MEET TONAYSIA FOUNDER, CEO & YOGA INSTRUCTOR.
“Stop finding the ways that you can’t do something and find all the ways that you can and just go for it.”
Hi Tonaysia, can you tell me what inspired you to start your own business?
One thing that inspired me to turn my passion project into an official business it would be the book Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso. However, I had never intended to start a business when I did, it happened organically for me. The products that I created were being crafted for myself only, since I am super conscious about what products I use on my skin. Eventually I started to share my products with friends and family and it grew to be a high demand product.
Can you tell us about your journey from the idea stage to launching your business?
The idea stage of my business was different than the traditional journey. I started by crafting customized products to fit each specific customers skin type. This gave me the opportunity to find what products worked best for each skin type and which products were continuously requested. As the business grew, with me being the only person on my team at the time, it made more sense to keep the highly requested products that were most effective in the inventory for the launch. Although there was a lot of trial and error, testing, wasted products and money, I still wouldn't change how it all occurred. It gave me a chance to really learn my customers and grow personal relationships.
Can you share a particularly memorable or rewarding moment you've experienced in your entrepreneurial journey?
The most memorable moments that I've experienced on my journey were moments where people mentioned my name in rooms that opened up new opportunities for me. I have been featured on TV shows like Dr. Oz, had my products placed in hands of high status people, and were amongst industry leaders in trade shows and events, all from word of mouth. I am grateful that I am able to reach so many people who genuinely enjoy my products enough to speak about them when I'm not in the room.
How do you balance your personal and professional life as a business owner?
Balancing my personal and professional life has always been a challenge for me. As a wellness brand, it's important to encourage my community to prioritize self, whether physically or mentally. So when it comes to running a business, you have to determine how to best manage your time to effectively enjoy both the successes of being a business owner and living a healthy, balanced life. I had to learn that it's important to take breaks to avoid burn out but stay motivated during your time away from your business.
How do you stay motivated and inspired when facing setbacks or challenges?
I stay motivated by following and staying connected to women who are in similar positions that I plan to be in in the future. Women like Rihanna with Fenty skin, Olamide Olowe with Topicals, and Ami Cole are inspirations to me.
What challenges did you face as a female entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?
Challenges that I face as a female entrepreneur have more to do with internal conflicts and dealing with imposter syndrome more than external limitations. I feel that we are in a day and age where there are plenty of resources geared toward supporting female entrepreneurs, it's just a matter of finding resources that not only align with your business but also with who you are as a person.
What advice would you give to other women who aspire to start their own businesses?
Advice that I would give to a women aspiring to start her own business would be to stay consistent, plan, plan, plan, and always to remember the end goal. Find something that you believe in, something that really builds the fire within you and share your passion with the world. A sustaining business is a result of the passion surrounding it.
The Socially for HER blog is all about empowering women and recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of women. So is there another female entrepreneur that you want to give a shoutout to?
I'd like to give flowers to my aunt Shiron who has a interior design business called Decor Mostly, my friend Eboni Dinkins who has her own massage therapy business called Holistic Remedies, a friend, Diamond Hawkins, who is a bad ass female entrepreneur and founder of Pothos Beauty. Lastly, of course Shai, founder of SÁS SZN and Socially for HER, who is also a badass female that inspires me to keep going.
What are your social media handles, and where can people find your business online to make purchases?
Instagram | @bdy.prty: To purchase natural, ethically sourced skin care products. www.bodyparty.co
Instagram | @bdy.landuage: Beginner friendly yoga content and classes. Instagram | @moo_lah: My personal page to get to know me!
