She started in her studio apartment in New York City. She now resides in a house on the beach in Southern California. Ali Brown’s transformation did not happen overnight. It began when she quit her job. Her agenda became a focus in online marketing and learning the right information to teach other individuals how to have a business and market themselves.
Today, Ali Brown is constantly helping women entrepreneurs. She explains, “Women entrepreneurs will drive the new economy.” Ali Brown has an answer for the future and has offered it to anyone interested in pursuing the vast amount of opportunities. So, if you’re a woman and you are looking for a change in your life, Ali Brown is the person to talk to. Either Brown or her team will have an answer for you. In this motivational interview with Ali Brown she explains her story, how she made it through her struggle, the message she is sending to women, and some priceless advice. And if you want to know what an international woman entrepreneur is doing at 10am on a normal day, you will soon find out.
Can you give a brief background about yourself and Ali International?
In a nutshell, Ali International is devoted to helping women achieve financial freedom through lifestyle entrepreneurship.
My company currently comprises four brands: Ali Magazine, the Millionaire Protégé Club, Ali Boutique and Shine. Ali Magazine is my quarterly publication that nourishes the mind, body and soul of female entrepreneurs. The Millionaire Protégé Club is my members-only club and coaching program for entrepreneurs who want to accomplish more in business and life. Ali Boutique is my collection of chic must-haves for working women from designer flip cameras to lavish jewelry and hot new looks. And Shine is my annual live conference for entrepreneurs that delivers the very best in business and success strategies from myself and guests live in an inspiring and motivating environment.
I run the business from my house at the beach in Southern California along with my team of women – many whom are moms — who all work from their homes as well. We love that!
I’m really excited that Ali International was named one of the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies in the nation for 2009! This is a dream come true and a far cry from where I started 10 years ago back in New York.
It began when you quit your job and took the risk of starting your own business. Was this desire lingering inside of you for some time?
Absolutely. I never felt like I completely fit in at any of the jobs I had in my 20s. I always wanted to have a creative voice within those companies but that’s not what they wanted. They wanted someone who could do everything from getting coffee to getting new clients – which I did! Having all of those skills is what made me think ‘hey, I could do this on my own!’
I quit my last job 10 years ago and went off on my own as a marketing communications writer in New York City. It was surely a struggle for the first few years because I didn’t know how to run a business, let alone grow one, or how to market myself. I was learning more about computers and email and started sending out a weekly email giving marketing communications tips (my “ezine”). This was the beginning of my interest in online marketing – it was easy to do, and practically free. As my email list grew, my business grew, and I shared what I’d learned in a simple ebook called “Boost Business With Your Own Ezine.” I began selling it online and from there I was hooked – I wanted to learn more about marketing and business and teach it to others!
Furthermore, do you believe entrepreneurs are born or made?
I think they can be both. But first, not everybody is an entrepreneur. But if you are – you’ll know within your first few years in the working world. Entrepreneurs have big visions and a ton of creativity. When you’re working for someone else’s dollar, those big ideas can get squelched. So one of the first signs that you’re an entrepreneur is an overwhelming feeling of frustration! But once you realize that you want something more for yourself, the real journey begins. You have to develop a lot of skills to start and grow a successful business, but more importantly, you have to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
You struggled during your start up phase. What helped you break through and keep pushing?
I did struggle, in large part, because I was trying to do everything on my own. I didn’t have a mentor; I was doing everything in my business from getting clients to licking stamps to bookkeeping, and I didn’t have friends who understood what I was trying to do. I found my way through trial and error but even in the most challenging moments I pushed on. It was instinctive – I just knew that this was the right path for me. But if I could go back in time, I would immediately surround myself with other entrepreneurs and would hire a part-time assistant right away. I would have also found a mentor. I’m so passionate about mentoring that today my biggest joy is mentoring others in growing their own businesses as part of my Millionaire Protégé Club.
When you first started, did you ever imagine you would grow to the level you are at today?
Not at all. My big vision at first was to simply afford my measly studio apartment rent in New York! I was driven by the idea of personal success and freedom, but it took me a while to realize that the kind of lifestyle I enjoy today is attainable if you work smart enough. I found for myself – and for many of my students – that your big vision will reveal itself after you first step up and be courageous with your life.
What is it about your teachings that stand out from the others available?
There seem to be people who teach about business and finance who make it pretty boring. Then there are personal development and spiritual teachers who focus on all the “woo woo” stuff. Nobody else I know combines both – the inspiration and fun with solid business tools that can be implemented right away.
How has expanding your business with a magazine, boutique, and the Shine conference helped you grow? What inspired you to add these to your resume?
A year and a half ago, I reached a point where I wanted to reach out to women on a larger scale. I knew instinctively that it was time to take my business to the next level, and I decided it no longer served me or my students to play small. I had to get over the “who do you think you are?” thoughts and step into what I know I’m here to do in a big way. By making those big ideas happen, I’ve not only grown as an entrepreneur, but personally as well. It takes a lot of courage as it’s not always easy, but it’s been an amazing journey so far.
What message(s) are you hoping to send to women? You can create the life you want through entrepreneurship. Most women will say that they have a dream or idea about starting a business. Maybe they’ve acted on that idea and want to know what the next step is – or maybe they don’t take their business ideas seriously because they do not believe they can overcome the obstacles and learning curve that all new entrepreneurs face. If you take your business seriously, learn everything you can about your industry and apply the methods that I teach, you can create the life you want. Owning a business is not easy and it’s not for everyone. But if you commit yourself to it, the rewards are wonderful, from financial freedom to creative fulfillment. I’m told my personal story is a great example and I continue to practice what I teach.
What are your goals for both yourself and Ali International?
My goal is and has always been to empower women through starting and growing their own businesses. I want to continue to provide guidance for these more experienced entrepreneurs while reaching out to women who may not have seriously considered entrepreneurship as a lifestyle. That includes underprivileged girls and women as well as women in the workforce who would like more freedom and flexibility in their lives.
Take us through an average day in the life of Ali Brown (Time you wake up, what you eat, errands, phone calls, etc.).
My days can vary greatly but here’s a good summary of an average day:
6:30 a.m. wake up, have toast with almond butter and a cup of coffee, get organized for the day
7:30 a.m. take a beach walk or work out with trainer (she comes to house twice a week and we do a lot of balance work and strength training using light weights and bands, and a lot of stretching too)
9:00 a.m. write promotions and marketing copy
10:00 a.m. – Noon: coaching calls with my Diamond members of the Millionaire Protégé Club
Noon – 1pm Lunch from Freshology gourmet meal delivery
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm phone appointments with team members
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm phone appointments with joint venture partners
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm review Ali Magazine spreads
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm prepare content for upcoming seminar
5:00 pm power nap/meditation/glass of wine J
6:00 pm casual dinner with fiancé or friend, or occasionally a charity event in Hollywood or Beverly Hills
8:00 pm wind down for evening – reading, Jacuzzi, journaling etc.
10:00 pm latest – in bed! I require a lot of sleep. 8-10 hours a night. Entrepreneurs operate at a higher level than most and we need sleep to refuel and refresh.
You were quoted saying, “Entrepreneurs will drive the new economy.” Can you elaborate on that?
I should amend that to even say women entrepreneurs will drive the new economy! Women start businesses at more than twice the average rate in the nation, and in many parts of the country, small businesses are providing jobs where corporations cannot or will not. Entrepreneur.com published a great article recently called Too Small to Fail about how important small businesses are to their communities, and how small businesses are often the first to donate time, money and services to local organizations. The Kauffman Foundation also points out that as the ranks of entrepreneurs grow, so will the need for products and services for entrepreneurs. This positive forecast combined with the low-cost of marketing and selling on the Internet makes now an ideal time for entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses.
What advice do you have for an aspiring entrepreneur?
Do not be afraid to ask for help! I still have and will always have mentors, and I believe that every entrepreneur needs one. You can turn your hobby into a six-figure or even a seven-figure business but I will tell you from experience, it is nearly impossible to do it on your own. First, you must find out everything you can about your industry. Then, I strongly recommend seeking out someone with experience early on, so that person can help you to create a viable business plan. That voice of experience could come from a mentor, coach, mastermind group or all three. Before you know it, you’ll be hiring your own team!
If you’re short on funds (and who isn’t when they start a business usually), seek affordable information from those who know their stuff. Because most entrepreneurs are tight on cash when they begin their ventures I created my Silver tier of the Millionaire Protégé Club which delivers great calls with me on success topics at only $9.97 a month.
Anything else you would like to add?
Keep the faith – success can be yours with the right information, inspiration, and dedication! And I hope you all reading this will come learn more at my website!
Learn more about Ali’s personal story and her company Ali International at www.alibrown.com.
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