Handmade, Homemade, Selfmade WITH JOY “JJ” ORTIZ

Joy Ortiz, AKA “JJ” is a 46 year old, Puerto Rican, Lesbian who is the owner and creator of JJS OWN which is an all natural, no preservative salad dressing and marinade company. Her story reads like the American Dream, rising from the waters of Superstorm Sandy which almost wiped her start up business out before her products hit the shelves, JJ’s perseverance and her inability to take no for an answer has taken that start up and grown it to a successful business with her products in Whole Foods, Bed Bath and Beyond, as well as, ShopRite. Adding to her business she opened JJS OWN SALAD BAR last year in her Hometown of Little Ferry, NJ and it has quickly caught on as a great spot to get healthy, fresh, made to order salads and wraps. She also sits in the Board of Health for her town, is involved in multiple committees and has a direct line to Mayor at all times.

Feeling as though her life was getting on the right track and her business was doing well, JJ decided she wanted to be the healthiest version of herself she could and underwent Gastric Sleeve surgery November of 2017 and to date has lost 150 lbs. Not only has JJ improved her own health and overall well-being, she has become an inspiration to so many through her social media.

JJ is always surrounded by friends and family. Everyone wants a piece of her charisma and swag. Not to mention she’s not bad to look at! Her smile is infectious, her positivity is empowering and even on her worst day you can’t help but want to be around her.