Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Lucas.
Hi Judy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey to start my first business started years ago. The first time was when me and my cousin Lisa would make salads either at her home or mine. My cousin had salad day at her home and invited all of us to attend. Then I knew that I loved salads. I also introduced Salad Day at work at both of my past employments in which my desire grew even more. My last job, I worked for a mental health clubhouse where I meet my co-workers Sandra, Chanel Deanna, Freedom and Melonie. I introduced Salad Day to my coworkers and the children. I also learned from my fellow coworkers in Norcross with Naomi and Michelle. So I have to thank all of them for introducing me to salad items that I wouldn’t never had tried in my salads.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to even think about starting my own LLC was not that easy or that bad truthfully. I decided to resign from my State from a company that I worked faithfully for 24 years. I worked with mental health and always felt that this was my calling, I worked many years with little to no raise and I knew that if I stayed, I would be stuck and my future as an aging adult would suffer. So the hardest part was to say goodbye to clients and families that I reached for so many years. I was fortunate to have family and friends that encouraged me and helped me along my journey as an entrepreneur. My friend Angela Crowder provided me assistance with how and what I needed to start my LLC. I had Kai Oden, Owner of KJO enterprise that helped me with creating my Business Name and business cards. I had my nephew Demondre Smith to create my very 1st flyers. I have my niece Carissa Lucas to create my Logo for my Brand. I could not go without giving my family and friends all the praise for taking the time to help and encourage me. I also had so many great friends like Sandra Ridley, Freedom Johnson, my sisters and my nieces that encouraged me. If I did not have all this support, I truly believe that I would not have started this journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work throughout the years have been dedicated to working for Viewpoint Health. This is a state entity that services clients that suffer from mental illness substance abuse. I knew that my calling was to help others. I know the struggle of mental due to my personal experience with a loved one. I know that my passion and love for others is the reason I do what I do.
I can say that I am a Jack of many trades due to I will try anything that my heart desires. I can do cosmetology, cook and paint.
But I will say that my main hobby is giving encouragement to others that feel as though hope is lost. I am so compassionate about anything that I touch or encounter. I will say that what I am most proud of is my children. I know that my journey as a single parent living with below poverty raising a son and daughter put me at the ultimate test to want best for my children to make it in this Secular world.
What sets me apart from others, I would say is my love for people. My realness of my testimonies and struggles. I learned that having faith in God and spreading his good news is the key for success. and life struggles. What also sets me apart from others is my calming spirit and presence. I will say that people are drawn to me to share their stories and shortcoming.
I know that all of this comes from who I am and what people see in me.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my journey happened in 2020. This is the end of the year when I lost my oldest brother Richard to Covid. This showed me that life is lived day by day. It showed me to never take anyone for granted. I was filled with grief and anger to why my family. I had to dig deep out of my depression and ask God to comfort and give me peace. I learned that my life is my life and now is the time for me to live it. What I meant was that I can be complacent and stay with a job that I never would get rewarded for my loyalty and my services. I learned that being comfortable for this long was my downfall to achieve all my goals. I learned a valuable lesson that death and time wait on no one and if I wanted to fulfill my dreams, the time is now to do it. So yes death of a loved one was the most painful lesson I ever experienced.
Pricing:
- Salads start at $10-25
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jaylosoulful
- Facebook: Jaylo’s Soulful Salads, LLC
- Youtube: Talk to Judy Hope/Faith
