Meet Aja Dawson | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aja Dawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aja, how do you think about risk?
Risk analysis has always been an interesting process for me. Over the past few years, I have been trying to reverse engineer my process for decision-making and how I make decisions on next steps. I have been operating my business, (abeautifulife) Jamaican, for 12 years and I have found that “gut feeling” and intuition are always going to guide you in the right direction. There is always going to be risk involved in anything that is worth pursuing. Grit, stamina, and timing make risk become less of an obstacle and allow space for the belief in self to come to center stage. All things are possible to the tenacious and determined.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In 2013, we opened our flagship location, (abeautifullife) Jamaican Cafe, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Our mission was to bring authentic Jamaican cuisine to the downtown area. With our family recipes as our guiding light, we embark on a culinary journey with vibrant, bold, and exuberant flavors.

At our second location, (abeautifullife) Jamaican Kitchen, we continue to expand our vision. We source our ingredients from local farms, ensuring sustainability and pride. We’ve crafted a culinary haven that merges modern Jamaican cuisine with playful sophistication. Our space captures the energy of Downtown LA and the tranquility of a Caribbean breeze.

Mix our cocktails and let the sounds of our resident DJs spinning Hip Hop, Dancehall, and Reggae transport you to an island vacation. From the moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in the cozy ambiance of our family’s eclectic living room. Inviting textures and a welcoming crew create an atmosphere where you feel like part of our ever-growing family.

I take pride in creating a spaces for people to be authentically themselves. A beautiful life has always been my personal mantra and goal. Thru the lens of hospitality food and the way we connect with each other is the purest form of humanity and I love being apart of that. The journey of being a restaurateur is complicated and always uncertain. I lean into flexible in my approach and constantly being open to change. I’m rooted in the desire to create beautiful food and experiences for people. As long as that is maintained, I am comfortable riding the tide of this industry.

We have so many plans and upcoming opportunities as a company and we cannot wait to share what’s next.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I best friend was coming into town for the weekend I would definitely balance, fun, food & wellness. Definitely a morning hike at Kenneth Hahn Park, then have brunch at abeautifullife Jamaican Kitchen followed by late night dinner at Somerville. The next day rehydrate with IV’s from 444IV and a nice day at the beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Barbara, my mother, has been my guiding light and constant companion throughout my journey. Her unwavering support and positive outlook on life are a testament to her remarkable strength and a blessing to both me and the world.

Website: https://www.abeautifullifejamaican.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abeautifullifejamaican?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr