Airica Puckett and her family are household names in Livingston, TN.
From her work as a lifestyle influencer to the multiple, generational family businesses that line the streets, Airica’s impact (and that of both her family and her husband’s family) on the community is immense.
I sat down with Airica to discuss her career, success, and goals, but she quickly steered the conversation to beginnings.
“Livingston, Tennessee, is home. As the Tennessee song by Drew Holcomb says, ‘I was born here and raised here. And I’ll make my grave here—it’s home, Tennessee.’ I love our town! Multiple generations from both my husband’s and my families have lived here. My family has a third-generation business in Livingston—Best Bumper and Parts Service —which my grandfather started as a young adult. My dad, Tim Smith, purchased and ran the business for years, and my brother, Brandon Smith, is now the owner and Operator. In addition, my mother (Patty Smith) and grandmother (Ann Houser) own Airica’s Unique Boutique. My husband’s family also has a third-generation business in Livingston. Puckett’s Furniture was started by L.G. Puckett Jr., then purchased by L.G. Puckett III. It is now owned and operated by my brother-in-law, Wesley Puckett. We come from a long line of entrepreneurs, and this town has been so good to us.” Puckett added, “My husband and I always knew we would come back and raise our family here. We deeply appreciate the small-town values we were raised with, and we couldn’t imagine a better environment to raise our own children than Livingston. We both take great pride in Livingston Academy and treasure our high school experiences in this small town. My husband has lived and attended colleges in all three regions of the state—East, Middle, and West Tennessee—but he never doubted where he wanted to be once his schooling was complete. I would truly live anywhere he lived. As much as I cherish our town, I would follow my husband anywhere. I often tell him we could move back into our dental office apartment, and I would be just as content, as long as we have each other.”
“I decided a long time ago that if I’m not living an overbooked life, then I’m not truly living. I’m a creative at heart and always dreaming. If it’s the Lord’s will, I have so many dream projects in mind for my future. I remind my children often that we never have to completely know what we want to be. I’m 44 years old and still not sure what I’ll be when I grow up. Being a lifestyle influencer and podcaster is an absolute dream job. I wake up every day and do something I love. This job didn’t exist when I was in college choosing a career, and it’s amazing to think about what future jobs will look like. People have so many new possibilities each year in our great country. What I do know is that my soul is with the Lord, and my legacy is my family. I hope to create a home filled with warmth—an environment that causes my children to recall wonderful memories throughout their lives. If I can create even half the cherished memories I had with my grandparents and parents for my children, then my job has been successful.”
Puckett elaborated, “APstyle truly is a community. I post daily on at least five platforms and am currently active on all eight of these: Instagram, TikTok, LTK, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, ShopMy, and Spotify. I try to maintain a regular weekly work schedule: two days for content shooting, two days for editing and contracts, and one day in the studio filming my podcast. Marcus Hill, my podcast producer for Airica on Air, helps me tremendously. I also have a contract employee, Dawson Ray, who assists with special content shoots, setups, and digital graphics. My wonderful assistant, Kendra Hill, keeps me on track with contract deadlines and works daily with LTK (LikeToKnowIt) for those who shop my APstyle Shoppe. She releases my weekly ‘Top Five Best Sellers’ and seasonal collages. My family also helps me so much—especially when it comes to juggling double bookings, school pick-ups, kids’ haircuts, and practices. I truly have the best village and the best help! I’m endlessly grateful for the dedicated supporters of APstyle. I love working with both small businesses and large brands—creating for high-volume and limited-quantity products, and styling both designed and thrifted pieces daily.”
Anyone who knows Airica understands that her life is centered around not only creativity but also the love she has for family. Nowhere is this bond more evident than with her husband, dentist, Dr. L.G. Puckett IV.
“My third-grade teacher was Mrs. June Puckett, and I used to come home from school and pretend to be her. I would walk, talk, and act just like Mrs. Puckett. I looked up to her so much. Who knew that just eleven years later, I would become Mrs. Puckett myself? I might add—she’s just as wonderful a mother-in-law as she was a teacher! In eighth grade, my now-husband called me one Sunday evening—back when we only had landline phones! He was a sophomore at the time and said he’d heard I didn’t have a boyfriend. Then he asked if I would be his girlfriend. I told him I’d think about it and give him my answer at the football game. Of course, I already knew my answer, but I wanted to play a little hard to get. That Thursday night—October 6, 1994—I told him yes. The rest is history,” she gushed. “I’ve been with him ever since. People have asked over the years if I feel like I missed out on “the dating life,” and I quickly reply, “I’m still living it!” I’m forever thankful that God brought him into my life so early, giving us even more time together. I truly believe part of the reason our relationship has worked so well is because we’ve grown up together. We’ve always supported each other’s goals and dreams, and I still love dreaming with him today. I often tell him that if something were to happen to me, I’ve already lived a far greater life than I ever imagined or deserved—thanks to him.”
Beyond married life, running multiple businesses, and being an in-demand online presence, Airica is also a mom. On the road that led to her current family of five, Airica stated, “In our late thirties, my husband and I felt a strong desire to adopt a child. We prayed for God’s guidance and His will. After nearly two years of waiting and working with an agency, we finally received the call that a birth mother had chosen us. She was due within a couple of months, and we were overjoyed. When the call came that she was in labor, it was earlier than expected—and our family happened to be in Florida for a wedding where both my husband and I were part of the wedding party. Thankfully, everyone understood, and we immediately headed for the airport. Due to severe weather, we spent the night in the Denver airport, but finally arrived in Arizona—just in time to help deliver our third child, John Crewe Puckett. Adoption is so dear to our family. It has been one of the greatest blessings and gifts of our lives.”
As a mom, wife, and popular online presence, it would be easy for Airica to lose a sense of priority, especially when it comes to family. She uses her faith and some common-sense guidelines to recharge and avoid losing time with those she cherishes most.
She stated, “Juggling life can be chaotic and always requires boundaries, regardless of your profession—but especially as a content creator. I balance brand contracts, deadlines, content approvals, and daily posting schedules. I try to set specific ‘work hours’ so I can limit my phone time in the evenings when my family is home. Once dinner is finished, I usually plug my phone in the bedroom for the night. I’ll reply to direct messages for about 30 minutes in the evening, then put my phone away and out of sight.” Puckett continued, “It’s really important to me that I personally respond to people myself. My favorite part of this career is the relationships and connections I’ve made. From the very beginning, I’ve trained myself to be present in the moment. That’s something I value deeply. It takes discipline and restraint, but I don’t want my phone out during games, events, family dinners, or conversations. However, you’ll often find me digging through my purse to grab it and capture special memories. Time is truly a love language in our home. Family meals around the dinner table each evening—sharing the highs and lows of the day—are therapy for me. My husband and I have always committed to a monthly date night or getaway. We both need that reset and look forward to it, especially my husband, who is a dentist in our small town. He often sees emergency patients, so getting him out of town is the only real way for him to rest. As for my own time, I attend church services three times a week—on the Lord’s Day, both morning and evening, and for mid-week Bible study on Wednesday nights. I also teach a nursery Bible class during that mid-week service. No matter how tired I am, Bible study always fills my cup.”
To conclude our interview, Airica reflected on her journey and expressed gratitude for the community that helped shape who she is.
“I truly am the same person I have always been. I’ve always loved fashion. When I was in seventh grade—just 13 years old—my mother and grandmother opened a boutique in Livingston called Airica’s Unique Boutique on Main Street. They taught me so much and included me in every aspect of the business. I attended every market in Atlanta, helped select brands, styled the store, and worked there until we closed it when I was getting married. It was such a fun experience filled with memories that have forever shaped me. The older I get, the more I appreciate that opportunity. Their faith in me helped me gain confidence at a much younger age, and I’m so thankful for that.” She finished saying, “Being featured in the very first edition of Livingston Lifestyles is such an honor. I can think of so many others who are far more deserving, and I’m truly proud to have been asked. This town has always been so wonderful to me! I was taught from a young age to always remember where you come from and to give back to the roots that grew you. I hope that one day I can make a difference and help the community that has helped shape me. I am so proud to call Livingston, Tennessee, my home— and anyone who meets me can confirm that! I often describe my hometown as a “true Hallmark town,” and I’ll always stand by that. I’m determined to get Hallmark here to film one day and show the rest of the world what a gem this place truly is. Thank you for being so great, Hog-Eye!”
Editor’s Note:
Airica asked that the following message be shared with her children, L.G. (Green) V, Aubrianna Berkley, and John Crewe Puckett.
You will never have a cheerleader on your sidelines like your mom. I will always be here for you. Thank you for being here for me, and for letting me share small parts of your lives with others along the way. I am so proud of you —Greene, Anna Berkley, and John Crewe. I can’t wait to support you in each new phase of life and see what God has in store for each of you. I am completely confident that if you keep Him as your main priority and pray for His guidance, you will succeed at anything you set your mind to. Just remember what your dad always says: “Your legacy is not your career or your achievements in life—it’s your family.” Have good character, and do for those who can’t do for themselves.
