The Best Of Both Worlds: Alexandria Alli On Balancing Life As A Boss Mompreneur, CEO, and Wife

Written by: Asia Shamir Ferguson

In today’s modern age, it’s not too often that a black woman is seen not only successful in marriage but in business too. Today’s take on the “modern woman” says you are either or. Alexandria Alli says you can be a successful entrepreneur while being a loving wife and mother at home. The secret to her success, embracing the juggle and giving yourself the grace to take a break.

 Alex started a career in fashion design long before she was introduced to the new life of motherhood. Alex’s mother, Adeola Yununsa owned her design studio and Alex recalls being there as a child “I thought I worked there growing up.” From a very young age, Alex was introduced to design and a world she would soon conquer. When she got married in 2009, it was effortless for her to blend the two worlds.

Many people believe it’s impossible to do both successfully and believe the two must be separated. Trying to live two different worlds, unfortunately, causes an incursion. Alex’s remedy for this was the opposite, blending these worlds: her love for fashion and love for her husband and children. This exclusive interview gives an authentic look on her juggle and advice for all the rising mompreneurs.

If you had to give any advice to both single and married Mompreneurs, what would it be?

I think it would be the same for both. Because with both, it comes with a set of challenges you still have to overcome. But I would say #1 is to find ways to really take care of yourself and of course all of the things you have to do, but you have to come first. If you're not healthy or not happy, entrepreneurship and motherhood is not going to succeed.

 What does taking care of yourself as a mompreneur look like?

That includes (both in business and at home) getting help and delegating things to help you go further rather than faster. Also, it’s important to include your family in your journey so that all of you feel like you are a part of it and you're growing something together.

Do you feel like the aspect of including your family in your journey comes from your Nigeran culture and how you were raised?

Oh yea! Yeah, I feel like it's bred into me from my mom and also from my Nigeran culture. Like we’re a very “together” type of people. Even when I was being raised in Nigeria, it wasn’t just my mom raising me. It was also the neighbor down the street. If they saw you doing something you weren’t supposed to do, they would take you back to your house haha. It was like a village. So yeah, I think that’s where a lot of that comes from, my background living in Nigeria.

When you are at home, do you block out specific time just for your kids and your husband? Is it like a thing where you can say “Work is at work. I’m at home now”? Or do you still try to mix family time and work time at home to stay productive? 

Oh, that’s so tough. I wish I could just say work is at work BUT I do try to block off time just for my kids and also just for my husband. So, usually, when I get home I block off some time. But I don’t think it's about the length of time. I think it’s the quality of time when I’m with them my phone and computer are not with me. And then maybe when things have settled down or they go to bed, I’ll pick up my phone and computer again and respond to emails. So, I think it’s finding that balance and seeing what works for everybody. For example, during that time when they're back from school, I leave work to be there for them to pick them up and take them to practice to be there to do the things they wanna do. That’s one of the benefits of owning your own business, but I also understand that there’s stuff I need to do later. So just making sure that the time I do spend with them is quality time.

The number one token to take from this interview is taking care of yourself first. Because if you’re not healthy there’s no way you can take care of your home and your business. Including your family into your business makes everyone feel involved in the journey and the success. Going 13 years strong, Alex owes her success to the support of her mother, husband, and children.