Meet Anthony Toles Jr. | Visionary, Founder, Dreamer, Goal getter, Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Toles Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was always an entrepreneur at heart I had a very enterprising spirit from early on but it took a back seat to the conventional way I first pursued an I.T. career having worked in the field for over a decade. I went to school for information systems and then information security. I worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and Northrop Grumman and others during my I.T. career. I experienced all the highs and lows of the corporate grind. I did contracting work as well, but I felt and different calling on my life and chose to go in a different direction. In search of change and renewed energy my family and I relocated from D.C. Maryland, Virginia, area to FL. Instead of starting over from scratch I began a business with my wife who experience her own slights within the corporate world as well she worked in social services for over a decade also. We started, Guided Life Care Planning Services a social support services based business, geared towards: case management, life care planning, litigation support, vocational services, and notary. We networked and put our all into it and it slowly grew. We met some dynamic people and connections along the way that allowed us to bring fresh perspective into the industry. Then we wanted to help others even more thus AJ84 Holdings (Parent company) was born and pivot to our testing center (Guided Life Education Center) and nonprofit (6 Harmony Foundation Inc 501c3) as covid hit and was changing the way business is done. We had to roll with the punches and adapt as the entire world was being shaken at its core.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are unique and have created our own lane. We are a minority, family owned and operated business. A resource center here to help all those in need and whom can use a little assistance in various capacities. This started off as just a thought at the kitchen table and grew to something bigger. This has been my dream birthed into fruition. We have serviced thousands of people to date via all our service offerings, whether it is the 300+ test takers that pass through our doors each month across almost discipline, or the 50+ attorneys we deal with on a regular basis with litigation support. Or may its with the 5 contractors we work with on our Social Security Administration SSA/Health and Human Services HRSA/ United Health Care UHC contracts. We offer I-9 Employment verifications as well. Or maybe its the joy that comes with our food/clothing/toy and seasonal blood drives that we were able to help the community in many was. There is truly not many resource centers like ours operating in the manner in which we do all under one roof. We flourish by helping others suceed, and this is truly a labor of love. We enjoy help others achieve their goals and as a result we grow too. It wasn’t an easy journey at all and still is a work in progress. We tapped into all our financial resources and are all in fully invested. We receive little financial assistance when covid hit. We put every dime into this business top to bottom one workstation at a time to now over 20+ machines. We started working out of our home, then moved to a store front 200 sq ft shared space, then we found our current location which we started with 800 sq ft, we were fortunate enough to double in size and expand to now over 1600 sq ft and have the ability to service more people. But it is hard getting the word out most people just don’t know we are here. Our equipment is a little outdated (in the process of updating some workstations) but we make the best of what we have and aim to exceed expectation with every engagement. We are apart of our community and we service our local, state, and federal populations with the services we offer. We have experienced many set backs but continue to push forward. Never give up is our message to the masses and anything is possible when you put your mind to it. You have to believe in yourself and be your own cheer leader. We are also changing the narrative as I am an only child and was raise in a single parent home, I am first generation graduate, my father has struggled with addictions, and yet I am still here fighting the good fight. I am a true American story of perseverance. Making lemonade with the lemons I was given. We moved to FL with no family, a few  connections and our faith that was all we needed to get our feet on solid ground. We took a chance and bet on ourselves and are now doing better than we were in corporate and are now a family of 6 with children ages 5 – 11 years old.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Breakfast at Scamble Egg in Fishhawk Lunch at Tikis on the water in Riverview on US 301
Dinner and night life at Armature works in Tampa.

Also would take in the sights downtown tampa at Curtis hixon Park and on the river walk

We also have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country just pick any direction within an hour they are all great and a great time for the entire family.

Theres also Busch Gardens and the other theme parks in Orlando that are a stones throw away.

Depending what they were into there is no shortage of good food, Freds, Flavas, Zekes all on 301 in riverview as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost it is my faith in God that allows me to create and move in the manner in which I do. When times are challenging I lean on my faith to push through any given situation. My wife of 13 years and college sweet heart, she is my partner in everything the love of my life, and my best friend. We have been knowing each other for almost 20 years. My mother whose spiritual strength, sacrifice, and good nature paved the way and gave me the “blue print” for success. I learned from her many things but mostly how she demonstrated and led by example, I have also been fortunate enough to cultivate a few impactful relationships through my fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, and church family at Fishhawk Fellowship church. Through our commitment to services and community engagements we have met a treasurer trove of good people through our community ties with our area chamber of commerce and networking organizations. There are also a host of supporters including our family and close friends who give their infinite words of wisdom, support, and presence.

Website: www.aj84holdings.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aj84holdings/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aj84-holdings

Twitter: https://twitter.com/glcp_services

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJ84Holdings/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvBktGIaNvKxjZYsnYufwA

Other: www.guidedlifecare.com – facebook, instagram, linkedin www.guidedlifeeducationcenter.com – facebook, instagram, linkedin www.6hf.org – facebook, instagram, linkedin

Image Credits
snappyplumphotos