Meet Leann Littleton | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leann Littleton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leann, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I have a 7 year old and she has always been a priority in my life. It took until she was 5 years old for me to finish college, balancing full time work at Starbucks, college, and her. But that’s okay. We had free time and flexible schedules that may not have been normal to others, but we made it work. Upon getting my degree I went into the nonprofit world and while I loved my job, I hated my schedule. I hated having to beg to get time off for Kai’s kindergarten graduation and so I knew that long term, this wasn’t okay with me. So I took matters into my own hands and started my own business, with my own rules. My daughter is with me after school each day, I close the store for 30 min a day so I can go pick her up. I was also able to have my grandma come to work with me some days to just hangout, and that’s what fills my cup. Now that my business is up and running and we are a month in, I do my best to keep work during work hours and then be present with my daughter at home.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I worked my way through college as a young mom, manager at Sonic, supervisor at Starbucks amongst other things. In 2021 I graduated with my BS of Criminology & Criminal Justice. I then got a job working at a nonprofit in Child Welfare. I loved the work and the job. I want to help people, I know that. However, I hated the schedule and missing out on my daughter’s life. I followed my gut and now I am a business owner. I have always been a leader, and I knew that I would only be happy if I was able to lead others, help others, and have that sense of fulfillment. Now in my business, I am the sole owner, I am the manager, the face of the company, everything; and I love that. I run a eco-friendly refill store named after my daughter Kai. If I was gonna be saving the planet, I might as well bring someone I love along. Kai means “Of the Sea”, so it wasn’t a jump for me to name it after her. I’ve learned that life is too short to not do something you love. I wouldn’t consider myself successful yet, but we have only been open for a month! But I come into work everyday so excited and happy to be present. My customers are the most down to earth kind people and every interaction lifts my spirit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend was here for a week, we would definitely get in a beach trip. Wednesday OB Farmer’s Market for the food and vendors for sure. Little Italy’s Saturday Farmer’s Market too. We would definitely do dinner in downtown, for a nicer night, we would do RustiCucina In San Diego or Born & Raised. For Mimosas I’d do Crushed in PB. I love museums, so we’d hit up Balboa Park too. And then a picnic at Kate Sessions Memorial Park.
I’d stop by Kai’s Refills in La Mesa because it’s adorable and shop small. HA
Oh and Liberty Station. Pigment is cute to shop at, love all the food in the public market and there are options for everyone. There’s the cutest tea shop and ceramic cafe- Hot Spot.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family: Sister Brittany, Aunt Cindy, and Cousin Kathryn, and Uncle Mark. They had no idea what my business idea was, but they believed in me and were willing to jump on board and support whenever I needed it. My uncle and his truck helped me in the the months leading up to getting my storefront and then my sister, aunt, & cousin were there to help me put the pieces together. And Kai of course, my 7 year old. She’s always been so excited and positive and uplifting, especially when I wanted to give up.

Website: Kaisrefillssandiego.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kaisrefills?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leann-littleton-75a230167

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaisrefills?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: https://s.yelp.com/4KJ4m37Gs3