We’re looking forward to introducing you to Toya J. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Toya, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day consist of waking up at 5:45, reading my daily devotional, doing a brain dump of tasks for the day, getting my son up for school, making his breakfast and lunch, and then checking my calendar and emails.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! I’m Toya J a Miami-based lifestyle, beauty, and travel content creator, former nurse, caregiver, and stay-at-home wife and mom. After years in healthcare, I realized my passion for helping others could also live through creativity and storytelling. That’s what inspired me to build a brand that encourages women to create lives they’re proud of that is rooted in self-care, purpose, and soft luxury.
What makes my brand unique is that everything I share comes from real life. From graduating nursing school and caring for my family, to balancing motherhood, buying my first home, and rebuilding after major life changes. my journey is authentic, and I think people connect to that transparency and growth.
Right now, I’m focused on producing relatable, high-quality content that blends lifestyle, beauty, and travel, while expanding into home projects, brand partnerships, and faith-based conversations around healing and becoming your best self.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Honestly, the part of me that has served its purpose and needs to be released is the version of myself that felt I had to constantly prove my worth. For so long, I operated in survival mode overworking, overgiving, and trying to make everyone proud. That part of me built my discipline and strength, but it also kept me tired and disconnected from peace.
Now, I’m learning to release that version of me and embrace a softer, more intentional season one where I allow myself to rest, receive, and trust that I’m deserving even when I’m not doing it all.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think that moment came when I realized my pain had a purpose. For a long time, I tried to hide what I was going through the losses, disappointments, and the seasons that broke me. But eventually, I understood that silence wasn’t strength. Sharing my story, even the hard parts, started to heal me and helped others see themselves in my journey.
Turning my pain into power happened when I stopped viewing my past as something to be ashamed of and started seeing it as the foundation for my purpose. Every struggle built my faith, my resilience, and my ability to connect with people who are still finding their light. That’s when I truly started walking in who I am.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that sugar-coating things was a form of kindness that holding back the truth would protect people’s feelings or keep the peace. But I’ve learned that silence can actually do more harm than honesty ever could. When you truly care about someone, you tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Now I understand that growth requires truth. Being honest with others and with myself has strengthened my relationships and helped me attract people who value accountability and authenticity. Sometimes love sounds like correction, not comfort.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived with purpose and I poured love, light, and faith into everything I did. I want them to remember that I didn’t just chase success, but I inspired others to believe that they could rebuild, heal, and still bloom no matter what they’ve been through.
I hope my story reminds people that you can be soft and strong at the same time that you can go through storms and still choose grace, still choose gratitude. More than anything, I want to be remembered as someone who made others feel seen, encouraged, and capable of living the life God promised them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://link.me/toyaj_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toyaj_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santana.johnson.9/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=6eYr71U6BEa7L-E4jchAqQ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToyaJ
