help anyone power through their days using CBD as a wellness tool.
Toastyy products are US made from clean, plant-based ingredients, non gmo, vegan and cruelty-free!
– The meaning behind the name ‘Toastyy’ came from being in a comfortable state and vibe. Feeling my best self so that I can perform at my highest potential…. stress and anxiety-free. Toastyy was founded on the saying “When you feel good, you look good”. I had actually just relocated back to LA after being laid off, high on a sativa and heavy into my creative business plan when the name Toastyy came about. I was on facetime with a friend and they asked how I was feeling… my answer, “I feel kind of toastyy right now’…
Toastyy is a unique brand that offers innovative CBD solutions and merch. Toastyy is all about getting into your comfortable vibe. All products are handcrafted formulas. When creating products, I often think about my eczema, underactive thyroid, my mom’s knee pain, my grandma’s appetite and arthritis, and more. Toastyys products are truly for everyone and will have you feeling on cloud 9! For example, the hand and body lotion… There are SO SO many yummy good ingredients blended in there to help replenish, moisturize, and calm the skin. 10/10 for those with dry skin, eczema, and/or psoriasis! I have also noticed some scar healing perks as well… goes on smooth and leaves no greasy residue or clothing stains. Perfect for a massage or post shower lather.
What sets Toastyy apart from other brands is that it is dedicated to giving back. Toastyy pledges to give back to criminal justice reform and social injustice causes. My goal for Toastyy is to create a scholarship for young African American entrepreneurs and young student athletes as well. I would to give back to my community and provide AAU students with full scholarships to participate in the sports they are passionate about.
One thing that I am most proud of so far is that I can proudly say Toastyy was founded and constructed by women and/or creatives of color! I pride myself on working with other creatives of color and also connecting and partnering up with female entrepreneurs.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Love this question!
Toastyy loves all social support! It’s $Free.99 to like, share, comment, etc. Other ways to support Toastyy is to give us a try. Toastyy is currently sold online at gettingtoastyy.com. All orders over $100 offer free shipping and when you subscribe, you will also receive a %20 discount off. We love to hear your feedback, so be sure to leave a review and you also receive a discount code for doing so! #SupportBlackBusiness
As Toastyy grows, I want to continue to collaborate and partner with other creatives and business entrepreneurs. I would love to do pop up shops, collaborate by getting Toastyy in local storefronts here in LA. I see so many boss women with stores on Melrose, Inglewood, Venice, etc. I would love collaborate!! Allow your customers to shop stress-free 😉
I am also a huge advocate for community giveback and outreach. Let’s get together and give back where it matters.
Pricing:
- Hand & Body Lotion $50
- AM & PM Supplements $75 // Duo $155
- Tinctures ranging from $60-$90
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@gettingtoastyy.com
- Website: https://gettingtoastyy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtoastyy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GettingToastyy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gettingtoastyy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpCJVCh-jfUdFsIdnSCqgIA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gettingtoastyy
Image Credits
Head shots: Hannah Rad
