Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Javonne Sanders. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Javonne, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Honestly, if I could go back, I wish I would’ve started Toss It Up in my early twenties — but with the knowledge I have now. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spirit, but back then I was too afraid to step out and be free. I was focused on keeping a steady job and playing it safe, so I didn’t take the leap.

If I had started sooner, I probably would’ve had more time to grow the business, learn from mistakes, and be even further along today. But at the same time, I know the experiences I went through — working, meeting people, and just living life — all shaped me into the person who finally had the courage to go for it.

So while I sometimes wish I had started earlier, I also appreciate that the timing lined up the way it did. The important thing is that I finally took that step, and now I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in Los Angeles, in the Crenshaw district, and I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. The idea for Toss It Up really started years ago when I was a bus operator. I began making salads for my coworkers — simple, fresh meals that were quick, affordable, and way healthier than what was usually available on the go. The response was amazing, and that’s when I realized there was a real need for fresh, tasty, affordable options in communities like mine.

Toss It Up has grown since then into much more than just salads. We offer meal plans, catering, wraps, fruit cups, and even teas and much more to come. What really sets us apart is our mission: we’re not just selling food, we’re addressing food deserts and showing people that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or out of reach. A lot of our customers are busy women, especially in the Black and Brown communities of South LA, who want convenience but also care about their health. We fill that gap by bringing flavorful, mouthwatering meals directly to them — whether it’s at farmers markets, corporate events, or community workshops.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how Toss It Up has become more than just a business — it’s a movement. We’ve been able to partner with organizations like LA Care, schools, and community groups to teach workshops on healthy eating. I even see Toss It Up as a way to create jobs and opportunities for young people, especially in customer service and entrepreneurship. That’s really important to me because I know firsthand how much representation and opportunity matter.

At the end of the day, what I want people to know is that Toss It Up is about freedom — freedom to eat better, freedom to live healthier, and freedom to believe that your environment doesn’t have to limit you. We bring fresh food and fresh energy wherever we go, and that’s something I think truly sets us apart.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One big moment where we had to pivot was when we were preparing to go into a location. We had everything lined up — the permit was ready to go — but then a huge detour popped up that we didn’t see coming. It ended up being a tough lesson about mixing family with business and how important it is to separate those two relationships.

We had to make the hard decision to pull out of that agreement and figure out another path forward. At the time it felt like a setback, but looking back, it was really just part of the process. It taught me resilience, and it showed me that sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned, but you can always create another avenue and keep moving into the next chapter.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that really illustrates my resilience happened early on when I was invited to vend at an event. The host was expecting 500 people, So I came prepared with 100 salads. But when I got there, less than 50 people showed up — and I only sold 9 salads. I was panicking, because I had all this food on hand and no idea what to do with it.

Instead of giving up, I reached out to a store owner I knew and asked if I could set up a quick pop-up in front of his shop. Then I went live on social media and told the city of Los Angeles that I had fresh salads for sale. That moment ended up being a turning point — it was the first time I really put myself out there and introduced Toss It Up to the community. What started as a near-disaster turned into the beginning of people in LA knowing who I was and what my company was about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tossitupinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tossitupsalad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tossitupinc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toss-it-up/