Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Armada.
Jay, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been a hard worker. I’ve had a job at a young age and always managed to make my own money. I also did all this as an illegal immigrant from the Philippines… I did everything I needed to do, I went to School, got a car, had a job. I did this for years and then the time came when my job just couldn’t keep me there anymore. I needed to get proper documentation to work. I had to leave, and I could not find a job anywhere— I took what I learned (I played with photoshop at work) and decided that I would create invitations that people can print out themselves. I’ve always been a creative person. I loved doing it… That’s when Angelique Creations was born. It was great. I loved creating invitations, flyers, business cards and more. I opened up a store in different e-commerce platforms and was very busy. I even had my own website at one point, but now I only have my Etsy store. I had so much freedom with my time, I ended up gaining lots of weight. I was already heavy, to begin with, but I gained weight from drinking and eating out. I did that for years and in September 2012—I decided that I needed to change my life and never looked back. I got tired of feeling sick and tired, I cried myself to sleep asking why couldn’t I be skinny? And that the very next day, I said enough crying and that it’s time I do something about it. I started to workout and people started to notice.
I did a 30-minute workout for 30 days straight and changed my eating habits… I did so well losing a little over 10lbs in one month. After that I couldn’t be stopped— I lost 88 lbs in eight months… It was the best feeling in the world. I felt so great that I wanted every woman to feel as amazing as I did inside so I decided to become a fitness instructor so I can help people. I taught my dance fitness class at different establishments for a couple of years, and I’ve always knew I would have my own fitness studio. We opened Beastin Beauties Fit Studio in 2015. It’s been a roller coaster, but I’m happy to provide a judge free zone environment for women to workout in. This place has been an amazing addition to the community.
We’ve had people walk through our doors whose lot over 150 lbs, are off medications and just become happier people. Aside from group fitness classes we also host different workshops and Pop-Ups (@selfmadetribe) to support female entrepreneurs by creating a space that showcases their business. Fast forward to May 2017, my son was born. It was rough running multiple businesses along with being a new mom, but I was really inspired to create something that my son can have (most of the profit go to his savings) while helping other Moms get through Motherhood a little easier by donating a portion of our sales to mom focused non-profits. I design and print cute shirts and accessories for the modern Mama. I called it Mom Gang.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road… Before my son, I had all the clients I can ever dream of at my fitness studio. It was amazing, and the studio survived on its own. All I had to do was show up and do my best. After having him, the small amount of time that I was away really put us at a loss and it affected us greatly. It dampened my confidence, and I lost my focus with everything, and I had to re-evaluate my WHY to keep going.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a fitness instructor & Mamapreneur. I teach a dance fitness class infused with HIIT and Body toning that we call JAMFIT.
I’m most proud of the lives we are changing daily by providing women a fun and effective workout while getting results. When you workout with us, you become family, and that sets us apart from others. You don’t only get an instructor— You gain a community of women doing the same thing you get to call family.
As a mamapreneur, I’m most proud of the mamas we brought together through the brand, but most of all is that we get to give back to mom focused non-profits.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I’ve always been a Hard worker, independent, creative, but most of all I loved helping others.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12010 Ramona Boulevard Suite 1, El Monte, CA
- Website: www.beastinbeauties.
studio - Phone: 6266279351
- Email: beastinbeautiesfitstudi
[email protected] - Instagram: @instajayay | @shopmomgang | @beastinbeauties | @selfmadetribe
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
beastinbeauties - Twitter: twitter.com/
angeliqueann - Other: www.mom-gang.com | www.
beastinbeauties.studio
Image Credit:
Photos: @photos_by_kim_n & @herrsmile
Hair & Makeup: @sami_baby
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
