Meet Jesi Scott
September 26, 2023
We recently connected with Jesi Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jesi , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Naturally, many of our life experiences shaped who we are and how we ended up in this spot. We are very much rooted in our community and we are trying to fill a void. This town is where we grew up and it was so important for us to give back to it. Our API/AAPI community doesn’t have a lot of representation in our town and we are honored to help provide a little bit of that and a safe space for all folks in our community.
Jesi has experience in International Education, is a Bend native and has a Japanese partner and child. She has lived in China and Japan. Natasha is first generation Korean and a Registered Dietitian, and has been in Bend since 1999 and cooking and food is a bit part of her life and staying connected to her roots.
Jesi launched the brand and business in October of last year and it is truly rooted in community. She sat with how she could contribute to the community while tapping into her experiences with culturally diverse environments and really truly what aligned with her. She never dreamed of opening a grocery store – but this is what our community needs and it draws on so many things that she thrives on and is passionate about.
Natasha joined in a bit after Jesi had launched – after months of rigorous work to see if we would be compatible – we have moved forward as a great team with a super strong foundation with a great balance in different and overlapping skill sets. Natasha has great food knowledge as a Registered Dietitian and it’s at her core being after being raised in a Korean household and eating/making Korean food.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
https://www.tomimartbend.com/
Our website has our bios and lots of other press releases and things you can fill in the gaps with! We are a family owned and operated business waiting to find our retail home to open our doors. After launching last October we have had an incredible following and backing from our community.
Within a couple of weeks after going public we had over 2,000 IG followers and now we are almost at 4,000. We have over 1,000 newsletter subscribers with an average opening right of 75%!! We did a crowdfunding campaign in May and part of it was an event which over 600 people attended and the rest was online and we raised $28,000!!
We move from a place of honoring ‘Our 4 C’s’ – Community, Culture, Celebration and Collaboration! At Tomi Mart, our mission goes beyond being just a grocery market. These guiding principles keep us focused on what truly drives us, ensuring that we provide more than just delicious food.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Find your true alignment – work with coaches – work with your guides – sit with yourself – ask the tough questions and truly find what is in alignment with yourself. The universe works in magical ways when things are in alignment and you find your ‘Ikigai’
2. Use your resources – SBDC and SCORE are both national programs that are extremely helpful and are free and can make a huge difference. They give expert advice and guidance, provide accountability and are incredible resources. We meet with our business advisor from SBDC weekly and our SCORE advisor monthly. They have been invaluable to our progress.
3. Lean on your community. Emotionally. Networking. Crowdfunding. Support. Word of mouth. Join your local Chamber. Get involved. Give back and be willing to receive. Community should be at the root of our lives – our successes and our downfalls.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Our biggest hurdle right now is finding a retail spot.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.tomimartbend.com/
Instagram: @tomimartbend
Facebook: Tomi Mart Bend