Meet Tomiko Fraser Hines | Model & Women’s Empowerment Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tomiko Fraser Hines and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tomiko, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’m a mother of 7-year old twin boys who are distance-learning because of Covid, so work/life balance has become a MUST DO for me. Even before Covid, my business allowed me to work from home. And that’s a great thing because when the pandemic shut just about everything down, I didn’t have to make a huge adjustment to my work life. But because my children are now home all day, I am not able to work uninterrupted. I am fortunate in that I have a good friend who works for my husband and I a few days during the week. The days that she is working, she keeps an eye on the boys and helps out with the upkeep of our home. My husband’s mother, my “mother-in-love” lives with us as well and she helps out quite a bit. So on those days that my friend is here, I can lock myself in my room and devote all of my attention to my work. I’m on the move from the moment I open my eyes at 6am until I fall into my bed exhausted from the day around 11pm. That’s why I’ve chosen to practice self care throughout my day when possible. That’s where the balance comes in. I make time to slow down and get present. That might mean I stand outside in my backyard and get grounded on the grass. Or I take a walk around my neighborhood. Or I put on my favorite music and dance around my bedroom for a bit. I also make it a point to work out 3 days a week which does wonders for me on so many levels. And I’ve made Fridays my “self care day”. Which means I spend more time practicing self care. That can include reading a book or magazine, catching up on my television shows, or taking a much-needed nap. My absolute favorite thing to do is take a nice long soak in the tub. I add Epsom and sea salts, baking soda, essential oils, and some apple cider vinegar. It’s a Detox Bath and it does the trick every time. While it’s rare that I get an entire Friday just for self care, I have been able to consistently carve out at least a few hours solely devoted to taking care of me. As it seems that we will be living with this Covid/quarantine routine for longer than expected, it’s imperative that I maintain a healthy work/life balance. I work hard and I self care purposefully. And my business and my overall mood are benefiting because of this balance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a model, actress, women’s empowerment activist, and intuitive guide. My women’s empowerment brand is called “The Goddess Life With Tomiko” and it’s a woman’s one-stop shop for all of her empowerment needs. A lesson I’ve learned along the way towards my work as a women’s empowerment activist is that being self-defined is a necessary foundation for women to blossom into the fully-expressed women they’re meant to be. By being able to create for herself who she is and what she wants to accomplish provides a woman with self-accountability and propels her towards being self-realized. She is becoming who she chooses to become on her own terms. And that is the ultimate form of empowerment in my opinion.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love good food, music, nature, and the arts. So I would be sure to take my best friend to some of my favorite spots. Our itinerary would include visits to: 1. Little Ethiopia in the Fairfax District. The restaurant, Meesob, offers delicious and authentic cuisine, as well as beautiful decor and music that makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Ethiopia itself. 2. As Los Angeles has a wonderful array of parks, we would definitely check out a local park. Balboa Park in Encino is one of my favorites as it offers a sprawling oasis of trees, a huge lake, and bikes to rent so you can explore the park. 3. We definitely stop by LACMA to see whatever exhibits are on display. 4. And since my best friend and I both love to dance, we’d definitely spend a day at SoulNic (if she was visiting over the summer). SoulNic is a yearly, day-long, outdoor DJ Fest where house music lovers convene to dance the day away listening to some of the best house music DJs around.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people to shout out because they are the ones that continue to support me and my efforts. I am truly grateful to my community for their love, guidance, and understanding. My husband, Chris, for always being my rock and my safe space. He is my dream realized. My sons, Kaden and Bryce, for being the reason I’ve grown more courageous and for showing me a depth of love I never knew existed before their births. My mother-in-love, Ruthie, for always going above and beyond for our family. And for her unending wisdom and how she so beautifully shares it. My extended family and “framily” for being the foundation from which I’m able to blossom. And for showing me the many facets of love that family provides. My best friends for always seeing and accepting me just as I am. And for lifting me out of the trenches when necessary. My Goddess Sisters for being examples of what’s possible when empowered women come together in love and support of each other. My loyal and loving team of managers and agents who, with their skill sets and vision, continue to help my family and I thrive. My gratitude runs deep for the love I’m surrounded by.

Website: www.thegoddesslifewithtomiko.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/GoddessTomiko www.instagram.com/thegoddesslifewithtomiko
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GoddessTomiko
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TomikoFraserHines2