Today we’d like to introduce you to Tosin L-A.
Hi Tosin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Oluwatosin Laja-Akintayo but everyone calls me Tosin L-A, and if there’s one thing that has remained constant throughout my life, it’s my desire to serve people. Whether through nursing, ministry, or now through IJAG Collective, I’ve always been drawn to creating spaces where people feel seen, cared for, and encouraged.
Professionally, I’m a registered nurse with nearly two decades of experience in emergency medicine and I’m currently pursuing my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Outside of healthcare, I’m a worship pastor, wife, and mother. My husband and I also run a marriage ministry called Insync Marriage and together we host a podcast – Insync Marriage Podcast. At first glance, these roles may seem unrelated, but they all stem from the same purpose: helping people heal, grow, and find community.
That purpose eventually led me to create IJAG Collective.
IJAG stands for I’m Just A Girl, but it’s about so much more than the name. It was born from a simple realization that many women, myself included, long for genuine friendship and intentional community. Between careers, marriage, children, ministry, and life’s daily demands, building meaningful relationships as an adult can be surprisingly difficult.
I wanted to create the kind of community I wished existed; a place where women could show up, whether they came alone or with friends, and leave feeling inspired, connected, and celebrated.
Today, IJAG is built on three core values: Faith. Friendships. Femininity. Every experience we curate reflects those values and reminds women that community isn’t something we stumble upon, it is something we intentionally create.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges has simply been learning to balance all the different parts of my life.
I work in emergency medicine, I’m pursuing graduate school, I serve in ministry alongside my husband, and I lead IJAG. Most people see the finished event, but they don’t always see the late nights designing flyers, answering emails after work, planning logistics, or praying over every detail before an event ever happens.
Another challenge has been resisting the pressure to grow quickly.
In today’s world, it’s easy to believe success is measured by how many followers you have or how many tickets you sell. I’ve had to remind myself that IJAG was never created to chase numbers. It was created to build people.
Some of my proudest moments aren’t the sold-out events, they’re the conversations afterward when someone tells me, “I almost didn’t come because I didn’t know anyone, but I left with new friends.” Those moments remind me why I started.
Building something meaningful requires patience, consistency, and trusting that purpose will always outlast trends.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
IJAG Collective is an intentional community for women centered around Faith, Friendships, and Femininity.
While people often describe us as an events company, I see us as a community that uses experiences to bring women together. Every event is thoughtfully designed to create opportunities for authentic connection.
We’ve hosted everything from Closet swap/sale, Pilates experiences and book clubs to planning more social gatherings and themed soirées, and each one is curated with intention; from the atmosphere and décor to the conversations, activities, and even the smallest details.
One thing that’s important to me is creating experiences that feel elevated yet welcoming. I believe beauty and excellence communicate care. Whether it’s a luxury-inspired dinner, a wellness event, or our Summer Reading Experience, I want every woman to feel like she belongs from the moment she walks in.
My hope is that IJAG becomes more than a calendar of events. I want it to be a trusted community where women grow in confidence, build lifelong friendships, support one another, and experience the joy of simply doing life together.
What does success mean to you?
Success has changed for me over the years.
Earlier in life, I probably would have measured it by titles, accomplishments, or milestones. Those things still matter, but today I define success much differently.
Success is living in alignment with God’s purpose for my life.
It’s hearing that someone found genuine friendship because they attended an IJAG event. It’s watching women who arrived alone leave feeling like they found their community. It’s knowing I created a space where someone felt encouraged, inspired, or simply remembered what it feels like to pour into themselves.
Of course, I want IJAG to continue growing, partnering with incredible women-owned businesses, and reaching more communities. But if we ever lose the heart behind what we do, then we’ve missed the point.
For me, success isn’t just about building a brand; it’s about leaving people better than I found them.
I hope that’s what people remember long after they’ve attended an IJAG event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ijagcollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ijagcollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fh2M2i2c8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
