Q and A with Leana from Chicago, Illinois, living in the Washington D.C. Metro Area
“As a wife, mom, and professional, I’ve had to navigate a lot, but staying grounded in what truly matters—my family, my faith, and making a positive impact—has kept me thriving. There’s so much peace and empowerment in choosing to grow intentionally rather than rushing to ‘have it all.’”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about living with intention and creating a positive impact in everything I do. My interests center around wellness, culinary, creativity, and connection—whether that’s through practicing Pilates and yoga, creating innovative marketing strategies, or cooking flavorful meals with healthy ingredients.
I discovered my passion for wellness over a decade ago when I started yoga and Pilates. What began as a way to stay fit and combat anxiety evolved into a deeper appreciation for how movement can bring mental clarity and emotional peace. This passion for balance and growth extends into my professional life as well.
I own and run Xenful Marketing, a boutique digital marketing and communications agency. It’s built it on values like integrity, creativity, and stellar customer service. My work allows me to collaborate with small businesses and nonprofits, helping them turn their goals into realities. Seeing my clients’ visions come to fruition is incredibly fulfilling.
I also own Xenful Kitchen (formerly Love, Food. Caters), where I create and sell low- to no-salt and low- to no-sugar spices and herbs. This ties in perfectly with my love for cooking and creating dishes that are healthy with dynamic flavor—something that became even more important to me as a mom. My cooking style and the flavors I like to play with has been called “tropical soul” by most of my clients.
Right now, I’m focused on growing both businesses while creating systems that give me time for my family and my own well-being. Personally, I’m working on habit-building systems for goal-setting and helping my toddler transition into her next developmental stage. Everything I do comes back to building a life that feels authentic and inspiring—for myself, my family, and the people I serve.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Being the only child to my parents, I was always busy with activities like gymnastics, dance, volunteering, etc. Growing up, I was surrounded by a strong sense of community and family values that really shaped who I am today. I’m forever grateful to my parents for raising me that way. The cultures of my family and beliefs played a huge role in my upbringing, teaching me the importance of resilience, community, and love for others.
Education was always emphasized as a way to open doors, and I embraced it wholeheartedly throughout college and even now. I worked hard in school and participated in activities that challenged and pushed me creatively and academically. Currently, I often take courses to continue my education in my respective fields and industries so that I can ensure that my knowledge is fresh and up to date as things change so swiftly.
I’ve always been a curious, inquisitive, and determined person, which led me to explore my passions early on. I was heavily drawn to dance, culinary experiences, full creativity, and expressing myself—skills that are central to my core and drive me as a culinary aficionado and digital marketing and communications professional. My family encouraged me to dream big and stay grounded, which instilled in me a strong work ethic and a love for helping others succeed.
One of the most impactful parts of my younger years was my introduction to yoga and Pilates. I started practicing over a decade ago, and it became a way for me to find balance, peace, and strength—mentally, physically and emotionally. That practice has carried into my adult life and influences how I approach challenges with mindfulness and intention. In fact, I continued practicing Pilates throughout my pregnancy until two days before giving birth! Overall, my upbringing taught me to value integrity, continuous improvement, and showing up for others. Those lessons remain at the core of everything I do as a mother, wife, or professional.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Something valuable I’ve learned is the power of integrity and intentionality in everything you do—whether in business, relationships, or personal growth. I’ve discovered that success isn’t just about reaching goals; it’s about the values you uphold along the way. Showing up with authenticity, prioritizing continuous improvement, and genuinely serving others create deeper, more fulfilling results.
From my story, I’d like others to learn that balance is achievable when you align your work, passions, and purpose. As a wife, mom, and professional, I’ve had to navigate a lot, but staying grounded in what truly matters—my family, my faith, and making a positive impact—has kept me thriving. There’s so much peace and empowerment in choosing to grow intentionally rather than rushing to “have it all.”
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism, to me, is about equality, empowerment, and the freedom for women to live life on their own terms – not terms built by men. It’s not about superiority; it’s about ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities, respect, and autonomy as men.
More so, it means honoring the strength and resilience of the women who’ve come before me, breaking barriers so that my daughter grows up in a world where her voice is valued and her potential is limitless.
Feminism is also about standing against injustice, creating inclusive spaces, and making intentional choices that uplift others. It’s ensuring that women—especially women of color—are heard, respected, and given the tools they need to thrive. For me, it’s about living and working with integrity, love, and progress for all women.
Thanks for reading!
Contact me:
Business: XenfulMarketing.com
XenfulKitchen.com Instagram.com/xenfulkitchen
The Woman Wednesday Blog 