We were lucky to catch up with Ellyn Kozob-Lerner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ellyn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

In 2019, my family and I moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, just as the pandemic began. Despite the challenges, my passion for exploration and connection persisted.

Through the uncertainty, my desire to explore and connect with our new surroundings remained constant. As a part-time optometrist and a full-time parent, I discovered inspiration in LA’s vibrant family-friendly offerings.

After my son was born in 2021, we moved to Santa Monica. I craved more connection, more spontaneity, and more time spent outdoors. I discovered a newfound passion for exploring the vibrant city of Los Angeles with my family. From parks to libraries to local businesses, I found joy in uncovering hidden gems and sharing them with others. What started as a personal journey soon evolved into something more as I began documenting our adventures on social media.

Through my Instagram page, I found a platform to not only share our experiences but also to connect with other families in the community. Whether it was recommending a new playground or highlighting a family-friendly event, I discovered the power of storytelling in bringing people together.

With each post, I realized that I was tapping into a different side of myself, one that thrived on creativity, exploration, and community. It wasn’t long before I made the decision to dedicate more time to this passion project, balancing it with my part-time work as an optometrist.

Today, I continue to embrace this journey with open arms, knowing that every adventure, every recommendation, and every connection made is a step closer to living a life filled with purpose and passion. And for that, I am grateful.

Ellyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started the page Santa Monica Kids back in 2022. I was on a mission to make every day an adventure with my amazing kids. But before I became your go-to guide for LA family fun, I actually had a whole different career! For years, I worked as an optometrist. While I enjoyed that path, becoming a mom completely shifted my focus. When we moved here from Chicago in 2019, I was blown away by the endless sunshine and all the opportunities to be outdoors. I knew I didn’t want to take that for granted, and I wanted my children to experience the incredible vibrancy of this city, from its bustling streets to its hidden natural gems.

That’s how this page was born! It started as a way for me to document the fun new things we explored each week. Trying out a quirky art studio, discovering a secret hiking trail, or even just finding the best park for a picnic – these are the moments I treasure most, and I wanted to share them with other parents who might be looking for inspiration.

My page is more than just reviews; it’s about connecting with other parents who share the same passion for creating amazing memories with their kids. Knowing that I’ve helped families discover new adventures and inspired them to explore their city is incredibly rewarding.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

While I don’t create art in the traditional sense, running this page definitely taps into my creative side! The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing how I can spark creativity and adventure in other families.

Think about it: taking a blank slate – a weekend with the kids – and transforming it into an unforgettable memory. Whether it’s finding a unique activity or discovering a new way to experience a familiar place, there’s a thrill in curating those experiences and sharing them with others.

It’s also incredibly rewarding to see how my adventures inspire others to get creative with their own family outings. Maybe they take my suggestion and add their own twist, or perhaps it sparks a whole new idea for them to explore. Knowing that this page plays a role in igniting that spark of creativity in other parents is what truly fuels my passion for it.

Have you ever had to pivot?

For years, I was an optometrist in Chicago. It was a stable career path, but after having kids, my priorities shifted. When we moved to Los Angeles in 2019, the sunshine and constant outdoor opportunities were a revelation! I knew I wanted to be more present and create lasting memories with my children, exploring all that this incredible city has to offer.

This new focus meant putting my optometry career on hold. It was a big decision, but one I felt was necessary to truly embrace this new chapter. Instead of examining eyes, I started examining the world around me through the curious lens of parenthood. This exploration led to the creation of this page, a platform to share our adventures and inspire other families.

It wasn’t always easy. There was a definite learning curve in terms of navigating social media and creating engaging content. But the joy of discovery, both for myself and for the families who follow along, has made it all worthwhile.

In essence, this page is a product of that pivot. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most rewarding journeys come from embracing change and stepping outside your comfort zone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/santamonicakids
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santamonicakids
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@santamonicakids

Image Credits
All photos are my own