We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Toni Gary a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

For the last 10+ years, I’ve been known as Toni the baker, and owner of Sweets by Toni. After running a successful business, I still did not feel fulfilled. So in 2022, I started to ask God what is my purpose? I began to pray and fast. I wrote down some of the desires I had on my heart, and the Holy Spirit lead me to a pastor by the name of Dr. Dharius Daniel’s. Dr. Daniel’s ministry is located in Georgia. So I would watch him online. I watched everything he had; podcast, YouTube and Instagram. One day Dr. Daniel’s offered a 5 day find your purpose challenge. The class was completely free. I figured, what could it hurt to take the class. On the 5th day of the challenge, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to start a podcast. I was so confused. I’m thinking first, why? And a podcast about what? I’m a baker! Side note…I’ve always been told I was a great speaker. But I shy away from the light. The Holy Spirit told me, I need you to love on women. I’m still so confused. I asked God, love on women how? He said, I need you to teach them how to love themselves like I do, using my word(the bible). So I said, ok. Well, what am I going to call it? He said…Girl Talk! So after months of research and staying in constant prayer, making sure I heard God correctly. In September 2022 Girl Talk Podcast by Toni Gary was born. I am live on YouTube. Already 2 seasons in, and celebrated a whole year. I will be getting back to baking very soon!

Toni, 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?

I never had a desire for public speaking, or ministry. But, I do love people. I love encouraging people, and I love seeing people win. I believe that’s why Sweets by Toni did so well. I wasn’t in it for the money. I saw a need in the dessert world, and I provided a solution. Although baking seems so simple. I loved on my customers. By providing excellent service, it showed how much I appreciated them. I do the same thing with my weekly podcast. I am a woman, and I love the women around me. It would break my heart when I would see another woman struggling in life, and I know she can do and have better. Girl Talk is not just walking women and people through the word of God, But it’s also healing for me too. When I gave God my complete yes. That also meant, living my life as a living sacrifice. My life is an open book. Where God has brought me from, He gets all the glory. I’m proud of myself for trusting God. Baking I know how to do. But I wasn’t always good at it. But I trusted God then too. In order to get good at something, you have to just start! When I first started Baking, I knew nothing. I started just baking cookies. Over time, with practice, I can now bake a cake in my sleep. Now that I have Girl Talk, I’m adding to my value. Expanding who I believe God has called me to be. I’m enjoying the process.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I set out to start Girl Talk, I had no idea what I was doing. So I started watching YouTube videos, asking around for help. Friends that were videographers, would give me some input. I completely cleared out a space in my kitchen. I set up a grass background, with my neon sign. All I had was my phone, a pen, a notepad and a ring light. I recorded the first episode, and just kept going. My mom showed my YouTube to a family friend and they heard me say, I needed some things. That night my mom brought me a $500 check, from our family friend. They became the first to invest financially into my pod, and they gave monthly. To God be the glory! This is why I encourage people to just start. Whatever it is, just start!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For any of my business’s, word of mouth has been the best source of new clients and subscribers. I have websites, social media, and YouTube. Nothing beats a recommendation!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://what-a-girl-needs.sellfy.store/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/girltalk562?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@girltalkpodcasttonigary?si=q5gM8ygnEHar7d2E