From celebrated actor and producer to passionate mom and now founder of Yummy Tummy—a clean, multi-use skincare line designed with motherhood in mind (available on our website, one of the few places you can get your hands on this beautiful line!)—Tika Sumpter’s journey is all about showing up with heart, grit, and purpose. 

We sat down with Tika to discuss the inspiration behind Yummy Tummy, the challenges of launching a brand while parenting, and why nurturing your own well-being is just as essential as the care you provide to others.

1. All About Tika Sumpter

Kindred Bravely (KB): You’ve worn so many hats across your career—actor, producer, entrepreneur, mom. How have those roles shaped your perspective as the founder of Yummy Tummy?

Tika Sumpter (TS): They’ve created grit in me. Nothing worth having comes easy, and starting a company is no exception. You have to believe in what you’re selling and the soul behind it. Acting and producing have always been entrepreneurial in their own way. Motherhood, though, has taught me flexibility and patience; raising a human will not only humble you but reshape your perspectives in every way. Yummy Tummy feels like birthing another baby.

KB: How has your identity evolved as you’ve moved through these different spaces—and what has stayed constant?

TS: What’s constant is my fortitude. But my identity has expanded, I’m not just Tika the actor anymore. I’m a mom, business owner, producer, author, and creator. I’m holding so much more than just myself, and I’ve proven to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to.

KB: You launched Adventures of Curiosity Cove, a podcast inspired by your daughter. How do storytelling and curiosity inform the way you show up as a founder and mom?

TS: You always have to be curious as a founder and as a mom. Feedback is everything, and I rely on the experts on my team. If I don’t know something, I’m honest about it. When hiccups happen, and they do, I’ve learned to be patient. Motherhood has humbled me. It’s taught me to ask questions, sometimes stay quiet and listen, and to stay flexible in my thinking. Those lessons have made me a better human, a better founder, and a better storyteller.

2. All About Yummy Tummy 

KB: What inspired you to create Yummy Tummy, and what made this the right moment in your journey?

TS: Women, mothers, and families have always held a soft spot in my heart. I wanted my company to make moms’ lives simpler, not harder. Motherhood is already full of decisions, and I wanted products moms could trust without overthinking. This felt like the right moment because I was ready to share something born from my own experiences and my love for this community.

KB: Can you share how your experience with preeclampsia and postpartum shaped both the products and purpose behind Yummy Tummy?

TS: Those moments were hard, and they taught me how vital it is for moms to care for themselves. With preeclampsia and postpartum, I felt like I was there but also in a fog, and suddenly, I had this beautiful little human who needed me. I had a fantastic family to help, but I still dove straight into caring for my cub. I was literally like a mama bear, wanting to be ever-present with my baby. The downside was that I neglected myself, both mentally and physically.

I didn’t want to just mask the tough parts. I wanted to create products that actually nourish and heal, and remind moms that their bodies deserve the same love they give everyone else. Too often, we leave ourselves behind. Yummy Tummy isn’t about a frivolous ritual; it’s a necessity. Your skin is the largest organ in your body; it needs care. And it’s designed to work not only for moms, but for babies and really anyone with skin.

KB: In building a brand for moms and families, what did you feel was missing from the skincare space—and how did you want to fill that gap?

TS: I felt there wasn’t enough that was both simple and safe, that could multitask while still feeling like affordable luxury. Skincare for moms often feels either overly clinical or overly indulgent, or full of ingredients I don’t want anywhere near my family, like mineral oils, paraffins, and parabens. There was no in-between. Yummy Tummy is about everyday care, clean, multi-use products that work for moms and babies without the overwhelm. And we never, ever use mineral oils, paraffins, or parabens.

3. Partnering with Kindred Bravely

KB: What made Kindred Bravely feel like the right partner to help introduce Yummy Tummy to more moms?

TS: Kindred’s mission is rooted in supporting moms, and that’s exactly what Yummy Tummy is about. They’ve built incredible trust with their community, and that’s something I value deeply. It just felt like a natural and lovely fit.

KB: What do you hope Kindred Bravely’s community feels when they discover Yummy Tummy?

TS: I hope they feel cared for. I hope they can exhale, knowing these products are safe, thoughtful, and created with them in mind.

KB: How do you see this partnership helping change the way moms experience self-care?

TS: It’s about making care feel doable, not like another task on a checklist. Together, we want to normalize moms saying, I deserve this moment too. And if that moment also helps with babies, dry skin, or sore nipples, even better.

4. “Doing It All”

KB: What part of building Yummy Tummy has been the most unexpected—good or hard?

TS: The joy has been seeing people connect with the products. The grind has been learning manufacturing, logistics, and delays. I'm in a whole new lane. You try to dot every “i” and cross every “t,” but something always comes up. I’m grateful for the encouragement and patience moms have shown, and for the excitement.

KB: How has motherhood changed the way you lead, especially when things get overwhelming?

TS: Motherhood has made me a patient leader. I want my team to work excellently, but I also care that they live full lives outside of work. I try to understand when things go awry, especially if it’s not my lane. Getting frustrated every moment doesn’t move the needle. Those emotions don’t solve problems; patience and perspective do.

KB: With everything on your plate, what does real self-care look like for you right now?

TS: It’s the small things: drinking enough water, reading, quiet time with God in the morning, moving my body, taking a walk, and using products that make me feel good in my own skin. I’ve fallen in love with movement; my brain works so much better when I move.

5. Looking Ahead

KB: Beyond skincare, what do you hope Yummy Tummy communicates to moms about their journey?

TS: That you’re still you. Motherhood is beautiful and transformative, but it doesn’t erase who you are. Sometimes we make it our entire identity and then wonder where we went. It can be both. I hope Yummy Tummy helps moms feel whole and themselves at every stage.

KB: What excites you most about this next chapter—both professionally and personally?

TS: Professionally, I’m excited to keep building Yummy Tummy and expanding the product line, while also bringing more stories to life through film, TV, and books. Personally, it’s about watching my daughter grow, being present, and finding joy in the mundane and in the highlights every day.

KB: Where do you dream of taking Yummy Tummy next?

TS: I dream of Yummy Tummy becoming a trusted household name, not just skincare, but a symbol of comfort, support, and joy for moms and families everywhere.

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At Kindred Bravely, we’re committed to supporting moms through every stage of motherhood. That’s why we’re so excited to have Tika’s Yummy Tummy line on our site. Thoughtfully crafted, clean, and deeply rooted in the real experiences of motherhood, Yummy Tummy is a beautiful reflection of what happens when moms care for themselves with the same intention they care for others.