We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaToyia Mays. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaToyia below.

LaToyia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

After a long struggle towards the latter years of my husband’s career, we decided that having the liver and kidney function of a 50+ year old man was unacceptable for a 30 year old. But the fact was that he spent years taking pain medications and injections that caused tremendous harm to his body. I started studying and researching alternative ways to deal with his issues, not being from a family that practices natural medicine, and fell deep down the “rabbit hole.” There was much information to grasp, so I enrolled in herbalism school for a 3 year program. Through those years of researching, I found that there were many people of color that had no idea of how to change their health for the better. So I turned a lifestyle change into a business… opening the doors to a sanctuary and safe place for our people to have access to not only services, but to education. I would advise any young entrepreneur to start a business that they are most passionate about. It might sound cliche, but you have to live what you’re doing and have purpose in order to find the will to do it every day.

LaToyia , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Everyday I work to support our communities in obtaining sustainable wellness through lifestyle changes. The work that we do through our wellness brands serve as a lifeline to the healing practices of our ancestors, and a bridge from mainstream healthcare in an effort to hold space for equitable alternative care. Through quality experiences, we reconnect you to nature & indigenous healing while simplifying the health conscious lifestyle and infusing global health practices into spa, nutrient, and retail therapy. The Laya Center is a Wellness Wonderland that connects you to nature & simplifies the health conscious lifestyle by infusing healing herbs and global health practices into spa, nutrient, and retail therapy.

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

Since the onset of Covid-19, we have developed a solid product line and expanded our efforts to help clientele reach their wellness goals by starting the first Tea Bar of its kind. Our tea bar focuses on fusing functional herb blends with quality tea that elevates the experience by adding nutritionally dense fruit and vegetable blends to each cup. We’ve created signature toppings, etc to set ourselves apart as a Functional/Medicinal Tea Bar. We have also completed an extensive supplement line of products, bottled drinks, packaged teas, and will add skincare this summer.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

Many people have told the story about “boot-strapping” to get their business started. Our story is no different, except we made a substantial investment in the health of our community and future communities in order to bring a fully comprehensive wellness center within the grasp of people who may have never had the chance to receive healing on this level. We made a vow to stick with it, bring it only the best equipment, and make the major investment for generational health.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thelayacenter.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelayacenter
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheLayaCenterMO
• Linkedin: Www.linkedin.com/TheLayaCenter
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/thelayacenter