We were lucky to catch up with Allyshia Gupta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Allyshia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

“Lets teach our daughters to worry less about fitting into glass slippers and more about shattering glass ceilings”.

This was the quote Miss California USA 2020, Allyshia Gupta, walked across the Miss USA to. As the longest reigning Miss California USA in history, Allyshia AKA “Lee”, dedicated her time to advocate for female empowerment and entrepreneurship. Growing up, Allyshia was raised by her single immigrant mother who struggled financially when she was younger. “There were times I remember my mother not having enough money to feed us,” Allyshia recalls. Today, her mother is a successful business owner and entrepreneur who has made a reputation all on her own. “With a single mother who was raising two young girls, it was always a very female driven environment in our home.. Now, both my sister and I share invaluable business skills because of our mothers life lessons. We are cognizant of the simple fact that we would not be the confident, successful women in business we are today if it wasn’t for our mom. Sadly, not every young girl grows up with that same remodel in their lives which is why this platform is so important. Lee is especially passionate about empowering women as she believes by creating more female leaders we are one step closer to achieving gender equality within this lifetime.

At only 18 years old, Allyshia sold her first business to a major chain retailer in the USA for a profit. With the profit from her first taste of success, she helped pay her way through Business school and graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. She went on to study her Masters at New York School for Interior Design, where she met her now business partner, Taylor Lipman. Together, they have just launched her next female owned and operate Interior Design Business, Lee Taylor Design Studio, based in NYC.

“I remember telling the young girls I mentored as Miss California USA, to be the CEO their parents always wanted them to marry,” laughs Gupta. “I just hope that I am continuing to inspire women to take the risk, sis!”

Since launching earlier this year, Allyshia has worked on projects around the USA and accumulated a client list that includes celebrity profiles and projects. When asked her secret to success across a diverse business portfolio, Gupta responded, “The crucial ingredient is really simple and something that usually surprises people to hear. It starts by simply getting up and doing something. It’s as simple as that. Anyone can have a million dollar ideas but only a few that will decide to get up and do something them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. but today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. You will never find reward without risk”.

Women account for less than 30% of all senior leadership and business roles. Why is this? Certainly not because men have better ideas we all know that! A new study sheds light on gender differences in risk-taking behavior. The research reveals women are more averse to risk than men due to heightened sensitivity to potential losses. Conversely, men, exhibiting greater optimism, are more willing to engage in risk-taking. Early child development looks very different for young boys than it does for young girls. While boys are taught to take risks, girls are encouraged to be polite and empathetic. This is where the idea of teaching our girls about glass ceilings rather than glass slippers is derived from.

Therefore, as women, we need to take it upon ourselves to learn how to take a risk! Like everything practice makes perfect so continue to push yourself to a place of discomfort because growth occurs at the edge of your comfort zone!

Allyshia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Allyshia aka Lee. I am 28 years old and live in LA and NYC. I own Lee Taylor Design Studio LLC which is a full service interior design firm based out of Manhattan. I got into design when I was fresh out of Business School. I worked for ABC network designing digital advertising and media for big shows like the Bachelor, Greys Anatomy, Modern Family, and so on. After working in the media industry, I decided to go back to school to get my Masters Degree in Interior Design and Architecture. That’s where I met my now business partner, Taylor. Hence, Lee Taylor. We solve the needs for functionality and aesthetics in all spaces ranging from homes to commercial properties. I am most proud of the fact I am a female entrepreneur and business owner. Female empowerment is a cause I have advocated for from a young age. I want people to be inspired by my story, my success, and my designs.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

To apologize! Women are taught this lesson and it is so hard to unlearn. You really have to practice this in both your personal and professional life because one cannot achieve respect without applying an unapologetic approach in both departments.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.

Contact Info:

• Website: leetaylordesignstudio.com
• Instagram: @allyshiagupta @leetaylordesignstudio
• Linkedin: @leetaylordesignstudio

Image Credits
Grant Foto