Today we’d like to introduce you to Mekala Love.
Hi Mekala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
COOKING WITH LOVE was born from an organic blend of the familial history and my professional career. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, with deep roots in New Orleans, I shadowed my grandmother while cooking for thousands of people for her food festivals, and I watched my grandfather take all kinds of herbs and elixirs to stay healthy.
I went on to pursue a career as a Psycho-Therapist, but when my grandmother passed away in 2016, I found the two worlds colliding in a state of depression. Besides going to therapy, the one thing that lifted me back to positivity was making nostalgic dishes and herbs/elixirs myself that brought me even closer to Granny’s spirit. The most important ingredient in any dish was LOVE.
Today, Cooking with Love embodies all of the above; offering herbs, wellness elixirs, and a holistic approach to healing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road however I am beyond grateful to my experiences along the way that have showed me my challenges. Even my downfalls and shortcomings are working fit my greater good.
In July of 2020, Thee fabulous and sensational Tabitha Brown shared my Peach Cobbler Sea Moss and Pineapple Elixir with her following on Instagram and I blew up overnight! What a blessing?!
I had a lot of work to do as orders came in by the hundreds. There was no way I could do this alone. Family and friends reached out to offer help and support. Even other business in Los Angeles lended me a helping hand such as the restaurant owner of Grilled Fraiche and clothing boutique owner of Philthy Ragz. It was amazing to have the support of my community behind rooting for me to win.
With a small but mighty team, we set up shop to begin producing my products,
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cooking With Love?
I want people to know that my business is a wellness company specializing in a variety of alternative health products such as assorted sea moss blends and elixirs. You should know that I make some of the best sea moss— period. Seamoss is a sea algae that grows in Atlantic waters. It attaches itself to rocks and pulls the minerals from the rocks making this sea plant a superfood that contains essential minerals for the body.
What sets me apart is the way I prepare my sea moss and my famous peach cobbler flavored sea moss which no one else is doing. I have a lot of other flavors that I can’t wait to share. I feel like what I have created is so special to me and a unique product. I’m proud to get a stamp of approval from Tabitha Brown for my Peach Cobbler Sea Moss, that went viral on Instagram and that I have been able to help people on their health journey.
A lot of love, care, patience, and time goes into making these products, and I truly care about my customer’s health the way that I care about my own. I’m not just in it to make a quick buck and so it really warms my heart when people give me feedback about how my products are helping to transform their life.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I always had a love and passion for cooking. I was raised around a lot of entrepreneurs in my family from my grandmother, father, aunt, and great uncle so it came natural for me to want to be an entrepreneur as well.
I’ve always had a hustling spirit. I started selling candy in elementary school which continued into middle school and high school.
My family also valued higher education and so I continued my formal education through graduate school to become a psychotherapist practicing marriage and family therapy. Even then, I carried my entrepreneurial spirit and created a healthy meal prep business under Cooking With Love.
Pricing:
- Peach cobbler sea moss $45
- Pineapple Mango Tango $35
- OG plain sea moss $30
- Pineapple Elixir $8
- Elderberry Elixir $8
Contact Info:
- Email: cookingwithlovellc@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.justcookingwithlove.com/
- Instagram: @justcookingwithlove
- Facebook: Cooking With Love
Image Credits:
Mekala Love
