In this episode of According to Blake, I interview Akilah Releford Gould, a long-time friend from Howard University. Akilah shares her journey from creating Mary Louise Cosmetics while at Howard, to managing her family's winery and founding Lucky Girl Rosé. She discusses the evolution of her personal brand through TikTok, her interracial relationship with her husband Andrew, and her experience as a new mother. The conversation also covers her family's passion project, Casa Loche, which is a black-owned vineyard estate in Ojai, and her approach to balancing work, motherhood, and personal life.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:22 College Days and Early Career
00:43 Birth of Mary Louise Cosmetics
02:26 Going Viral and Business Decisions
03:50 Personal Branding and TikTok Journey
05:19 Love Story and Marriage
09:26 Motherhood and Family Life
13:25 Dealing with Online Negativity
15:58 Casa Loche and Family Ventures
18:53 Lucky Girl Rosé Development
22:44 The Impact of Sugar on Hangovers
22:58 Market Research and Event Planning
24:34 Farm-to-Table Dining Experience
25:28 Creating Inclusive and Exclusive Events
26:51 Balancing Motherhood and Business
31:32 The Renovation Journey
34:17 Navigating Social Media and Privacy
37:42 Parenting and Future Plans
40:37 According to Akilah
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