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

Jazzmin Yoshieko, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

As I sit here in one of my favorite coffee shops I’ve been coming to since I was 19, I reflect on the years of determination and focus that has led me to be a now college grad and entrepreneur. I have known since I was 18 that I wanted to serve communities with the tools for living a healthy and happy life. As I studied Exercise Science and Psychology in school, I worked many different jobs along the way that shaped my work ethic, discipline, and understanding of how businesses thrive. Before becoming an entrepreneur I worked more than 10 different jobs. It was through many humbling experiences, I sharpened my skill set and character.

During my final year of college after taking several years off from school to care for my father, while also raising my baby girl alone, I decided that it was time to start my journey as a business owner. At this point, I had taught meditation, yoga, and fitness for eight years and knew that this was my way of helping people improve their mental and physical health.

When I first started my business I had no idea how to properly market or grow, but I did know that with consistency and genuine intentions, I could confidently build my business. One thing about me is that I am a very patient person because I have had many unique experiences from childhood to now that have molded me into an empathetic and resilient individual. With consistency and patience, I continued to imagine, plan, and execute my plans one day at a time. I physically write down everything I plan to work on and all goals I have, so I have a tangible list to check off as I progress. I also keep an ongoing note in my phone for any ideas or notes I need to jot down throughout the days that I can refer to because there is always going to be room for growth.

Along my journey, I found that social media was the most relevant form of marketing for the community I was focused on, so I utilized it to the fullest and taught myself how to create digital content and marketing content to promote my business. Since 2018, I have been consistently promoting and marketing my business strictly through social media. I took time every single day to treat my business as if it was a globally recognized company. I put work in every single day in some way, shape, or form to contribute to the growth of my business.

I remained authentic in my representation and continued to advocate for mental health through my wellness services. By placing an emphasis on mental health and improving individuals’ quality of life, I was able to connect to the community on a deeper level that organically brought them to my business. Because of my consistency and ability to network through social media platforms, I have gained the support of more than sixteen local and national businesses. In addition, I have been able to build relationships throughout the community and with these different businesses that led to my recent crowdfunding loan through Kiva, which raised 10,000 dollars in less than 30 days. This milestone really put into perspective the value of my time management, work ethic, patience, and ability to remain consistent even during my own personal life challenges as a single mother entrepreneur. I believe I’m here to tell my story to inspire and encourage others so not only prioritize their mental health but also their dreams and aspirations because we each have the ability to create the life we dream of with the right mindset and work ethic.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My mission is to cultivate peace in the lives and communities of those I serve. By being a community leader and advocating for mental health awareness, I aim to help people gain an understanding of both mental and physical health as well as how to improve their mindset to set them up for success. Through tools such as meditation, yoga, breathwork, fitness, and educational workshops, I provide the tools for peace and success to a very diverse community.

One particular event I have become recognized for is known as “Ganja Flow.” This event hosts pop-up sessions involving both meditation and yoga with plant-based medicine to promote wellness from a holistic perspective. This event is sponsored by local and nationally recognized companies such as WANA, TIMELESS, and CURALEAF. Ganja Flow’s mantra is “Focus on the Good.” We aim to shift the mindset of our communities collectively while being activists for plant-based medicine and mental health awareness.

Ganja Flow will be in San Diego popping up in Ocean Beach Thursday August 18th at 7:00pm. This event will be sponsored by local businesses and will offer a beginner-friendly sunset meditation and light yoga flow. We always encourage relaxing and remind people that the yoga is optional and they are invited to enjoy the music, guided breathwork, and sponsor samples.

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

During my journey to motherhood, graduation from college, and business ownership, I have personally dealt with severe chronic migraines as well as anxiety and depression. I have dealt with these things in addition to PTSD. I have experienced hardships and heartbreaks that have been very challenging to work through, however, I used my work and creativity as an outlet to keep my mind focused on the future. I come from a low-income, food stamps, and single-parent household, but I never let a circumstance hold me back from believing that I am worthy of a successful life. I can remember like yesterday when we didn’t have a house to call our own and had just a bicycle and carriage my pops pulled me around in. From being a baby girl with her mother in prison and just my father figure to raise me to becoming a young woman and single mother, I have intentionally channeled my emotional burdens into the same wellness tools that I now offer through my business, which includes meditation, yoga, breathwork, and exercise. Because these tools have served as medicine and mental conditioning, they have enabled me to persevere and pursue my dreams even in the midst of my own healing journey.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The funding for my business started with my own hard-earned money that I gained from working as an in-home health caregiver for six years. While finishing college and becoming a mother, I worked full-time as a caregiver for a variety of different patients. During this time I would utilize my own funds to pay for my LLC, website, and payment platforms I used to represent my business professionally. Over time as my classes and clientele grew, I was able to utilize those funds to continue re-investing into my business and allowing it to grow slowly but surely over the last few years. I have had my ups and downs financially, but also sought out business mentors and invested in multiple online business funding classes to gain the knowledge I needed to progress. With this consistency came the support of local businesses who wanted to sponsor my efforts to further cultivate peace and join me in advocating for mental health awareness. Now I sit here just days after finalizing a 10,000 dollar crowdfunded loan in total gratitude for those around me who recognized my heart and the mission I’m on.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktree.com/yoshieko
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/yoshieko
• Other: www.ganjaflowco.com

Image Credits
Photographer: Eboni Key of Key Media