October 2, 2023 • 26 mins
Your pets are your extended family and you want the best for them when it comes to food, toys, and even fashion. Meet Leelee mother of 4, well 6 if you count her pets! She and her partner had an idea and ran with it to create a community space where furry pet lovers can not only come to get all their essential supplies, but they can also come socialize with other animal lovers! Their store Shipyard K9 provides a nearby option in the community for folks that can’t travel far including elders, and it’s also creating an opportunity for her kids to learn about responsibility, business and marketing. As a woman of color business owner she is one of very few in the industry and this representation matters! She’s been able to accomplish all of this while holding down a 9-5 job and raising her children – oh and did I mention, she lost about 100 pounds to get healthier for her family! Listen in to hear as we give LeeLee her flowers as shares some gems about how she and her family are uplifting the community while sharing their love for animals to create a thriving business!
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
This Mama Got Drama back for anotherepisode. I can't believe we're in season
two. I'm your hostess, LadyRay. Of course, we'd like to
bring on amazing moms that you know, juggle it all and then turn around
and say, you know what,I want some more. And today we
got Lele on with us. Sheof course has a regular nine to five
job. She also has four children. She also can I keep adding to
(00:24):
this list because this list continues.He is a entrepreneur, a business owner,
and not only is she bringing ussome knowledge when it comes to raising
your kids, but she's also gotsome knowledge for you people that got fur
babies and fur families because her store, uh, you know, accommodates all
of that. But let's make somenoise and welcome Lee lead to the podcast.
Hey, hey, thank you,right on, thank you. Shout
(00:49):
out to This Mama Got Drama.I'm excited to be here today. We're
excited to have you. This isour opportunity to give flowers to some amazing
moms that we see, you know, not only juggling, you know,
raising their their little ones into capableones, but also trying to knock down
these career goals and then still findtime for self care, because you can't
care for anybody else if you're nottaking care of yourself. I mean,
(01:10):
and that's probably somewhere where we canstart, because you've been on this weight
loss health journey and taking care ofyou and just you know, feeling amazing.
I mean, how has it been, you know, how far into
it are you now? So I'mtwo years in, okay, I was.
I lost a total of one hundredpounds at game, back eighteen of
those pounds. But you know,time happens and you just got to keep
(01:34):
going. But that's I mean,to go and lose one hundred pounds and
say I've only gained back eighteen isnothing like you. That's probably muscle first
off. Number two, we're allowedto have a little bit of water weight,
especially going into the cold season,we need to pack on a little
to stay warm. But I mean, that is an amazing journey right there.
(01:57):
I mean, what has been themost life changing part about it?
For you? So? I meaninitially I got the weight loss surgery,
I had got the gastric sleeve backin twenty twenty, right at the end
of the year, and you know, I was nervous. You know,
but it came to a point inmy life where I was like, Okay,
I got four kids. You know, I'm I'm I can't run with
them. I can't go to apark and play, and you know,
(02:20):
I'm out of breath, I havemy knees or hurt. And so I
had to make that decision in mylife to say, hey, it's time
to do something. And I wantedto feel good about myself, you know.
I was just like I was feelinglike how anyone would feel. You
know, you're overweight, you can'tdo much, you know, you're just
uncomfortable. So I had to makethat that change. And twenty twenty,
you know, it was hard topeople say, oh, you took the
easy way out. I get alot of them like that. It's nothing
(02:42):
easy about it, not at all. Right. It was like the two
weeks of a liquid diet only andyou know, I recorded my you know,
my daily moments from the beginning ofthe first day, and I was
crying. I mean, imagine beinghungry and the cooking for your family.
I'm for I am baking and youknow, ordering pizza. You know,
they're eating all its food and I'msmelling and I'm like I can't eat it,
(03:04):
you know, I would have togo to the room and you know,
ball up and cry like literally,yeah. Yeah, it's a huge
change. And for anybody who saysany of this is easy, whether it's
you know, you getting a surgeryor you going and you know, switching
your entire eating habits, I mean, none of it is easy. And
for anyone who hasn't struggled with weightor fluctuating in weight, I basically tell
(03:31):
them you need to keep your mouthshut because you have no idea what this
is like. And you know,at one point, I actually lost seventy
pounds and then I had both mybabies back to back, and it was
like my body just would not allowme to physically work out. And so
now I'm at that point where likelast year, I actually started working out
(03:53):
again and I had got down anotherthirty and then I injured myself. And
so this whole like time leading up, it's like you're trying to like recondition
your body, trying to let yourbody take its time, and it really
it takes time to do it whicheverway you decide to do it, and
it is a testament to the personyou are on the inside that's trying to
(04:14):
break through, you know, andand be on the outside. And so
I really want to give your flowersand just you know, remind you that
people don't know what it feels like. People don't know what that that that
journey is like. They no oneis in your shoes. And you have
to do what's right for your life. And I'm happy that you've been strong
enough to do it for yourself,for your kids and stick by your choice
too. Yeah. No, mostdefinitely, I mean again, And and
(04:39):
it's not like it was like adestination. This is for life, you
know. So I'm trying to encouragemy you know, my kids, you
know, because of course kids wantto eat all the snacks and all that.
And I mindful of that now,like with my shopping because I'm their
mother, or if I'm at thestore buying all these the sugar and then
I'm saying, I can't eat thisstuff. You know what role model am
I being? Right? Right?So it's it's a definitely changing experience for
(05:02):
all of us, and I'm workingon It's not it's not something that's so
easy. It's not you know,you wake up one day and you're there.
No, you gotta keep going,you know, Oh yeah, for
sure. And every day is likea battle because we get bombarded with so
many food options. Like if youreally were to stop and think about it
and actually tally it up, it'sin the hundreds, right, I mean,
(05:26):
it's all over the place. AndI think you're doing the right thing
by you know, instilling these behaviorsand these mindsets into your kids at a
young age where they are aware ofthe healthy choices and look at that as
a treat versus all this other junk, you know, as a treat.
So that's a that's a commendable thing. So, you know, kind of
(05:46):
pivoting to our kids. Is theresomething new that one of your kids or
all of your kids are doing rightnow? Yeah? So I have four.
So I have a fifteen year old, twelve year old, six and
three year old. The three olderones of girls, and my son is
my youngest. But my twelve yearold she decided to join volleyball, okay,
(06:08):
taking a liking to it. Soright now, you know, that's
what we're doing. We're going toher games, we're installing that, you
know, get her tough. Andshe's really loving it. And I'm really
really really proud of her because shewould not do things like that. She
wasn't into sports, and she's gettingout of her show and that makes me.
I'm like, yes, let's doit, you know, yeah,
let's go practice, come on,you know. So we're trying to,
you know, keep them involved insomething. But I was so proud that
(06:30):
that she made that choice because again, my kids wasn't not really into sports
like that. But yeah, he'sinto it. And I'm like, hey,
keep going, you know, okay, and look at you. You
can you could bounce around on thevolleyball volleyball field sport with her and be
right out there with her. Imean, that's an active sport. It's
not you know, I mean it'sdiving involved in the whole. Yeah.
(06:53):
I just went through games last weekendand she's out there and she's hitting the
ground and okay, and I'm like, I'm looking at like whoa, Like
I never seen her in that mode. So I'm like, okay, go
ahead, girl, you got this, you know. And I'm not.
I love sports, so I'm youknow, I love football and my kids,
you know, they like to watchit. So we're loud and streaming
the look at that, No I'mproud. Yeah, you gotta be,
(07:14):
you gotta be. I mean,it's it's really a trip when you see
them kind of like become themselves,right, Like they start to grow and
expand. Like my daughter, she'sthree, and she just mastered the monkey
bars over the weekend. So nowshe just she mom, let's go to
the monkey bars. I'm like,oh my god, Like we gotta give
you some gloves. Girl. Youhave all the type of calluses on your
(07:35):
hand, and it's active and it'sphysical, and you know, it's something
that they are having fun doing.But they're getting that that physical activity too,
and that's a part of it thatlike you know, she she she
joked when she finished, you know, got across and she goes because my
son's five and she's like, hecan't do the monkey bars, says he
(07:57):
don't need his vegetables. I'm strongerthan him because I eat my vest and
I'm like, you know what,I'm doing something good here, right,
you know. And it's it's goodbecause you see it in them and then
they kind of blossom and like yousaid, you're seeing this new side of
your daughter where she's just jumping intoaction and she's you know, going out
for the ball and like being lessshy and breaking through and that's the that's
(08:20):
the part of this. It's likeso rewarding, right, And you know
the other part of uh, youknow, being a parent is that you
have to you know, provide forthem and you also have to show them,
you know, hey, look,I'm I've I have decided this is
my goal and I've achieved it andI'm gonna be that example. And I
feel like you've been a great examplefor your kids in terms of like life
(08:43):
you know, life goals, butalso on the business side of things,
because you're a woman of color,you are an entrepreneur. You have a
family business where you guys have openedup. You want to talk a little
bit about your business and what thatwhole process look like opening. Yeah,
so you know, initially we openedour store. It was in the Hunness
Point area, the shipyard, sothat's where the name came from, the
(09:07):
shipyard K nine Supplies. We didthat because we end up getting a dog
and there was no no area,you know, nowhere in that area where
purchase you know, dog supplies,right, and there's so many people over
there they have dogs. So that'sthe idea. It was this idea and
then we end up having a store. Unfortunately, that store didn't work out
there. There was an incident thatoccurred and you know, almost my husband
(09:31):
almost lost his life actually right soafter that, we moved, you know,
we we got out of there andwe're now in the Mission District on
twenty fourth Street, and you know, it's doing great over there. It's
a lot of foot traffic and we'reputting you know, we the Mission District
I grew up in as well asyou know on this point, all these
areas where our family was from too. So just being able to get back
(09:54):
to our community and store for likethe elderly people there, they can't get
to you know, the nearest petyou know, pet cold is probably about
a mile away, so you know, staying local and having people come in
to purchase their goods for their petsbecause you know, your fur babies needed
to Yeah, I mean, youknow, trying to go all around town.
Some people don't have cars and can'tcarry the bags of food. So
(10:16):
you know, we're we're we're communitybased and we and we want to keep
it that way. I love that. I love that. I mean I
think that you know anyone who hasa fur baby, a fur relative nose.
They require so much. I meannot just food, not just water.
You gotta have toys, you gottahave a little place of of asleep.
(10:37):
And I you know, I don't. I don't have a pet.
I've always been like a adopted mom, Like they come, I'll dog watching
this, and then I'm like,m take take by back because I can't
get past the house breaking. I'mlike, you can't just be pinned everywhere.
So you know, you think aboutall these different things that you have
(10:58):
to you know, you have matsand pads and you know, training them
and snacks and this and that,and you guys do it in such a
way that's like, like you said, giving back to the community, giving
them access. But it's cute too, like some of the stuff. If
I had a dog, I'd beat Shipyard K nine. I'd be like,
oh no, we need all signme up for all the fixings.
They need everything. So I meanit's a it's dope that you're keeping it,
(11:22):
like I said, accessible, Andyou know, I wish that you
guys would almost add like a littledoggie, like uh, do you guys
do any like like what do youcall it like little classes for the for
the people to come in with theirdogs and do activities. We don't at
this time, but we're working onthat. And we're actually working on getting
(11:43):
a daycare for the pubs. Sothat's knew that's coming to the shipyard.
But you know, it's it's it'sjust like I said, it's being black
and brown and having this business becausethis business usually there's not too many black
and brown owners, you know,so I think a lot of people appreciate
that. And I see that,Look, we're serious and this was again
from my idea and we brought itto life and you knowing all the way
(12:05):
with it. Yeah, and it'sa family affair too, Like you said,
your husband's a part of it.I've seen your kids in videos and
really trying to help out and justgiving that opportunity to show them what entrepreneurship
looks like, what responsibility looks like, and that's pretty dope that you're instilling
that into your kids this early.And I'm what I was talking about as
(12:26):
far as like you know, havingthese spaces for the pets is I always
like my kids and our goal islike we don't go to the same park
all the time, so we goto all kinds of new parks and sometimes
we'll go to park. I'm like, look at that, like the difference
between that dog park and that dogpark. I'm like, y'all really care
about your pets at this part becausethey'll have some that I'll have like jumping
(12:48):
things and little tunnels for them tocrawl through. So I always see people
and I have a lot of friendswe have dogs, and they're like,
oh, we we have a youknow, we meet up at the dog
park and I'm like, okay,look at y'all try to have social time
at the dog parts. That wouldbe dope to have like a little social
event for you know, for ownersto come through and you know socialize.
(13:09):
Yeah, and that's something that weyou know, do as well, because
we have like sometimes we have champagneSaturday's Happy Nights and you know, the
socialized bring the dogs, take aplay and we have a yard in the
back. So it's you know,we try to make it fun too.
And I mean, again, likeyou said, for the for your pets,
you're gonna do whatever you want becausethey're your baby. I have two
pets as well, so it's likethose are my babies. You know,
so I have four kids, butI actually have six right doing for them,
(13:33):
you know. Yeah, So howdo you how do you like what
has been the most challenging in termsof opening a new business, you know,
raising your kids? Like you said, you have a lot of responsibilities
and you have a whole other job, right, So what has been like
the biggest challenge for you? Definitelytime? Yeah, you know. Time.
(13:54):
It's it's so you know, wedon't take we take it for granted,
honestly. And for me, Ifeel like, you know, it's
been so hard because I have tospread myself into like six different people.
You know, my kids want one, may want this, one wants this
one, you know, all thesethis the cat wants to you know,
my husband. I gotta spread myselfto give everybody a piece to me.
(14:16):
And I think that's the most challengingpart is just my time and and wishing
that I can just you know,be multiple places at once, as we
all wish we could, right,But that's I think that's been the most
challenging part for me. It's justtime, because it's sometimes it takes away
from the kids too, you know, if you know, we have events,
and you know, we'll bring afew of the kids, my older
(14:37):
kids they help out and my daughterworks at the store, so you know,
but it's just like that's that's allwe do, you know, and
it's hard for us to go tolike family parties or things sometimes because we
have a store. We have tobe there. We have to work.
Yeah, you know, you canmake it where it's like we could hire
a lot of people then then thatwill be you know, the thing with
(14:58):
right now, it's just it's greatand grind. We're working for work.
You know, we're going hard.Yeah. Yeah, and you have to
you have to have that passion andyou have to have that drive. I
mean, I think you know,you'll probably be a testament to this that
you know, it really boils downto scheduling every every moment right and sticking
(15:18):
to it. Like we don't reallyhave too much time to just be like
okay, well we could spend twohours at your birthday party, like no,
we have to. And and that'sthe part, you know, talking
to a lot of entrepreneurs on ourpodcast and and just talking to business people
is you know a lot of timesyour social life is non existent. It's
(15:39):
it's it's all about your business,right, yeah, and if you want
it to succeed, you got toput your all into it. And so
you know, we're we're still learningthat because we're new. You know,
we're going into three years and youknow, it's it's a test. It's
like, okay, you know,what do we again? I'm working still
a full time job, and thensay, you know, I gotta hit
to the store, do this,you know, and come home, cook
(16:02):
clean. You know. It's likeit's so much, you know, and
you gotta mentally prepare yourself for everything. And you know, I tell people,
don't no hard feelings. I can'tmake it this time, but you
know, and you feel bad.I feel bad a lot after I'm like
dam I mean, all right,but how are we going to do this
if we don't, you know,stick to what we got is our goal.
When we want to make this happen, we gotta stick to it.
(16:22):
And then years from now you'll lookback and you'll say, oh, my
goodness, you know, all thatsacrifice was worth it because now you know
you're in a different place. Youset yourself up for success, and I
think the people that really, youknow, honor your friendship your your relationship
and really are cheering on your success. We'll understand, you know. The
(16:45):
ones that don't, it's like,well that's why you're still in the same
place that you're at unfortunately, andthis is why we're we're you know,
set ourselves up for all this success. So, I mean it is tough.
It is a sacrifice, and youknow, like you said, you
gotta do what you gotta do.And I you know, as a you
know, a woman, a womanof color, black and brown, representing
for the community, have there beenany challenges in terms of starting a business
(17:08):
like this coming from the place thatyou are. Yeah, I mean not
not too much. It's been youknow, people been welcoming, but there's
times where you know, like saywe go to a convention or something,
they're looking as what you're the owner. Yeah, we're the owners, you
know, and they're right, youknow, like like they didn't take like
not taking us seriously and that youknow, it's like, nah, we
(17:29):
are the owners, yes, youknow, and right putting that out there,
you know, you gotta because againwe're coming. We're in in a
business that you don't see this veryoften, right, you know, so
when they see us they're like,they don't they think we're just the workers
or something. No, we ownthis business. People come in the store
too and say that like, ohyou're the aren't. Yeah, oh really,
you know, and so you kindof right. It's all love,
(17:52):
it's no disrespect, but it's just, you know, people are not used
to seeing it. So when theydo, you know, you just give
them that, Yeah, I'm theowner and this because you know it's my
store. You're welcome in, comeon in. You know, I welcome
everybody in, right, right,And that's gotta be that's gotta be a
really good feeling to be able toteach and show your kids that because you
know, I know, growing uplike you didn't always see that right,
(18:15):
and to see your parents of color, you know, owning this business and
and and keeping it open, right, is such an amazing, you know
thing to show your children and givethem that that view. We actually had
on recently an entrepreneur who is whois actually the first creator of the first
(18:38):
Asian doll, and you know,she's from San Francisco, and you know
she's she's talking about the fact thatyou know, you go down these aisles
and you look at all these dollsand you're like, there's no doll that
looks like me. And it's thesame concept with entrepreneurs and business owners and
folks that are you know, reallymaking changes in the industry. You don't
(19:03):
always see black and brown folks.So it's it's so important that you guys
are staying at the forefront and representingand also just having such confidence and showing
your kids that confidence of like,yeah, I'm the owner and you know,
come on and you're welcome, andit's it's such a statement right to
(19:26):
be making for these kids. Sowhat is what are some of the things
that you're doing, you know,in terms of getting them prepared, Like
are you letting them see the businessside of it and you know, not
just a fun side of things.Yeah. So, like I said,
my my fifth year old she worksat the store and you know, so
she's learning how to you know,the money all, how to handle money
(19:48):
and talk with customers. And Ithink it's a good experience for her.
My twelve year old she comes into help sometimes, but she'll going back.
But I show them, you know, just how to you know tory.
Uh, you know, they clean, they help clean, sometimes they'll
clean, wash dogs in there forus, you know. So it's it's
it's fun for them as well.But they're also learning and they're seeing that,
(20:10):
you know, and then you know, they're also learning the business part
of it, as in, Okay, I teach my daughter how to do
like the accounting part. She shedoesn't really care too much for that part,
so I usually handle that, youknow. But she likes to be
like in the front with the music, you know, because we like to
have our music on when we're there. We took music up, so she
gets in there and she loves herhairy style. She puts that music up
(20:32):
and people come in because they hearthe music. I came in because this
is our party here, party,come on in, you know. Well
so, but that's what we teachher too that, you know, kind
of have that same character like us, you know, because this is that's
what our business is about. We'rewelcoming to everybody and we are we are
we love music. Hey, let'splay the music, you know, and
people appreciate that. They come in. I hey, I came in because
(20:53):
I hear that music. It's aparty going on. And they come in
and they see us, they talkwith us and you know, they end
up saying, hey, yeah,I want to spend with you because of
just you. You're kind of likeselling yourself that way, and you're showing
who you are. You know,you're being yourself, having personality that people
love. You know. Yeah,I mean if you if you had someone
(21:14):
you know, because a lot oftimes we encounter people who, you know,
they have ideas, they have visionsbecause like you said, this just
started as an idea and you guysdecided to actually do something with that idea.
There's a lot of people who aretoo scared to take that leap and
too scared to even try. Imean, is there any piece of advice
that you give to somebody who's like, ah, man, I've had this
(21:34):
vision, I've had this idea.I really would be happier if I could
do that, but I just don'tknow how. You know, I say,
you know, go for it,don't don't hold back on anything,
because, like when I said earlierabout time, we're only here for amount
of time, and you don't wantto waste it right and say, well,
I'm gonna do it Tomorrow'm gonna godo it tomorrow. No, wait
for tomorrow, and maybe too lateso I definitely say to go for it.
(21:57):
I have another thing to add.You know, I'm big about uh,
you know, the universe and manifestingthings. And I did about it
was about twelve, yeah, elevenyears ago. I made this vision board,
made it out of you know,some cardboard, and I put on
there a picture of myself no,okay, my face, and I pasted
(22:18):
on Beyonce's body. Right yeah,I quick that I wanted to go to
Africa. I said I wanted togo to Italy. I want to go
to Puerto Rico. I had amansion on there and like a pink Bentley
right yeah. But what's crazy isthat I lost this weight. I don't
I don't think I Beyonce. ObviouslyI'm myself, but like like that sound,
(22:40):
I'm like, hell, yeah,you know, I came a long
way so that manifested. I've beento Egypt, I went to Puerto Rico,
and I went to Italy and allthis was just again. I found
my in my like box where Ihave all my old pictures and stuff.
Yeah, and I was like,what the hell? Like, so I'm
big, I'm like, we're goingto manifest everything. So we make a
vision board at home and I tellthe kids, who what you want on
(23:02):
there? You know, everything thatyou want or you you see yourself,
just put it on there and wedate it and we just let it sit
there and we go and we addto it, and I'm letting it grow.
Yeah. Yeah, You're planting alltypes of seeds around you and letting
it grow. And that's a beautifulthing. I mean, I think you
you brought up a really good pointabout manifesting and really just seeing yourself in
(23:25):
that life right and really bringing itto you. So we talked about kids.
We talked about you know, havingthe energy to keep up with them
and you know, be able tocare for them. But you've got to
care for yourself. It's so important. What are the things that you're doing
to make sure that you're caring foryourself and that self care is is on
the priority list? Yeah, definitely. I'd love to meditate, so and
(23:49):
I make that a family thing.Every night, we I'd sell everybody telling,
my phones, everything and we puton some meditation like off of YouTube
and we can sit there and andthat's what helps me and it's and I
know what's it help us to kidsas well. Meditation we're new with it.
We've been doing it for like thelast two months. And that's something
for my self care where where Ithink is really important. It helps me
(24:11):
just reset, you know, fromthe whole day head, you know,
and we know we have a bigday coming up the next day. I
know it's gonna be a busy day, but we're like let everything go and
just sit back, relax, breathe, we stretch. You know, it's
really important. So I I dothat with my kids as well, So
like that's something and then for myself, you know, that's my time is
(24:33):
just really with my kids, that'sall, you know. So I do
want to make more time. That'ssomething I do need to do, is
make time for myself. Yeah,I mean, I think that's one of
the things that we've talked about witha lot of the moms that come on,
is you know, making sure tocarve out that time daily and really
giving yourself that opportunity to you know, do something that's just for you.
(24:55):
And it could just it could beas simple as like you know what,
I'm just gonna take a walk andgo couple times around the block and that's
just me, me time. Andit's so vital for our well being,
and you know, it's it's likeit's like, you know, bringing up
that that process of like if you'reon a plane and then those air masks,
(25:17):
those ixch your masks fall down,You've got to take yours first,
because you won't be able to saveyour babies if you can't breathe. So
I'm hoping that this, you know, conversation reminds you to, Hey,
I got to carve out some moretime for Lely. And you're doing a
lot. You got a regular job, You've got a whole store that's thriving,
(25:37):
which means that you're super busy withthat. You've got six kids on
top of the seventh one, whichis your husband. So we leave that
there. Yes, yes, Imean, it's it's so much. I
mean, we definitely once again wantto give you your flowers. And you
know, if you want to realquick shout out the website or the social
media for the store, please Ohyeah, we're r K nine. It's
(26:00):
at Shipyard K nine, follow uson the gram or you could come by
to our store right there on twentyfourth Street, thirty one sixty twenty fourth
Street, San Francisco Mission District comeon, listen for the music. I'm
sure you here the party. That'swhat's up. Thank you so much for
coming on. I'm sure we'll haveyou back. We'll have you back as
(26:21):
we kind of push on. ButI appreciate you coming on with us today.
I appreciate it. Thank you.Have a wonderful day.
This Mama Got Drama back for anotherepisode. I can't believe we're in season
two. I'm your hostess, LadyRay. Of course, we'd like to
bring on amazing moms that you know, juggle it all and then turn around
and say, you know what,I want some more. And today we
got Lele on with us. Sheof course has a regular nine to five
job. She also has four children. She also can I keep adding to
(00:24):
this list because this list continues.He is a entrepreneur, a business owner,
and not only is she bringing ussome knowledge when it comes to raising
your kids, but she's also gotsome knowledge for you people that got fur
babies and fur families because her store, uh, you know, accommodates all
of that. But let's make somenoise and welcome Lee lead to the podcast.
Hey, hey, thank you,right on, thank you. Shout
(00:49):
out to This Mama Got Drama.I'm excited to be here today. We're
excited to have you. This isour opportunity to give flowers to some amazing
moms that we see, you know, not only juggling, you know,
raising their their little ones into capableones, but also trying to knock down
these career goals and then still findtime for self care, because you can't
care for anybody else if you're nottaking care of yourself. I mean,
(01:10):
and that's probably somewhere where we canstart, because you've been on this weight
loss health journey and taking care ofyou and just you know, feeling amazing.
I mean, how has it been, you know, how far into
it are you now? So I'mtwo years in, okay, I was.
I lost a total of one hundredpounds at game, back eighteen of
those pounds. But you know,time happens and you just got to keep
(01:34):
going. But that's I mean,to go and lose one hundred pounds and
say I've only gained back eighteen isnothing like you. That's probably muscle first
off. Number two, we're allowedto have a little bit of water weight,
especially going into the cold season,we need to pack on a little
to stay warm. But I mean, that is an amazing journey right there.
(01:57):
I mean, what has been themost life changing part about it?
For you? So? I meaninitially I got the weight loss surgery,
I had got the gastric sleeve backin twenty twenty, right at the end
of the year, and you know, I was nervous. You know,
but it came to a point inmy life where I was like, Okay,
I got four kids. You know, I'm I'm I can't run with
them. I can't go to apark and play, and you know,
(02:20):
I'm out of breath, I havemy knees or hurt. And so I
had to make that decision in mylife to say, hey, it's time
to do something. And I wantedto feel good about myself, you know.
I was just like I was feelinglike how anyone would feel. You
know, you're overweight, you can'tdo much, you know, you're just
uncomfortable. So I had to makethat that change. And twenty twenty,
you know, it was hard topeople say, oh, you took the
easy way out. I get alot of them like that. It's nothing
(02:42):
easy about it, not at all. Right. It was like the two
weeks of a liquid diet only andyou know, I recorded my you know,
my daily moments from the beginning ofthe first day, and I was
crying. I mean, imagine beinghungry and the cooking for your family.
I'm for I am baking and youknow, ordering pizza. You know,
they're eating all its food and I'msmelling and I'm like I can't eat it,
(03:04):
you know, I would have togo to the room and you know,
ball up and cry like literally,yeah. Yeah, it's a huge
change. And for anybody who saysany of this is easy, whether it's
you know, you getting a surgeryor you going and you know, switching
your entire eating habits, I mean, none of it is easy. And
for anyone who hasn't struggled with weightor fluctuating in weight, I basically tell
(03:31):
them you need to keep your mouthshut because you have no idea what this
is like. And you know,at one point, I actually lost seventy
pounds and then I had both mybabies back to back, and it was
like my body just would not allowme to physically work out. And so
now I'm at that point where likelast year, I actually started working out
(03:53):
again and I had got down anotherthirty and then I injured myself. And
so this whole like time leading up, it's like you're trying to like recondition
your body, trying to let yourbody take its time, and it really
it takes time to do it whicheverway you decide to do it, and
it is a testament to the personyou are on the inside that's trying to
(04:14):
break through, you know, andand be on the outside. And so
I really want to give your flowersand just you know, remind you that
people don't know what it feels like. People don't know what that that that
journey is like. They no oneis in your shoes. And you have
to do what's right for your life. And I'm happy that you've been strong
enough to do it for yourself,for your kids and stick by your choice
too. Yeah. No, mostdefinitely, I mean again, And and
(04:39):
it's not like it was like adestination. This is for life, you
know. So I'm trying to encouragemy you know, my kids, you
know, because of course kids wantto eat all the snacks and all that.
And I mindful of that now,like with my shopping because I'm their
mother, or if I'm at thestore buying all these the sugar and then
I'm saying, I can't eat thisstuff. You know what role model am
I being? Right? Right?So it's it's a definitely changing experience for
(05:02):
all of us, and I'm workingon It's not it's not something that's so
easy. It's not you know,you wake up one day and you're there.
No, you gotta keep going,you know, Oh yeah, for
sure. And every day is likea battle because we get bombarded with so
many food options. Like if youreally were to stop and think about it
and actually tally it up, it'sin the hundreds, right, I mean,
(05:26):
it's all over the place. AndI think you're doing the right thing
by you know, instilling these behaviorsand these mindsets into your kids at a
young age where they are aware ofthe healthy choices and look at that as
a treat versus all this other junk, you know, as a treat.
So that's a that's a commendable thing. So, you know, kind of
(05:46):
pivoting to our kids. Is theresomething new that one of your kids or
all of your kids are doing rightnow? Yeah? So I have four.
So I have a fifteen year old, twelve year old, six and
three year old. The three olderones of girls, and my son is
my youngest. But my twelve yearold she decided to join volleyball, okay,
(06:08):
taking a liking to it. Soright now, you know, that's
what we're doing. We're going toher games, we're installing that, you
know, get her tough. Andshe's really loving it. And I'm really
really really proud of her because shewould not do things like that. She
wasn't into sports, and she's gettingout of her show and that makes me.
I'm like, yes, let's doit, you know, yeah,
let's go practice, come on,you know. So we're trying to,
you know, keep them involved insomething. But I was so proud that
(06:30):
that she made that choice because again, my kids wasn't not really into sports
like that. But yeah, he'sinto it. And I'm like, hey,
keep going, you know, okay, and look at you. You
can you could bounce around on thevolleyball volleyball field sport with her and be
right out there with her. Imean, that's an active sport. It's
not you know, I mean it'sdiving involved in the whole. Yeah.
(06:53):
I just went through games last weekendand she's out there and she's hitting the
ground and okay, and I'm like, I'm looking at like whoa, Like
I never seen her in that mode. So I'm like, okay, go
ahead, girl, you got this, you know. And I'm not.
I love sports, so I'm youknow, I love football and my kids,
you know, they like to watchit. So we're loud and streaming
the look at that, No I'mproud. Yeah, you gotta be,
(07:14):
you gotta be. I mean,it's it's really a trip when you see
them kind of like become themselves,right, Like they start to grow and
expand. Like my daughter, she'sthree, and she just mastered the monkey
bars over the weekend. So nowshe just she mom, let's go to
the monkey bars. I'm like,oh my god, Like we gotta give
you some gloves. Girl. Youhave all the type of calluses on your
(07:35):
hand, and it's active and it'sphysical, and you know, it's something
that they are having fun doing.But they're getting that that physical activity too,
and that's a part of it thatlike you know, she she she
joked when she finished, you know, got across and she goes because my
son's five and she's like, hecan't do the monkey bars, says he
(07:57):
don't need his vegetables. I'm strongerthan him because I eat my vest and
I'm like, you know what,I'm doing something good here, right,
you know. And it's it's goodbecause you see it in them and then
they kind of blossom and like yousaid, you're seeing this new side of
your daughter where she's just jumping intoaction and she's you know, going out
for the ball and like being lessshy and breaking through and that's the that's
(08:20):
the part of this. It's likeso rewarding, right, And you know
the other part of uh, youknow, being a parent is that you
have to you know, provide forthem and you also have to show them,
you know, hey, look,I'm I've I have decided this is
my goal and I've achieved it andI'm gonna be that example. And I
feel like you've been a great examplefor your kids in terms of like life
(08:43):
you know, life goals, butalso on the business side of things,
because you're a woman of color,you are an entrepreneur. You have a
family business where you guys have openedup. You want to talk a little
bit about your business and what thatwhole process look like opening. Yeah,
so you know, initially we openedour store. It was in the Hunness
Point area, the shipyard, sothat's where the name came from, the
(09:07):
shipyard K nine Supplies. We didthat because we end up getting a dog
and there was no no area,you know, nowhere in that area where
purchase you know, dog supplies,right, and there's so many people over
there they have dogs. So that'sthe idea. It was this idea and
then we end up having a store. Unfortunately, that store didn't work out
there. There was an incident thatoccurred and you know, almost my husband
(09:31):
almost lost his life actually right soafter that, we moved, you know,
we we got out of there andwe're now in the Mission District on
twenty fourth Street, and you know, it's doing great over there. It's
a lot of foot traffic and we'reputting you know, we the Mission District
I grew up in as well asyou know on this point, all these
areas where our family was from too. So just being able to get back
(09:54):
to our community and store for likethe elderly people there, they can't get
to you know, the nearest petyou know, pet cold is probably about
a mile away, so you know, staying local and having people come in
to purchase their goods for their petsbecause you know, your fur babies needed
to Yeah, I mean, youknow, trying to go all around town.
Some people don't have cars and can'tcarry the bags of food. So
(10:16):
you know, we're we're we're communitybased and we and we want to keep
it that way. I love that. I love that. I mean I
think that you know anyone who hasa fur baby, a fur relative nose.
They require so much. I meannot just food, not just water.
You gotta have toys, you gottahave a little place of of asleep.
(10:37):
And I you know, I don't. I don't have a pet.
I've always been like a adopted mom, Like they come, I'll dog watching
this, and then I'm like,m take take by back because I can't
get past the house breaking. I'mlike, you can't just be pinned everywhere.
So you know, you think aboutall these different things that you have
(10:58):
to you know, you have matsand pads and you know, training them
and snacks and this and that,and you guys do it in such a
way that's like, like you said, giving back to the community, giving
them access. But it's cute too, like some of the stuff. If
I had a dog, I'd beat Shipyard K nine. I'd be like,
oh no, we need all signme up for all the fixings.
They need everything. So I meanit's a it's dope that you're keeping it,
(11:22):
like I said, accessible, Andyou know, I wish that you
guys would almost add like a littledoggie, like uh, do you guys
do any like like what do youcall it like little classes for the for
the people to come in with theirdogs and do activities. We don't at
this time, but we're working onthat. And we're actually working on getting
(11:43):
a daycare for the pubs. Sothat's knew that's coming to the shipyard.
But you know, it's it's it'sjust like I said, it's being black
and brown and having this business becausethis business usually there's not too many black
and brown owners, you know,so I think a lot of people appreciate
that. And I see that,Look, we're serious and this was again
from my idea and we brought itto life and you knowing all the way
(12:05):
with it. Yeah, and it'sa family affair too, Like you said,
your husband's a part of it.I've seen your kids in videos and
really trying to help out and justgiving that opportunity to show them what entrepreneurship
looks like, what responsibility looks like, and that's pretty dope that you're instilling
that into your kids this early.And I'm what I was talking about as
(12:26):
far as like you know, havingthese spaces for the pets is I always
like my kids and our goal islike we don't go to the same park
all the time, so we goto all kinds of new parks and sometimes
we'll go to park. I'm like, look at that, like the difference
between that dog park and that dogpark. I'm like, y'all really care
about your pets at this part becausethey'll have some that I'll have like jumping
(12:48):
things and little tunnels for them tocrawl through. So I always see people
and I have a lot of friendswe have dogs, and they're like,
oh, we we have a youknow, we meet up at the dog
park and I'm like, okay,look at y'all try to have social time
at the dog parts. That wouldbe dope to have like a little social
event for you know, for ownersto come through and you know socialize.
(13:09):
Yeah, and that's something that weyou know, do as well, because
we have like sometimes we have champagneSaturday's Happy Nights and you know, the
socialized bring the dogs, take aplay and we have a yard in the
back. So it's you know,we try to make it fun too.
And I mean, again, likeyou said, for the for your pets,
you're gonna do whatever you want becausethey're your baby. I have two
pets as well, so it's likethose are my babies. You know,
so I have four kids, butI actually have six right doing for them,
(13:33):
you know. Yeah, So howdo you how do you like what
has been the most challenging in termsof opening a new business, you know,
raising your kids? Like you said, you have a lot of responsibilities
and you have a whole other job, right, So what has been like
the biggest challenge for you? Definitelytime? Yeah, you know. Time.
(13:54):
It's it's so you know, wedon't take we take it for granted,
honestly. And for me, Ifeel like, you know, it's
been so hard because I have tospread myself into like six different people.
You know, my kids want one, may want this, one wants this
one, you know, all thesethis the cat wants to you know,
my husband. I gotta spread myselfto give everybody a piece to me.
(14:16):
And I think that's the most challengingpart is just my time and and wishing
that I can just you know,be multiple places at once, as we
all wish we could, right,But that's I think that's been the most
challenging part for me. It's justtime, because it's sometimes it takes away
from the kids too, you know, if you know, we have events,
and you know, we'll bring afew of the kids, my older
(14:37):
kids they help out and my daughterworks at the store, so you know,
but it's just like that's that's allwe do, you know, and
it's hard for us to go tolike family parties or things sometimes because we
have a store. We have tobe there. We have to work.
Yeah, you know, you canmake it where it's like we could hire
a lot of people then then thatwill be you know, the thing with
(14:58):
right now, it's just it's greatand grind. We're working for work.
You know, we're going hard.Yeah. Yeah, and you have to
you have to have that passion andyou have to have that drive. I
mean, I think you know,you'll probably be a testament to this that
you know, it really boils downto scheduling every every moment right and sticking
(15:18):
to it. Like we don't reallyhave too much time to just be like
okay, well we could spend twohours at your birthday party, like no,
we have to. And and that'sthe part, you know, talking
to a lot of entrepreneurs on ourpodcast and and just talking to business people
is you know a lot of timesyour social life is non existent. It's
(15:39):
it's it's all about your business,right, yeah, and if you want
it to succeed, you got toput your all into it. And so
you know, we're we're still learningthat because we're new. You know,
we're going into three years and youknow, it's it's a test. It's
like, okay, you know,what do we again? I'm working still
a full time job, and thensay, you know, I gotta hit
to the store, do this,you know, and come home, cook
(16:02):
clean. You know. It's likeit's so much, you know, and
you gotta mentally prepare yourself for everything. And you know, I tell people,
don't no hard feelings. I can'tmake it this time, but you
know, and you feel bad.I feel bad a lot after I'm like
dam I mean, all right,but how are we going to do this
if we don't, you know,stick to what we got is our goal.
When we want to make this happen, we gotta stick to it.
(16:22):
And then years from now you'll lookback and you'll say, oh, my
goodness, you know, all thatsacrifice was worth it because now you know
you're in a different place. Youset yourself up for success, and I
think the people that really, youknow, honor your friendship your your relationship
and really are cheering on your success. We'll understand, you know. The
(16:45):
ones that don't, it's like,well that's why you're still in the same
place that you're at unfortunately, andthis is why we're we're you know,
set ourselves up for all this success. So, I mean it is tough.
It is a sacrifice, and youknow, like you said, you
gotta do what you gotta do.And I you know, as a you
know, a woman, a womanof color, black and brown, representing
for the community, have there beenany challenges in terms of starting a business
(17:08):
like this coming from the place thatyou are. Yeah, I mean not
not too much. It's been youknow, people been welcoming, but there's
times where you know, like saywe go to a convention or something,
they're looking as what you're the owner. Yeah, we're the owners, you
know, and they're right, youknow, like like they didn't take like
not taking us seriously and that youknow, it's like, nah, we
(17:29):
are the owners, yes, youknow, and right putting that out there,
you know, you gotta because againwe're coming. We're in in a
business that you don't see this veryoften, right, you know, so
when they see us they're like,they don't they think we're just the workers
or something. No, we ownthis business. People come in the store
too and say that like, ohyou're the aren't. Yeah, oh really,
you know, and so you kindof right. It's all love,
(17:52):
it's no disrespect, but it's just, you know, people are not used
to seeing it. So when theydo, you know, you just give
them that, Yeah, I'm theowner and this because you know it's my
store. You're welcome in, comeon in. You know, I welcome
everybody in, right, right,And that's gotta be that's gotta be a
really good feeling to be able toteach and show your kids that because you
know, I know, growing uplike you didn't always see that right,
(18:15):
and to see your parents of color, you know, owning this business and
and and keeping it open, right, is such an amazing, you know
thing to show your children and givethem that that view. We actually had
on recently an entrepreneur who is whois actually the first creator of the first
(18:38):
Asian doll, and you know,she's from San Francisco, and you know
she's she's talking about the fact thatyou know, you go down these aisles
and you look at all these dollsand you're like, there's no doll that
looks like me. And it's thesame concept with entrepreneurs and business owners and
folks that are you know, reallymaking changes in the industry. You don't
(19:03):
always see black and brown folks.So it's it's so important that you guys
are staying at the forefront and representingand also just having such confidence and showing
your kids that confidence of like,yeah, I'm the owner and you know,
come on and you're welcome, andit's it's such a statement right to
(19:26):
be making for these kids. Sowhat is what are some of the things
that you're doing, you know,in terms of getting them prepared, Like
are you letting them see the businessside of it and you know, not
just a fun side of things.Yeah. So, like I said,
my my fifth year old she worksat the store and you know, so
she's learning how to you know,the money all, how to handle money
(19:48):
and talk with customers. And Ithink it's a good experience for her.
My twelve year old she comes into help sometimes, but she'll going back.
But I show them, you know, just how to you know tory.
Uh, you know, they clean, they help clean, sometimes they'll
clean, wash dogs in there forus, you know. So it's it's
it's fun for them as well.But they're also learning and they're seeing that,
(20:10):
you know, and then you know, they're also learning the business part
of it, as in, Okay, I teach my daughter how to do
like the accounting part. She shedoesn't really care too much for that part,
so I usually handle that, youknow. But she likes to be
like in the front with the music, you know, because we like to
have our music on when we're there. We took music up, so she
gets in there and she loves herhairy style. She puts that music up
(20:32):
and people come in because they hearthe music. I came in because this
is our party here, party,come on in, you know. Well
so, but that's what we teachher too that, you know, kind
of have that same character like us, you know, because this is that's
what our business is about. We'rewelcoming to everybody and we are we are
we love music. Hey, let'splay the music, you know, and
people appreciate that. They come in. I hey, I came in because
(20:53):
I hear that music. It's aparty going on. And they come in
and they see us, they talkwith us and you know, they end
up saying, hey, yeah,I want to spend with you because of
just you. You're kind of likeselling yourself that way, and you're showing
who you are. You know,you're being yourself, having personality that people
love. You know. Yeah,I mean if you if you had someone
(21:14):
you know, because a lot oftimes we encounter people who, you know,
they have ideas, they have visionsbecause like you said, this just
started as an idea and you guysdecided to actually do something with that idea.
There's a lot of people who aretoo scared to take that leap and
too scared to even try. Imean, is there any piece of advice
that you give to somebody who's like, ah, man, I've had this
(21:34):
vision, I've had this idea.I really would be happier if I could
do that, but I just don'tknow how. You know, I say,
you know, go for it,don't don't hold back on anything,
because, like when I said earlierabout time, we're only here for amount
of time, and you don't wantto waste it right and say, well,
I'm gonna do it Tomorrow'm gonna godo it tomorrow. No, wait
for tomorrow, and maybe too lateso I definitely say to go for it.
(21:57):
I have another thing to add.You know, I'm big about uh,
you know, the universe and manifestingthings. And I did about it
was about twelve, yeah, elevenyears ago. I made this vision board,
made it out of you know,some cardboard, and I put on
there a picture of myself no,okay, my face, and I pasted
(22:18):
on Beyonce's body. Right yeah,I quick that I wanted to go to
Africa. I said I wanted togo to Italy. I want to go
to Puerto Rico. I had amansion on there and like a pink Bentley
right yeah. But what's crazy isthat I lost this weight. I don't
I don't think I Beyonce. ObviouslyI'm myself, but like like that sound,
(22:40):
I'm like, hell, yeah,you know, I came a long
way so that manifested. I've beento Egypt, I went to Puerto Rico,
and I went to Italy and allthis was just again. I found
my in my like box where Ihave all my old pictures and stuff.
Yeah, and I was like,what the hell? Like, so I'm
big, I'm like, we're goingto manifest everything. So we make a
vision board at home and I tellthe kids, who what you want on
(23:02):
there? You know, everything thatyou want or you you see yourself,
just put it on there and wedate it and we just let it sit
there and we go and we addto it, and I'm letting it grow.
Yeah. Yeah, You're planting alltypes of seeds around you and letting
it grow. And that's a beautifulthing. I mean, I think you
you brought up a really good pointabout manifesting and really just seeing yourself in
(23:25):
that life right and really bringing itto you. So we talked about kids.
We talked about you know, havingthe energy to keep up with them
and you know, be able tocare for them. But you've got to
care for yourself. It's so important. What are the things that you're doing
to make sure that you're caring foryourself and that self care is is on
the priority list? Yeah, definitely. I'd love to meditate, so and
(23:49):
I make that a family thing.Every night, we I'd sell everybody telling,
my phones, everything and we puton some meditation like off of YouTube
and we can sit there and andthat's what helps me and it's and I
know what's it help us to kidsas well. Meditation we're new with it.
We've been doing it for like thelast two months. And that's something
for my self care where where Ithink is really important. It helps me
(24:11):
just reset, you know, fromthe whole day head, you know,
and we know we have a bigday coming up the next day. I
know it's gonna be a busy day, but we're like let everything go and
just sit back, relax, breathe, we stretch. You know, it's
really important. So I I dothat with my kids as well, So
like that's something and then for myself, you know, that's my time is
(24:33):
just really with my kids, that'sall, you know. So I do
want to make more time. That'ssomething I do need to do, is
make time for myself. Yeah,I mean, I think that's one of
the things that we've talked about witha lot of the moms that come on,
is you know, making sure tocarve out that time daily and really
giving yourself that opportunity to you know, do something that's just for you.
(24:55):
And it could just it could beas simple as like you know what,
I'm just gonna take a walk andgo couple times around the block and that's
just me, me time. Andit's so vital for our well being,
and you know, it's it's likeit's like, you know, bringing up
that that process of like if you'reon a plane and then those air masks,
(25:17):
those ixch your masks fall down,You've got to take yours first,
because you won't be able to saveyour babies if you can't breathe. So
I'm hoping that this, you know, conversation reminds you to, Hey,
I got to carve out some moretime for Lely. And you're doing a
lot. You got a regular job, You've got a whole store that's thriving,
(25:37):
which means that you're super busy withthat. You've got six kids on
top of the seventh one, whichis your husband. So we leave that
there. Yes, yes, Imean, it's it's so much. I
mean, we definitely once again wantto give you your flowers. And you
know, if you want to realquick shout out the website or the social
media for the store, please Ohyeah, we're r K nine. It's
(26:00):
at Shipyard K nine, follow uson the gram or you could come by
to our store right there on twentyfourth Street, thirty one sixty twenty fourth
Street, San Francisco Mission District comeon, listen for the music. I'm
sure you here the party. That'swhat's up. Thank you so much for
coming on. I'm sure we'll haveyou back. We'll have you back as
(26:21):
we kind of push on. ButI appreciate you coming on with us today.
I appreciate it. Thank you.Have a wonderful day.
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