1. Please introduce yourself: Name, what do you do & how many children you have.
My name is Lola Ogundele and I run black doll business called ‘’Lola Love Dolls’’, which I started back in 2018. I also work in a school and am mother to a beautiful 6 year old.
2. How do you manage to juggle work and life balance as a mother?
I balance work life and being a mum by making the most of what is available in my local area. My daughter used to go to Stagecoach, Gymnastics, athletics, swimming and Street Dance, which she highly enjoyed. This was all before lockdown. When lockdown happened, my daughter still attended school because I was required, as a keyworker, to carry on working at my school
3. What top tips would you give to any working mum?
As any working mother will know, a when having children you need to plan ahead. Being organised helps you to manage your time extremely well with your children. With my daughter I always make sure we have plan in order to get the best out of our day.
4. What do you love most about London? Do you have a favourite spot with your children
What I love about London is how accessible everything is. Museums, parks, restaurants, anywhere you want to go you can reach by car or use the great transport links the city has to offer. You can literally wait 3 minutes for a bus to come and there will always be an alternative route to your destination, no matter where you are trying to go.
Before lockdown, my daughter and I would often visit Westfield London. It is my favourite spot in London. It is in walking distance from our house, and we would go there and browse the shops. After, we would go to Burger King and sit outside and chill on the green. Sometimes we would catch a free show on the stage outside Wood Lane.
Another thing I love about London is how diverse it is. You can go from a Nigerian experience in Peckham South East London to a Bangladeshi cultural experience in Brick Lane in East London. From food to shopping, to musical events, London is a melting pot of culture.
5. How do you define quality ‘me-time’?
When I do get some time to myself, I tend to research new ways of developing my ‘’Lola Love Dolls’’ business, whether that is talking to suppliers or updating my social media pages. It’s not always work work work though!
I do love a good work out, cycling on my bike and jogging.
6. Where do you like going out in London?
Before lockdown, my daughter and I would often visit Westfield London. It is my favourite spot in London. It is in walking distance from our house, and we would go there and browse the shops. After, we would go to Burger King and sit outside and chill on the green. Sometimes we would catch a free show on the stage outside Wood Lane.
Now we are in lockdown, we are limited in what we can do. We tend to go bike riding around either Holland Park or Hyde Park.
6. What is your favourite & least favourite thing about parenthood?
Parenthood has its’ ups and downs. One of my favourite parts of it is having fun with my daughter. We have girly chats and work together to develop her brand of lip gloss and nail polishes. My daughter’s business is called ‘’Isabella Love’’. We also enjoyed taking holidays together, that is before lockdown.
I think one of my least favourite parts of parenthood is the constant tidying up after my daughter. The house is always a mess and I could tidy up and 20 minutes later there is a big mess again. I am pretty sure many parents can relate!
7. Tell us something people don’t know about you.
A lot of people don’t know that I love looking at interior design. I am always fascinated by how people express themselves creatively in decorating their homes. I always believe that the interior design of a person’s home speaks volumes about the individual.
8. Given we are all about embracing Motherhood, what advice would you give a first time Mum?
Being a first time mum is hard work. If I could advise one, I would tell them not to listen to negative advice and to stay away from people who put you down. Only you know what is best for you and your child and not all children are the same. What somebody else’s child is good at your child might be better at. Moreover, your child might be amazing at something totally different.
9. I’m a mum and……
Im a mum and I base my life around having fun, and making the most of life.
10. Finally, please let us know what you love most about Kensington Mums?
What I love most about Kensington Mums is that it allows mothers from the area to get together and share experiences and communicate together. It also gives great ideas and lets you know what’s going on in the area.
Read more inspiring interviews as part of our online motherhood exhibition and get in touch to share your story with us. We would love to hear from you..
