We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Sir and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
That’s a hard question to answer – as it isn’t one important thing but a collection of behavior.

We can’t tell our children what to do since you lead by example and they learn through observation— and they calculate inconsistencies by the time they hit puberty, if not in that instant. One of my closest friends, Dr. Jennifer Jones, is a nationally renowned parenting expert. She tells us in her book Transformational Parenting that it is vital to create our lives based on what we love, by creating your life instead of letting life happen to you. In doing so, we alleviate any need of Ego and external validation.

I aim daily to lead this life and hope to have my children emulate. However, because it has become increasingly difficult due to the oversaturation of all types of media programming, I have found it imperative to stay hyper alert of our actions and thought processes in order to maintain a healthy mindset.
Every day I am still learning, as a parent and as a human — and I am a strong believer in the idea that if you are not growing, you are dying. Complacency and stagnation are what kill us.

I live simply as a work in progress and I want to exemplify that to my children. I want to underscore the value of everyday personal growth and convey to them that any sense of fear is self-created and always surmountable. I want to show them that they can and will create their lives — and that they can do and be anything. Their lives and goals should be ever-changing.

Their highest purpose in life lies in relationships with one another. If we fill our lives with love, trust and continued growth – then that is a parenting and personal success story.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Seoulfull Skin Food is a unisex Good Karma K-Beauty Oil — derived from clean and organic ingredients utilizing the best of Korean beauty practices. It was born because I saw a white space in the beauty and skincare market. I was frustrated that everything was so overpriced, at one ounce of a serum or oil for over $100.00, because of companies’ manufacturing, distribution and marketing costs.

How could we democratize high-end skincare to the mass? My aim in creating Seoulfull was to focus costs on the actual ingredients – ingredients that are simple, clean, sustainable, vegan, effective. And it was vital to me to create a biodynamic product for our skin — allowing a lifestyle of life-supporting life.

The ingredients that are created from ecologically and ethically sourced materials are meant to heal our bodies — from the food we eat to the antiaging beauty products we put on our skin. The beauty of Seoulfull is that, even though it was created as a face oil, it is also an all-in-one. You can layer it on top (if you want to apply a serum underneath), you can use it as an oil foundation before your Gua Sha practice, or you can gently press the oil on your face and décolleté and go! It is super hydrating for nighttime use, or if you want that extra dewy and glowy look for daytime, it couples as a cosmetic sheen.

I have been very fortunate to not hit bumps along the road – although, conceivably, and as cliché as it sounds, that may only my perception. If something doesn’t work, then I value that as knowledge and education I need that I didn’t have before. I have been extremely lucky to have found an audience so quickly, to have The Pantry LA – Melrose, pick up the line — and to have shout-outs from the best lifestyle bloggers and influencers out there, such as Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential, Dr. Nina Gray, Ashley Borden and Wendy Starland (the stunning songstress who discovered Lady Gaga). That kind of support has helped me immensely and I feel extremely fortunate.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

FOR GREAT COFFEE ——————— Alfred’s Coffee in Studio City Stumptown Coffee in DTLA Arts District

FOR DELICIOUS PIZZA ——————— Pizzanista in DTLA Arts District. They do gluten-free and vegan ones too!

FOR DELICIOUS FOOD ——————— Spago Geoffrey’s Malibu Bestia Crossroads Kitchen or Cafe Gratitude (for all us vegans and vegetarians!) Chosun Galbee Beverly Soon Tofu

FOR HIKING ——————— Runyon Canyon, Fryman Canyon or Temescal Canyon if they want a morning hike and the full LA experience.

FOR YOGA ——————— Corepower Yoga (Hot Power Fusion) or Hot 8 Yoga

FOR LUNCH OR DINNER ——————— NOBU MALIBU or SOHO HOUSE MALIBU at or before sunset.

FOR A FAB NIGHT OF OUTDOOR MUSIC ——————— The Greek Theater Hollywood Bowl

BEST PLACE TO CHECK OUT NEW ARTISTS ——————— AF Projects on Sunset

IF YOU HAVE KIDS ——————— Coldwater Canyon Park. It’s clean and pretty enclosed so parents can relax as the kids play. Malibu Beaches

BEST COOL MARKET ——————— THE PANTRY LA on Melrose. It’s a beautiful gourmet store on Melrose Avenue where you can buy holistic products, biodynamic goods, organic foods, gorgeous 24K lattes — and your bottle of SEOULFULL SKIN FOOD! Erewhon is always fun too.

 The aforementioned all provide for great people watching! 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Anyone or anything that has crossed my path deserves recognition in my story – regardless of whether that entity has served as an advocate and inspiring light — or whether that entity has served as a source of adversity and a reassessment toward a real learning point. They’re all ingredients in who I am. 

There is a composite of incredible people who have taught me to be somewhat of a non-conformist and to act with measured defiance — and to have a willingness to embrace failure as an inevitable stepping stone toward success. These figures have been my family, my college professors (especially Dr. Harry Edwards (civil rights activist, spiritual advisor to the 49ers, Black Panther)), current and former employers, high school teachers and coaches – and my Taekwondo Grandmaster and masters. These figures have all taught me to not fear fear, to author my own life, and to surround myself with the best tennis players – those smarter and better than me. 

These people in my life have encouraged me to develop a sense of resilience, responsibility and self-assurance. They raised the bar and set the example for me of what courage, character and integrity look like. Then it’s been up to me to execute.

Website: https://elainesir.com/ and https://seoulfull.com/ and https://kimchiandchallah.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladysir/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainesir/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladySIR
Facebook: http://facebook.com/elainesir
Other: UPCOMING PODCAST (co-hosted with celebrity trainer and lifestyle expert, ASHLEYBORDEN) KIMCHI + CHALLAH kimchiandchallah.com https://www.instagram.com/kimchiandchallah/

Image Credits
PHOTOS OF BLACK BOTTLES AND ME IN GREEN DRESS :: photos by Taj Jackson Photography PHOTO OF ME EDITED IN FRONT OF BLACK BOTTLES : photo by Taj Jackson, edited by The Pantry LA – Melrose. BLUE DRESS: photo by Smitty Imaging Ltd WHITE DRESS: photo by Dr. Jennifer Jones