From Then to Now: The Journey of Lady Yotas.

In the winter of 2022, Lady Yotas was born out of a simple dream: to create a safe space where women could connect through their love of Toyota vehicles. Back then, we were so excited to launch our Facebook group and finally have a place where we could talk, share, and learn from one another.

Fast-forward to today, and while our group has grown, the landscape has shifted. Facebook is phasing out group messaging in ways that directly impact us, we can no longer add chat to events, and it’s clear Facebook community group chats will be no longer. But we refuse to let Meta fracture the sisterhood we’ve built. Lady Yotas was created for Toyota women, by Toyota women, and that vision hasn’t changed one bit.

You won’t see dealerships in this group. You won’t see vendors flooding our posts. And you definitely won’t see the endless spam, politics, or noise that clutters so many other spaces. This is your platform, Queens, a place where you can ask questions about your Toyota without being belittled, “man-splained,” or judged. Whether it’s a mechanical struggle, a referral you need, or just a safe space to learn, this community was created to ensure the authenticity of women supporting women remains.

But Lady Yotas isn’t just about online conversation. We’re moving forward with new experiences that bring education and adventure together. Classes like our Ladies Off-Road courses, Ladies Basic Handgun Safety courses or our Fly Fishing workshops are designed to enhance what you can do with your Toyota. Think about it, your Toyota is more than just a vehicle. It’s a symbol of reliability and dependability. For me personally, when I faced new challenges in life and needed a vehicle, I chose a Toyota because I knew it would get me to the places my disability no longer allowed me to reach on my own. And it has. That same strength and reliability is at the heart of Lady Yotas.

And we aren’t stopping there. In November 2026, we’ll be setting sail for the Dominican Republic on the Lady Yotas Cruise, an unforgettable trip designed to strengthen the bonds of friendship we’ve built here and create new ones along the way. That’s the beauty of this sisterhood: it’s not just about cars or trucks, it’s about the connections that carry us forward. And this cruise is just the beginning, we have so much more on the horizon.

Now, as we transition to our new messaging platform Heartbeat, we’re stepping into a future where we can engage freely, without the limitations of Facebook. Right now, there’s no fee to join us there, but in order to sustain this incredible community and all that we offer, we’ll soon need to introduce a nominal $6.99/month fee. The reality is simple: Kymberlee and I cannot continue to shoulder this expense alone. Facebook no longer fully supports what we do. That’s why we’ve built something better, something that will last. Our Facebook feed will remain, but our chats will be migrating over to Heartbeat.

Heartbeat isn’t just a place to message, it’s like having our own private clubhouse where we can chat, post, share photos, jump into video rooms, and even host live events all in one spot.

Unlike Facebook, everything stays organized with easy-to-follow threads, community maps that make Google Maps look like child’s play, learning hubs for classes, and even tools to bring in trusted vendors, time to level up! Best of all, you decide exactly what you want to share, whether that’s your email, phone number, or nothing at all, so you stay in control while still being able to connect directly with women in your community.

We are going to rise above these changes. We’re not just surviving, we’re thriving, together. If you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you. If you’re new, welcome. What started with two best friends and their Toyotas has grown into a powerful sisterhood of women who believe in loyalty, reliability, and strength, not just in our trucks, but in each other and we believe that right now our sisterhood is needed more than ever.

The road ahead is wide open, and we’re driving it together. Let's gooo! 🛻💨🩷🖤

Nia

Link to heartbeat 👇🏾

https://app.heartbeat.chat/ladyyotas/invitation?code=JFC7B8