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

Hi Ariell, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Ah, the all elusive work-life balance. My awareness of work-life balance is at an all-time high. I feel attuned to my body’s needs and, finally, have the space to honor them. My kids are now 8 and 5 – which means I am comfortably out of the ‘baby years’ that brought sleepless nights, all-day diaper changing and pushing a stroller with one hand, coffee in the other in a near zombie-like state at 7am. Early childhood is by no means easy but having school-aged children affords a certain level of ease that I have welcomed into my life like a surprise edible arrangement. I take calls in my garden, schedule an early morning yoga class, or close my laptop to read books with my girls. When I honor what my body calls me too, I’m in my flow, and it’s much harder to knock me out of balance. I am working on taking Carla’s Fresh Market from an e-commerce experience to a brick-n-mortar one.

While entrepreneurship poses unique challenges, I love it. It’s my passion. It doesn’t feel like ‘work,’ not in the conventional sense.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Carla’s Fresh Market launched as an online shop offering elevated pantry staples and curated gift boxes featuring small-batch food makers producing high-quality goods. Aside from the e-comm experience, you can find the pop-pantry all over greater L.A. Check our website for dates and locations. Coming soon is the first retail location. This well-appointed and highly-curated store will carry a mix of
fresh produce, meat and dairy products primarily sourced from right here in California, delicious and healthy grab-n-go meals prepared by L.A.’s most exciting food makers, and a wine and beer section.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Morning spent hiking at Griffith Park followed by lunch at Kismet Rotisserie. If we’re up for it, shopping at Catwalk on Fairfax – best vintage in town! Back home for a disco nap and dinner before we close out of night with dancing at Bar Lis.

Day 2: Start the morning with a restorative walk around the Rose Bowl loop. Since we are staying on this side of the 5 freeway today, lunch at Caribbean Gourmet @ The Blossom Food Hall. A little shopping at Pasadena Antique Mall and Soft Humans in Highland Park. Quiet dinner at home with all the beautiful
produce I picked up from the Hollywood Farmers’ Market.

Day 3: Send my guest off on a solo day to enjoy El Matador beach in Malibu or to one of our favorite museums: CAAM, LACMA, and The Broad.

Day 4: Last day gotta do it bag. Spend the day at Soho Warehouse’s rooftop pool. It has really awesome views and an Aperol spritz that comes in Real Housewives of OC size. Saunter into Bavel for a sexy dinner and end the night at Room.

Day 5: Nap time for me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To all the farmers I encountered while managing farmers’ markets, spending time with you remains one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

Website: https://www.carlasfreshmarket.com/

Instagram: @carlasfreshmarket

Image Credits
Still product shots by: Kasper Tobias

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