We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Japri Anderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Japri , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Finding those key vendors can often be make or break for a brand. Can you talk to us about how you found your key vendors?
The story of Litty Wellness Spa Lounge is a long lourney and its just the beginning of how were going to blossom! How it all came together to be able to produce our plant based oils started locally, right here in Jackson Michigan. My mission is to heal our world naturally and cut down the numbers of mental health barriers, but I knew I couldn’t do this alone. Facebook my friends, that’s how I found my distributors for my oils. From ashwaghanda tea and many new products coming soon all started with the blue app. I knew I had to connect with like minded people in the same field of interest, so I began sending friend request and joining natural living groups on Facebook. Little did I know I had already befriended many that were creating natural tea’s, well educated about plants and their benefits to only later discover oil’s too.
Just thinking about the first agreement between Whitney Gier and myself is still a fresh image in my head. Nervous I was, but yet so determined to make our business connection solid after viewing her natural made products. The fact Whitney was instantly educating me with no hidden agenda that right there started our LitTea business connection. Though I was very much indecisive at first not able to stick to just one tea to create for a variety of consumers and conditions for natural healing to the mind and body. Finally sticking with loose leaf ashwaghanda teabags not realizing the fact I’m using these herbs and floral for customers to digest when I could use my same distributor for my oils. The moment I realized I could heal with oils, massage, aromatherapy all while using the same product for my teas I instantly had regrets. Not that I was selling tea but that I didn’t incorporate massage therapy before hand with my business now known as Litty Wellness Spa and Lounge, DBA of L. T. T. Y. IDentity Llc!
Befriending Whitney years prior to our partnership through mutual parties not knowing that it would lead to years in business! Though this is not the reason I went to Whitney, her skills, free spirited, hard and knowledgeable work was why I choose to grow with Whitney. Now on the other hand why she decided to partner with me I quote “Because I know your hardworking and dedicated and that your product supports a great cause and I support that same cause!” This has been an amazing journey already I’ve learned so many lessons alone from Whitney and being an entrepreneur. I must say the big lesson I learned is know your proud and take time to educate yourself. Even take a quick college course or certification class like I did with Mayor Daniel Mahoney Entrepreneurship certification. Go to business meetings in the community, join Facebook groups that are relevant to your business and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone like Whitney or myself that’s willing to guide you on your journey!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who are not familiar with the face behind the Litty wave I would like to introduce myself, I’m Japri Anderson a Jackson Michgan native! Like many you’ll be in shocked how I tok, interest into the mental health and wellness business. It started with me being hit at the age of 15 years old by a truck which changed my life in major ways. My mental health being the main reason as well as some chronic pain issues, knowing that I needed something that suited me because prescribed medication was not for me. Pharmaceutical medications impaired my motor skills and that was something I knew I had to be balanced. Providing plant based oils and Ayurveda practices along with aromatherapy is the the answer!
Once I am a licensed massage therapist I would like to offer my mobile services to help promote wellness for the community. It has been proven that massage and aromatherapy can heal the mind and body naturally! I want this not only for my clients but the world. Our earth is the most beautiful gift and it keeps giving us all the necessities to live a balanced lifestyle without man made products. Like our beautiful Garden of Eden giving this gift to the world I would like to do the same for one’s like myself who battles mental health and chronic pain. Starting with my Jackson community and Non profits and hothead big leagues like boxers, football players and tennis stars like Serena Williams.
In all honesty I’m the most proud of the mentality I have now. Looking back on the nervous young lady I was then to the outspoken, self taught and networking woman I am now is beyond amazing and is what got me to this point. I’ve obtain so much knowledge now to match my childhood passion to help and heal the world. It’s a must I see this journey through not just because it has been so beneficial in my life’s journey but knowing that I am creating a lifetime foundation for generations to come. Our youth, present nor future will battle the mental barries without a real solution that doesn’t cause more harm to their mental and physical. This also means a safer environment around the world with numbers declining while positive energy increases. The gift that our world is giving should not be taking for granted and the wellness and peaceful atmosphere we crave can be granted. If we create a zeal vibration person to person in schools, at work and so forth it’ll become our new lifestyle naturally!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
So knowing your target audience is mandatory but partnering with someone is a big step. Luckily for me knowing that my target audience is to fight against mental health and chronic conditions. So starting with health clinics and NPO’s in my community lead me to my first partnership who’s mission resonates with mine. SOAR is a women’s foundation that help women who has been through trauma, human trafficking and more, which you could imagine the circumstances causes major mental and physical health barriers. As they provide ahelter, counseling, food, education and employment. SOAR shop has candles and my business supplies oils that’s promote wellness. With that being said, Aromatherapy candles is how this partnership has come about. The SOAR and I partnership will help tackle the same issue within our community.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
My most effective strategy is with a purchase of oil you can get a sample massage from two to five minutes, when purchasing our small or large bottle of Litty Wellness Spa and Lounge oil’s. People love the idea they get the teaser before the full hour massage. It help you push throught that mid day shutdown we all have from work or an event you’ve hosted. Many will benefit from our oil’s and services also by being a mobile licensed massage therapist means unlimited clientele, locations and heaping all over the world.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089976991797&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@littywellnessspalounge?_op=1&_r=1&_t=8d6eZPTAzTH
Image Credits
Japri Anderson