Meet LaKenya Kopf

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

Hi LaKenya, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
This year, work/life balance has been front of mind. For years, I have been an advocate for finding a balance between working hard and making time to enjoy the world you are creating because of that hard work. Unfortunately, I have not been one to practice what I preach. I will give myself credit for taking a huge step back and reducing what was 60-70 hours a week down to 30-40 hours, less if I can finagle it. But where I have failed to find balance is that, in those moments of rest, I am not doing anything for myself. I am home. I am relaxing. I am away from my computer; but I’m not living my life. I am not exploring a hobby, having an adventure, or enjoying the freedom that entrepreneurs have shed blood, sweat, and tears to earn.

So this year, I have shifted my focus to finding balance within my life – creating moments, creating memories, making connections, and enjoying “me” time. Not family time. Not downtime while my dog stares at me. “Me” time to grow and learn more about who I am as a person, what makes me happy, and what defines me beyond the titles of business owner, mother, and spouse.

You can find balance between work and life by simply putting a divide between when you work and when you don’t. But within that category of life, make sure you are finding a balance between resting and actually living. That is how I view balance now, and that is my primary focus going forward.

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?
I am always tickled by the question, “What sets you apart from others?” because my automatic answer is – nothing. Absolutely nothing sets me apart from others. There are thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of people who do what I do and probably do it better. The only realistic thing that truly sets me, or anyone else for that matter, apart from the person to our left and right is that I am me – my personality, my tolerance, my temperament, my sense of humor, my perspectives, my boundaries, my idiosyncrasies are mine. And while some people may share them, I am the only one who is me from head to toe. There is no one else who can be me, and while they may be able to imitate me, I have access to the blueprints to know what makes me tick, what motivates me, and what drives me. All of this is incorporated into owning my own business.

Truth be told, I never wanted to be an entrepreneur – I liked being on my hamster wheel or part of the rat race, whichever rodent analogy you want to use. The requirements of being a military spouse and the change in duty stations shifted what I wanted to what I had to do in order to provide for my family within a world of instability.

As far as getting to where I am today, it wasn’t easy, but anything worth having and appreciating shouldn’t be. It was hard work, long hours, dedication, a lot of inner reflection, and a substantial amount of growth. It was learning to say no and being okay with the outcome. It was overcoming the need to survive and do whatever it takes, and trusting that I would be okay if I walked away from an opportunity that did not fit me (especially if it challenged my mental well-being).

In the span of 18 years, I have learned that owning a business that doesn’t make you happy completely defeats the purpose of owning a business. It is yours! If you don’t enjoy working for yourself, you are doing something wrong. Not every client is right for you. Not every opportunity is ideal. Accepting that – and trusting that saying “no, thank you” is not the end of the world – is the best lesson I ever learned.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My best friends are homebodies, but we do enjoy being cheesy tourists. So if they were coming to San Diego for a week, I would build the trip around experiences more than specific spots.

There would absolutely be a beach day – long walks along the coastline, sunset views over the Pacific, and time to just sit and breathe near the water. We would wander through Balboa Park, pop into a museum if something caught our interest, and take our time instead of rushing through it. I would carve out an afternoon to explore a neighborhood with good energy – somewhere walkable, with coffee shops, local boutiques, and restaurants where we could linger.
Food-wise, we would lean into what San Diego is known for – fresh seafood, tacos, and anything we can enjoy outdoors. One evening would be dedicated to a sunset dinner near the water, and another to something lively where we can people-watch and soak in the atmosphere.

I’m a big believer in letting whoever is visiting take the driver’s seat, so I wouldn’t over-structure it. I would come prepared with ideas – maybe a harbor activity, maybe a classic attraction – but I like leaving room for spontaneity. For me, San Diego is about that balance of relaxed and vibrant. You can fill every minute, or you can simply enjoy the weather and the scenery, and either way, it feels like a good week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While the group has since dissolved, Pepperlane is where my need for community originated. It was a group of mompreneurs who understood the juggling act of being a parent and owning a business. I haven’t found anything like it since it came to an end, but it was what built that need to connect with others who understood my journey.

Over the years, I have joined a number of professional networking groups, and while none of them have come close to what Pepperlane offered, Excelerate HER has given me two people who are near and dear to my heart, who encourage me to keep going and show me so much love and support. I also have another good friend whom I met during a Women’s Business League info session who has been my rock for over five years. She is the person I vent to, bounce ideas off of, and who keeps me grounded. We may only meet once a month for breakfast to connect, but I absolutely cherish those moments.

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