Alexa Carlin is a nationally renowned speaker, founder of the Women Empower Expo and creator of BeAPublicSpeaker.com. In college, Alexa found herself in a coma with a 1% chance of living. This life-changing experience and the constant struggle she deals with from her autoimmune disease, inspired Alexa to share her story authentically to audiences all over the world. Alexa was recently featured on the cover of Meetings & Conventions Magazine as 1 of 15 “Young Millennial Go-Getters To Watch” and named one of the “Most Powerful Women In Fort Lauderdale” by Gold Coast’s Fort Lauderdale Daily. Alexa’s mission is to make a difference in at least one person’s life every single day. Read our interview with the lovely Alexa below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
My passion. Since I was little I wanted to be an entrepreneur and start a business that would make a positive difference in people’s lives. This is what fills me up, makes me happy, and gets me excited about each day.
What inspired me to start my current business, Women Empower Expo, are the stories I heard from meeting women at my speaking engagements and online through my social community. I saw a need for a larger platform to connect women who wanted to make a positive change in their own life and in the world. I wanted to be able to empower these women to act on that idea or feeling and I knew in order to do that, they needed the support from other like-minded women.
Tell us about your business.
The Women Empower Expo is a movement for women to connect and collaborate with people in their community to drive change in their own lives and in the world.
We host one-day events in select cities (2017 will be in Washington DC on May 27th and Fort Lauderdale October 7th) featuring world renown speakers, educational workshops, fitness and yoga classes, empowered networking sessions, and a 40,000 square foot marketplace of local and female-run businesses.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We’d like to offer you 15% off a ticket to attend one of our upcoming Women Empower Expo events!
Use code “LadyBoss” at either of the links below when registering for your ticket! (P.S. full price tickets are only $30 because we want this event to be as inclusive as possible for women!)
- To attend the event in WASHINGTON DC, on MAY 27th click here.
- To attend the event in FORT LAUDERDALE, on OCT. 7th click here.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Meetings & Conventions February 2017 Magazine Issue: Cover Story featured as 1 out of 15 “Top Millennial Go-Getters To Watch”.
- Gold Coast’s Fort Lauderdale Daily: Named as one of the “Most Powerful Women In Fort Lauderdale”.
Where is your business based?
Boca Raton, Florida.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I invested money into my business from my savings. Put a deposit on my first venue then used social media to start getting the word out!
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
SOCIAL MEDIA! Having a voice on social media has been the way I have been able to grow my business as a public speaker and Founder of Women Empower Expo exponentially with very limited funds.
It’s all about sharing your story, what makes you, you and why you do the things you do. The world is starving for authentic leaders. Being authentic online is what propelled me forward and helped me rise above the noise.
What has been your biggest challenges so far?
Funding. Like I mentioned, I started this business with my own savings so in the beginning I was doing almost everything by myself.
I just hit a big milestone in my business though that I’m very proud to share. I’ve hired my first part-time employee!
How did you overcome these challenges?
I hustled. I worked extremely hard. I had to sacrifice some of my social life and things that were distracting me from my work. Most importantly, I stayed focused on my vision knowing that if I put the work in now, I’ll be living my dreams sooner than I think! (and I am!)
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
TRUST. I trust the process and the journey. I literally walk around every day with this word tucked in my back pocket always turning to it whenever self-doubt creeps in or I’m struck with obstacles. I just say to myself, “Alexa, TRUST”.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I’m authentic. I share everything. I’m transparent and most importantly, I care about the work I’m doing and the people I’m serving. Many people in my industry are in it for the money, you don’t even know the founders to many of these big events/conventions. I don’t work under that model and I think that’s why I stand out in my industry from all of my competitors.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
I just attended a CHASE Women In Business luncheon featuring Mel Robbins as the speaker. She spoke on her 5 Second Rule which I thought was a great piece of advice for entrepreneurs to get sh*t done!
Her advice was this:
“The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.”
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Be yourself. Pursue your passion. Never give up. Oh yeah.. and ALWAYS TRUST yourself, the process, and the journey.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
VSCO app for my Instagram pictures!
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @AlexaRoseCarlin
Twitter @AlexaRoseCarlin
Facebook www.facebook.com/alexarosecarlin
Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/mygoodvibetribe
Website www.alexacarlin.com
Email Alexa@WomenEmpowerExpo.com
Hashtags #WomenEmpower #GoodVibeTribe #WEXdc #WEXftl #StandTall
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“GirlBoss” by Sophia Amoruso.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m learning how to delegate tasks and focus more on the growth of my business versus focusing on the little things.
It’s hard to delegate for me because I care so much about my business and all the little details that it takes a lot of trust in someone for me to be able to hand it off and know they are doing it right and aligned with our brand’s philosophy.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goal for the next few months is to make the Women Empower Expo DC the most successful and impactful women’s event to hit DC yet!
Measurable goals:
- Having 2,500 people in attendance
- Selling out of booth and sponsorship space