Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Angela M. Cantoni of West Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Angela M. Cantoni and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, 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 you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many people—especially parents—are secretly struggling with the constant pressure to “do it all” and make it look effortless. There’s this unspoken expectation that you should be running a business, raising kind and successful kids, staying connected to your partner, maintaining friendships, keeping a clean house, eating healthy, working out, staying informed, and somehow still have time for self-care. The truth is, no one is doing it all, at least not all at once—and certainly not without help. I think many parents feel guilt or even shame admitting that they’re overwhelmed, because they think it means they’re failing. But the reality is: asking for help, setting boundaries, and saying no are all signs of strength—not weakness.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a mom, entrepreneur, and the founder of FUN WITH KIDS IN LA®, a platform I created to help busy parents discover the best experiences, events, and resources for families across Los Angeles.

The idea for FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® was born from my own experience as a mom. When my son was little, I was always searching for meaningful things to do together, activities that went beyond just keeping him busy and truly created memories. I figured, if I was spending hours searching for family-friendly things to do, other parents probably were too. So I decided to create the kind of site I wish I had: one place to find the best events, camps, classes, and fun places to go with your kids — all in one spot, and actually worth your time.

What started as a side project grew into something much bigger than I imagined. Today, FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® reaches a huge community of local parents who trust us to help them plan memorable weekends, school breaks, and everything in between.

What makes us different? We care, and it shows. Every recommendation is curated with intention, and everything we publish is designed to save parents time and help them enjoy more quality moments with their kids. We’re all about connection, not just content.

Right now, I’m focused on growing our partnerships, expanding our guides, and continuing to spotlight the incredible family-friendly gems hidden all over LA. It’s been such a fun journey, and the best part is knowing we’re helping other families make magical memories along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Losing four pregnancies changed me in ways I never expected. It was heartbreaking, yes, but also transformative. With each loss, it felt like a piece of my heart broke… but strangely, it also felt like my heart got bigger. Bigger in compassion, in empathy, in gratitude. I became softer in some ways and stronger in others. I learned to hold space for both joy and pain, and to never take the smallest moments for granted.

That shift in perspective is a big part of why I created FUN WITH KIDS IN LA®. I wanted to build something that helps families embrace the everyday magic, to create memories, soak in the laughter, and really be present with each other. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but there’s still so much beauty to be found when you slow down and savor what matters most.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me how to sit in stillness, to be okay with not having answers, and to keep going even when the path ahead felt completely uncertain. It taught me how to be gentle with myself, how to let go of control, and how to live with an open heart, even after it’s been broken.

Success is beautiful, but it often happens in fast-forward. Suffering slows everything down. It forces you to pause, to reflect, and to find strength you didn’t know you had. It reminded me that I’m more than my achievements, that real resilience is built in quiet, unseen moments when no one’s cheering you on.

Those lessons shaped how I run my business and how I show up in the world. FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® isn’t just about fun things to do; it’s about helping families find connection and joy, even in the midst of life’s chaos. That mission was born not from success, but from the hard, sacred work of healing.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, but it’s definitely the edited version. The public me is organized, upbeat, and always full of ideas and energy. And while that’s all true, it’s not the whole story. The real me also has moments of overwhelm, self-doubt, and exhaustion, just like any other parent or entrepreneur juggling a million things at once.

What you see through FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® is my heart, though. It’s real. The love for family time, the passion for helping others, the belief that small moments matter, that’s all deeply personal to me. But I’ve also learned that it’s okay to keep some parts of myself sacred and private. I share the parts that I hope will inspire, connect, and support others. And behind the scenes, I’m just a mom trying to raise a kind kid, run a business I believe in, and live a life that feels meaningful, even if it’s a little messy.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, and in many ways, I already have. So much of what I’ve built with FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® has happened behind the scenes, with no spotlight, no applause, and no guarantees. But I’ve always believed that when something is rooted in purpose, it doesn’t need constant praise to feel meaningful.

My motivation has never been about recognition; it’s been about helping other families make the most of their time together and creating something lasting for my own son to look back on. Knowing that a parent found a new adventure through our site, or that a child had a special day because of something we shared — that’s enough. That’s everything.

Praise is nice, of course. But legacy, for me, is about impact. It’s about quietly showing up, doing the work, and leaving something better behind, whether the world notices or not.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.funwithkidsinla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funwithkidsinla/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fun-with-kids-in-la-704715110/
• Twitter: https://x.com/FUNWITHKIDSINLA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FUNWITHKIDSINLA
• Youtube: @funwithkidsinla6821
• Other: Facebook Group: FUN THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN LA
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/526439930774190

Image Credits
Image Credits: FUN WITH KIDS IN LA®