Table for Two with Kira Mackenzie Jackson

Table for Two is where I chat with tastemakers who inspire me with their stylish travels and distinctive perspectives. Kira has built a career at the rare intersection of creative instinct and commercial clarity — serving as a Chief Brand Officer, consumer investor, and advisor, while writing for Inc. and Marie Claire and penning the Substack Material Interest.

Her travels have taken her from Morocco and the Cotswolds to the African bush on a safari honeymoon she'd repeat every year without hesitation. Quietly building what comes next, she brings the same sharp intentionality to her life as she does to the brands she champions.

In our conversation, we chat about what separates brands with lasting power from those with fleeting relevance, her favorite corners of LA, the travels that have stayed with her, and how she's thoughtfully redefining her approach to style.

Thank you for being here. Can you give us a quick introduction to yourself?

Thanks for having me! I’m a Chief Brand Officer, consumer investor, and advisor. I write for Inc. and Marie Claire, and pen the industry Substack Material Interest. I’m also a new-ish mom - I have a 2-year-old daughter and an 8-month-old son.

You’ve operated across brand, investment, and advisory—what throughline has guided your decisions, even as the roles themselves evolved?

A deep obsession with the consumer experience. I’ve always been fascinated by what compels someone to purchase one product over another, and as the more traditional marketing funnel has crumbled in our modern world, I’ve spent the last decade or so obsessing over how people discover, engage with, trial, and evangelize brands.

When you step into a brand today, what are the first signals you look for to understand if it has real longevity versus momentary relevance?

Retention is the ultimate indicator. Regardless of your cost to acquire a customer, the frequency with which an existing consumer spends with you is directly correlated to the brand’s sustained growth. If your product isn’t consumable or doesn’t command a super frequent repurchase rate, I’d say the strength of your community. How frequently they engage with the brand; their propensity to champion you - their passion will sustain your momentum.

You’ve built a perspective that sits between creative instinct and commercial clarity—how do you maintain that balance when the industry tends to favor one over the other?

I just treat it as the ultimate superpower, because I believe it is. Creative and brand can’t afford to be isolated from how the consumer receives it. And similarly, commercial prowess will feel exactly that - commercial - if it’s not rooted in a reason for being, and grounded in an appealing brand world.

In a recent piece, you touched on the gap between having a good product and building something people genuinely care about. What do you think most brands still misunderstand about consumer connection today?

That it’s one or the other. Or that nailing one, will lead to the other. There are very few brands, in my opinion, that have both a category-defining product and a thoughtful, immersive brand world. A great product is table stakes, but if it means nothing to the consumer beyond its function, it’s easy for them to swap in an alternative that may perform even better. And vice versa - a beautiful brand world is compelling and serves as a social signaller, but if the product can be beat, what forces the customer to come back?

Is there anything you can share about what’s next for you?

I wish. Working in stealth is really forcing me to find new personality traits outside of just my career lol.

What is the most memorable hotel you’ve stayed at—and what specifically made it stay with you?

Amanjena, the Aman in Morocco, was magical. The service was fabulous, the food was incredible, and it was nearly empty (which admittedly felt a tiny bit eerie at times). It was the most stunning and distinct property I’ve ever seen - oh and the lighting in the bathrooms was unmatched. I know that’s niche, but feels important to mention.

A close second is Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds - we went with the kids and they do a beautiful job of balancing adult-only spaces with family-friendly activities. I will never forget my daughter driving around the property in her tiny mini land rover.

I loved your safari honeymoon—how did the stays (Singita and Simbavati Hilltop Lodge) shape the experience, and what moments from the trip stayed with you most?

I would genuinely go on safari every single year - I think it’s the only vacation format I would never tire of. There’s something so magical about the foggy early mornings, so fantastical about sipping champagne while standing in the heart of the wilderness, and so inspiring about the community you engage with - there’s a very specific type of person who seeks experiences like that out.

Is there a destination or hotel you haven’t experienced yet that feels inevitable for you?

In a similar vein to your last question, I am dying to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. I do want to take my kids though, so it will be a couple of years until they’re old enough, however I’d like to think it’s inevitable. The Singita property there is calling my name.

You’re based in LA — what are your favorite spots? A coffee shop, a date night restaurant, drinks with girlfriends, a workout, all of it.

Ooh ok:

• Coffee/Matcha: Handles on Sunset would be my favorite coffee shop if there was parking more readily available. Closer to me, I love Yala in Studio City. Maru is great too, but the one in BH doesn’t do matcha (I’m more of a coffee girl, so that doesn’t bother me personally, just flagging).

• Date night: Augustine Wine Bar is fabulous and chill. I’d say it’s our go-to. Sushi Note does this amazing omakase with sommelier-curated wine pairings (I prefer the Studio City location, but they also have a spot hidden on Rodeo). We also love Yume Sushi, and jazz nights at Vibrato.

• GNO: Sunset Tower, Chateau Marmont, Galerie, RVR… the usual suspects.

• Workouts: I have not been on my workout game for some time aside from Pilates by Bryony app workouts at home - that said, when I do go, I love Forma at the Beverly Glen Center.

How has your relationship to getting dressed evolved as your career and perspective have grown?

I’d say the biggest shift has actually happened quite recently. I don’t know what it was, but after I knew I was done having babies (and I decided to go full throttle into building in stealth), I felt lost in my own closet. So I actually just sold my entire wardrobe, and am working with an amazing stylist, @zoewickstewart, to essentially rebuild my closet from the ground up. She’s helping me curate a collection of pieces that all work interchangeably, but also incorporate the elements of style I want to communicate. Think architectural, chic, comfortable. I feel like my career is just about to pop off (so many insane things in the works!!), and I didn’t want to feel like my closet was playing catch-up.

What pieces of jewelry do you find yourself wearing every day, and which brands are you returning to most right now?

I designed this gorgeous puddle pendant in honor of my son’s birth with my jeweler C Heinrich (they also did the pear pendant I had made to commemorate my daughter’s birth); I’m stacking the two on a very thin, simple omega chain these days, and that’s about it. I feel like I was really into jewelry for a while there - and I still am - but in a more minimal way. I’m saving so many amazing pieces now for rotation versus layering everything all at once. That said, I never take off my simple diamond studs. I would quite literally feel naked without them.

What’s currently in your cart?

A bottle of vintage wine my husband loves (for father’s day). I’m bidding on it in auction so cross your fingers for me!

Go-to drink order (and where you’re ordering it)?

A glass of chilled beaujolais or gamay through summer. Ordered anywhere. For something very specific… an ice-y dirty gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives from Sunset Tower. With a side of fries. duh.

City, country, or coast?

City now, country later.

Vintage or new?

Primarily new. But the occasional vintage piece is key.

You’ve said you’re a great gift giver—what’s a go-to you always feel confident about?

A chic chess set or an investment candle. Something like Not Your Standard or Madame Grey’s zodiac line.