This week’s “Meet a Mom” interview is with Akilah Releford Gould, a serial entrepreneur and toddler mom.
On social media she portrays popular content that is both aspirational and helpful, including entertaining inspiration, elegant but simple recipes, effortless style and gorgeous decor. Followers enjoy a behind-the-scenes look of her various businesses, including Lucky Girl Rosé , and Wedding Chicks, as well as her family’s Bloom Ranch, for which she serves as creative director.
Akilah lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Roc Nation executive Andrew Gould and their two-year-old daughter Greta. Recently, we asked the tastemaker, who has been called “the Black Martha Stewart,” about making the every day special, her newest project and more.
You’re just 29, an entrepreneur with five successful businesses and a toddler. Any strategies or kinds of help that are helping you get it all done?
My daughter, Greta, is two now and honestly I feel like I’m just now getting my rhythm as a mom. We both have schedules and I can build my day around hers. As an entrepreneur, mom, and wife, no two days are exactly the same. Therefore, being disciplined about maintaining a morning routine (I’m up every day at 5) has helped me tremendously in setting a positive tone for both my professional and home life.
Who inspires you?
My mother continues to be my biggest inspiration. She is truly a career woman and a domestic goddess wrapped in one, which is always empowering for me to see. I have a lot of aunts on both sides of my family, and I truly learned how to cook, host, and entertain from a very young age. I host and entertain quite often and always find myself thinking, “Hmmm, is this something Mom or my aunts would do?”‘ An entrepreneur I’ve always admired is Sara Blakely. I love that she always prioritizes growing her businesses with a true sense of self and authenticity. She has a great company culture which I personally believe is a defining factor in the overall success of a brand.
Love Sara Blakely! Tell us about Wedding Chicks – how did your own wedding inspire it?
Honestly, my wedding was the first really big thing I ever shared online on a personal level. The response was overwhelmingly positive. I was genuinely so excited about every detail and the entire planning process. Sharing my wedding naturally evolved into sharing our home, our table, and the way we celebrate small, everyday moments. From there, my whole community grew and when the opportunity to acquire Wedding Chicks came about, it felt like the perfect fit.
What are your best tips for busy moms who want to make everyday a little special?
The secret is that the little things really are the whole thing. I’m a big believer that you don’t need a special occasion to set a pretty table. Those tiny touches teach my daughter that everyday life is worth celebrating. I also try to put my phone in another room during dinner. The other thing: don’t save the good stuff. Light the nice candle on a Tuesday. Use the pretty plates, because every day is worth celebrating. However, I’m also a working mom, and sometimes a family dinner looks like take out from our favorite restaurant, eating in an armchair, and watching whatever movie my toddler is obsessed with at the moment. For busy moms, I think the most important thing to focus on is: what would be a win today? Instead of striving for perfection the entire day, aim for doing just one thing exactly the way you want it.
Your skin is gorgeous; what is your basic skincare routine?
Thank you! My non-negotiable is Mary Louise Cosmetics Miracle Serum! I created this product with my dad almost 10 years ago for my skincare line, and it has always been a medicine cabinet staple. My skin looks brighter, more even, and just healthier since I started using it. I keep my routine pretty simple: a gentle cleanser, the Miracle Serum morning and night, a good moisturizer, and SPF every single day. Now that I’m a mom, simple and clean ingredients are best for my routine.
Finally, can you please share what’s in your bag this summer?
Like a lot of busy working moms, in inside of my purse is very chaotic (lol), and yes, I need everything single thing in it! 🙂
Card Holder
Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies (In case my toddler needs a snack)
Altoids
