We were lucky to catch up with Alyssa Black recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alyssa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The biggest risk I ever took was the bravest gift I gave myself—I took a risk on me. For so long, I was living in the shadow of who I truly am, caught in the busy, the noise, the “shoulds,” never fully stepping into my own light.
But one day, I decided to be like a seed—buried, unsure, but ready to break through the soil. I chose to nurture myself with healing, kindness, and fierce love—mind, body, and soul—knowing that growth often feels uncomfortable before it blooms.
It meant unraveling old stories, shedding fear, and rewriting my own narrative with courage and grace. It was messy and magical all at once. That risk—choosing myself—was the first ripple in a wave of transformation.
Now, I live intentionally, curating not only my style but my life, and extending that ripple outward through thoughtful gifts and acts of kindness. Because when you take a risk on yourself, you light the way for others to do the same.
Taking that risk wasn’t just a choice—it was the start of a beautiful revolution. And I’m just getting started.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
About Me & AB Curated
Hey, I’m [Alyssa], the heart behind AB Curated—where personal style meets thoughtful gifting with intention and soul. My journey into this world started because I wanted more than just to “look good” or “give gifts.” I wanted to celebrate women in every season of life—the messy, the magical, the milestones big and small.
From styling brides walking down the aisle, to curating gifts that make baby showers unforgettable, to helping women step confidently into the spotlight for career milestones—I solve a simple but powerful problem: making meaningful style and gifting feel personal, effortless, and full of heart.
I get it—expressing who you are and honoring your moments can feel overwhelming or generic. That’s where I come in. Every outfit, every gift, is carefully crafted to reflect you—your story, your spirit, your unique vibe.
What sets me apart? It’s me. Forty years of living, learning, and showing up as my truest self. No one else has my journey, my perspective, my passion—and I pour all of it into every curated moment.
What I’m most proud of? I’m most proud of me—the girl who once wanted the world to believe in her, but who learned the greatest power comes from believing in herself. That’s the magic behind AB Curated—empowering women to feel seen, celebrated, and loved through every chapter of their lives.
From Ringling Bros. to Super Bowls, Final Fours—and the best role of all: MOM. YESYOUCAN.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the biggest tests of my resilience came when I realized I wasn’t living my full potential—not just professionally, but in my whole life. I was juggling everything, trying to prove I could do it all perfectly—career, family, personal growth—but inside, I felt stretched thin and disconnected from myself.
It took a deep, honest look in the mirror to admit that if I kept going on autopilot, I’d lose the magic I wanted to bring to others. So, I took the biggest risk: I invested in me. I started healing—mind, body, and soul—and made the hard choices to prioritize my well-being, even when it felt vulnerable or scary.
That decision wasn’t easy. It meant saying no to things that didn’t serve me, asking for help, and sometimes stepping away from the “perfect” image I thought I needed to uphold. But through that process, I found strength I didn’t know I had and rediscovered the joy and purpose that now fuels AB Curated.
This journey taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about standing back up and showing up as your fullest, most authentic self. And that’s the message I bring to every woman I work with you can face the hard stuff, believe in yourself, and create the life—and style—that truly reflects who you are. BOTH can exist <3
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
We thought we had it all figured out—our first- choice residency, the place where we would start our new life together. But life had other plans. Instead, we ended up with our third choice… in Columbus, Ohio. Just four days married, my husband off celebrating the end of med school with his friends, and me—alone, wrapped in the quiet of our bedroom—climbing back into bed and sobbing. Ohio? I barely knew where it was. It wasn’t on my map, my plan, or my dream. It felt like the ground beneath me shifted and everything I believed in wobbled.
In that moment, I had two choices: stay under those covers and let fear win, or pull myself up, spread my wings, and curate a new path—one full of unknowns but bursting with possibility. It wasn’t easy. It took time, tears, and deep soul work. But that pivot taught me how to show up for myself in the hardest moments, how to find grace in the unexpected, and how to trust that life’s detours can lead to the most beautiful destinations.
That’s the heart of AB Curated—taking life’s surprises and turning them into something meaningful, intentional, and undeniably yours. Because sometimes, when the plan falls away, that’s when the real magic begins.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theabcurated.com
- Instagram: ab_abcurated
