Lara Adekoya, daughter of a Japanese mother and Nigerian father, is the founder of Fleurs et Sel, a bakery specializing in cookies based in the historic West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles. She started her business in 2020 by delivering cookies out of her car during the pandemic. Today, her cookies are as famous as some of her customers—from Oprah to Russell Westbrook to Netflix. 

But what inspires me most about Lara is her passion and commitment to creating a real community while retaining full ownership over her business. So I flew down to Los Angeles to ask her how her cultural identity, resilience, and creativity are shaping the future, one cookie at a time. 

People of the Future is a longform conversation series with multicultural founders, exploring identity, resilience, and creativity. Created, hosted, and funded by me, Justin Barber, a designer born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.

Support Lara and Justin
Follow Lara and Fleurs et Sel: https://www.instagram.com/fleursetsel/
Follow Justin and Glenwood: https://www.instagram.com/glenwood.store
Buy Lara's issue of Glenwood magazine: https://www.glenwood.store/products/lara-adekoya

About Glenwood
Glenwood is the feelings company of Palo Alto, creating the promise of tomorrow in objects for today. Founded by me, Justin Barber, a designer born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.

In part two of this episode, Lara shares three cookies for Justin to try at her Los Angeles bakery, Fleurs et Sel. Lara talks family, origin stories, and ingredients while Justin gets to eat cookies (and offers the ultimate compliment based on their shared Japanese culture).

Support Lara and Justin
Follow Lara and Fleurs et Sel: https://www.instagram.com/fleursetsel/
Follow Justin and Glenwood: https://www.instagram.com/glenwood.store
Buy Lara's issue of Glenwood magazine: https://www.glenwood.store/products/lara-adekoya

Timestamps
00:00 – Opening quote: what is Lara's secret ingredient? 
00:27 – Taste Test Introduction
00:45 – Sea Salt Chocolate Chip 
01:55 – Nutella Framboise
02:37 – Au Matcha
03:06 – Lara describes the signature look of her cookies (Justin tries Chocolate Chip)
04:48 – Lara talks ingredients: fruit chocolate (Justin tries Nutella Framboise), matcha (Justin tries Au Matcha), and more
07:23 – How family members inspired many of Lara's cookie flavors
09:18 – Bonus cookie: Raspberry Rosewater Cassis Shortbread 

People of the Future is a longform conversation series with multicultural founders, exploring identity, resilience, and creativity. Created, hosted, and funded by me, Justin Barber, a designer born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.

Creative Staff
Created, hosted, and funded by Justin Barber
Lead Producer: Sheilby Macena
HMUA: Kristy Strate
Production Assistant/BTS: Ashley Seryn
Cinematographer: Kalea Calloway
Key Grip: Carl Stewart
Gaffer: Priscilla Marie Serrano

About Glenwood
Glenwood is the feelings company of Palo Alto, creating the promise of tomorrow in objects for today. Founded by me, Justin Barber, a designer born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.

Shop: https://glenwood.store
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenwood.store