An Inspired Chat with Gregori Okanemi of Sherman Oaks

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gregori Okanemi. Check out our conversation below.

Gregori, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day look like, waking you and doing my morning skincare routine. Sometimes I may record for content if a new product gets added. After my skin is taking care of… I like to think of it “me time”. I quickly get into the kitchen to make breakfast for myself and my family! Then its onto enjoying that meal, getting us dressed and starting our day!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course!! My name is Gregori Okanemi! I am a wife and mother to our two year old son!!! I love coffee, music, art, dance, and traveling.
I am currently full time at home with my son and enjoying being his first teacher. While being home with him I have been really diving into a new series I like to call “Coffee and Yap” on TikTok. I randomly woke up with the idea to include moms all around the world on a daily check in, but over coffee. Each day I come with a new recipe and topic of conversation, and so far the feedback and interactions have been great!! I always wanted to dive in on coffee but in a way that made it intriguing to the people watching and taking in what I am putting out. I finally believe that I found the key!!!! I even had a follower get into iced coffee recently because of my videos, which confirmed that I am on the right path with this idea.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I have to say my husband, we always joke about him knowing me better than I know myself. In the beginning I didn’t believe it but as time continued on, I joined in on his joke because it was true. I mean we spend just about every hour of each day together. Even though we have things that pull us out of the house, we lay our heads in the same bed for night and wake up in the same position. Nobody spends that much time with me but my son and he is only two.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I have to say when I became a mother. I had heard the stories about postpartum and postpartum depression, I don’t think any mother is truly ready for the “unknown”. You have your few quick check ins with your doctor after birth but its never truly deep enough to access ones whereabouts in their journey. Your emotions are at the highest they have ever been and the sleep is slim to none. How do I function, how do I get out of this dark place, what genuine resources do I have to help me during this time? Family is nice to have and a village is too but everyone’s experience is different. Even if there is a partner/spouse involved its makes no mothers experience greater or lesser than the next.

I chose to breastfeed as well, two years was my set goal. Did I know it would add to the hormonal and mental struggles absolutely not. It wasn’t until my son got closer to two that I started to see and understand how to overcome my weaknesses, my dark thoughts, and random urges to cry. I started to understand what I tools I would need to do this all over again and what I needed to do differently the next time around. The biggest thing was sharing some of my hardest and darkest moments on my social media. Other mothers complimenting me on being strong for not being afraid, speaking out about my struggles… even when on the outside it looked like I had it all together. From then on I knew this was helping me regain my power back as an individual. My identity as “self”, not wife or mom. There was more to me, and there were more mothers going through the same thing but were afraid to be vulnerable. I knew we needed a voice and just someone that was okay to share so that others felt comfortable to say “Me too.” or even share their own story. It was powerful!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
The biggest truth is that God truly is the answer. It may sound cliche but it’s true. Once I got back to me and started praying with action behind it I began to feel a shift. I noticed the goals that I had written down were coming to fruition, not only because I wrote it down but also because I believed, I prayed and I took the first step. Something as small as wanting to reach 5k followers collectively across all of my platforms this year. I’ve already reached the goal and it’s not even December yet. I wouldn’t have gotten here so quickly if it wasn’t for taking the first few steps. I planned it out and did my work. I post and create everyday. Im up editing when my family is sleeping, and engaging with other’s. I am constantly giving honor and glory to God because Im seeing it all unfold right in front of my eyes. Not only with content, but with myself, my marriage and my family. He wants the best for all of his children and I am making it my purpose to go after all that is mine!

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I believe so, growing up I was involved in A LOT!! Then one day dance became the center of my world, and let me tell you the feeling I got from performing was more than enough! I never need validation in it. Everything starts with us, and how we feel ultimately comes back to ourselves. They always say that our happiness starts with us, nobody else. I believe that!
For example you always hear people say it’s not about the views because all it takes is that one. I completely believe that and keep that in mind every day when Im creating. Not that “the one” is what fuels me to create and keep going but the thought of doing it because I genuinely love what I do and put out there. The right people will find me and what is for me will be for me. I won’t stop because the views and likes aren’t there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/thegregoriokanemi
• Instagram: gregorithegirl_
• Youtube: coffeeinrealtime
• Other: TikTok : mommagg_23