We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amira Batista a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amira, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

That’s a great question and honestly, I feel like it really depends on who you ask because everyone sees success differently. For a long time, I thought success was all about making tons of money, which meant living the high life and traveling wherever I wanted. I definitely believe there’s still some truth to that for me, but things changed a lot when I became a mom.

Now, success means being able to spend quality time with my family and having the freedom to organize my day however I see fit. And sure, you might be thinking, “But don’t you need money for that kind of freedom?” You’re right—you do! But the way I work towards that success has shifted. I’ve realized that it’s not about pulling crazy hours. Instead, it’s about being super organized, setting clear priorities, working smarter not harder, and really making the most of my time, which might mean not doing everything perfectly….

So, if I’m juggling family life and running a company, I have to stay on top of things. Every night, I jot down what I need to get done the next day. I’m at my best in the early morning, so I wake up before everyone else to get some uninterrupted work time. Then, when it’s naptime, I knock out the easier tasks that don’t need as much brainpower. This way, I manage to keep my work and family life balanced.

As far as not doing everything perfectly… I have mentioned before that “failing forward” is something I am trying to embrace. In my eyes, being successful means getting sh*t done! And when you have other things to do (like being with family!), it can’t always be perfect. I have always tended to get so stuck with things, trying to make them perfect – but the more I tried, the less I would get done. Sometimes things need to be perfect, but sometimes they just need to get crossed off the list! Being able to move forward and learn on the go is a huge component to success!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

AlignedPlay” is a toddler and preschool lifestyle brand that specializes in playhouses, swing sets and Montessori furniture. We are family owned, eco inspired and uniquely curated.

As my husband, Alex, and I watched our own children’s imaginations and creativity bloom through play, we knew we had to create something extraordinary. We wanted to create a store that curated our favorite spaces / tools / toys that inspired our kids to use their creativity and imagination so WE could have some quality time together or just enjoy a cup of coffee in peace (while they are still learning through play!).

We strive to make sure all products we carry are aligned with our core values.
Aligned with PLAY – because that’s what being a kid is all about.
Aligned with CREATIVITY – because every cardboard box can be a spaceship.
Aligned with IMAGINATION – because in their world, the floor really is lava.
Aligned with STYLE – because we love our kids, but we also love our homes!

We know that a lot of huge companies sell the playhouses, swing sets and Montessori toys that we sell, but if you call, Amira will always answer (sorry if the kids are yelling in the background!). That’s our difference. We want you to become our family.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

YES! I am happy to say that my side hustle turned into my full time career! I have to give credit where credit is due and say that I followed the Dropship Breakthru course, which has lead me to so much success. I have scaled my business by putting in the work and organizing my time – which has been a labor of love, but so worth it!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building real connections has been key to making a name for myself in the market. Whether it’s chatting with a customer about the swing set they’re putting together for their granddaughter, catching up with a social media influencer, or touching base with our suppliers, I really believe in getting to know everyone personally.

I’ve discovered that when you take the time to connect on a personal level, not just as a customer or a partner, but as real people, it lays down a solid foundation of trust. And this trust is vital—it’s what turns simple transactions into relationships and boosts your reputation way beyond just a business context.

By genuinely engaging with people and making them feel valued, they’re more likely to have a positive view of our brand. They talk about us, they keep coming back, and they bring their friends too. So really, when you connect authentically with people, you’re not just boosting your reputation—you’re building a community that stands behind what you do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alignedplay.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/alignedplay
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/alignedplay1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alignedplay

Image Credits
Amanda Trahan