We recently connected with Dominique Alston and have shared our conversation below.
Dominique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success is a multifaceted journey that requires a blend of determination, resilience, and continuous growth. Firstly, setting clear and achievable goals serves as my compass, guiding my actions and providing a sense of purpose. Hard work and persistence are the cornerstones of my pursuit, knowing that progress often comes through consistent effort and overcoming obstacles. Alongside this, I place great importance on lifelong learning, constantly seeking opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge base. My grandmother always told me, “Be a sponge and soak up knowledge.”
Furthermore, resilience is paramount in the face of setbacks and challenges. I view failures as stepping stones toward success, embracing them as valuable lessons rather than roadblocks. Effective communication and collaboration are also vital aspects of my approach, recognizing the power of building meaningful relationships and leveraging collective expertise.
Self-confidence and belief fuel my endeavors, instilling in me the courage to take risks and push beyond my comfort zone. Yet, I remain grounded in integrity and ethics, understanding that trust and authenticity are fundamental in any endeavor. Balancing ambition with self-care is crucial to me, ensuring that I maintain my well-being and sustain long-term fulfillment along my journey.
Ultimately, success is not merely about reaching a destination but also about the growth, resilience, and integrity cultivated along the way. By embracing these principles, I strive to navigate my path toward success with purpose, passion, and integrity.
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?
I’ve been immersed in the entertainment industry since childhood, inspired by the multitasking prowess of the women in my family who balanced careers, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. Currently, audiences can catch me as Ajah in the movie “Born 2 Hustle,” available on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video, and as a principal dancer in the film “République,” crafted by talented students from the American Film Institute. One of my memorable roles was portraying Olivia in the play “Faith N’ Love” in 2022, depicting a romantic lawyer entangled in forbidden love—a character I deeply cherished.
Beyond the screen, my entrepreneurial journey began with Ihunaanya, a wellness community I founded in May 2016. Through adventurous activities like hiking and camping, Ihunaanya fosters emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. With over 50 nationwide events and ongoing Life and Mindfulness coaching through the Ihunaanya Life Course, I aim to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Complementing this coaching, “The Journey Journal,” available on Amazon, facilitates personal growth and reflection. In January 2024, I expanded Ihunaanya’s mission with the Eco Collection, promoting organic, consciously made clothing to elevate community vibrancy amidst societal challenges.
In October 2023, I launched the Alston Atelier, featuring the Billionaire Boss Babes Club clothing line tailored for ambitious women manifesting their dreams. This collection, encompassing clothing, tumblers, candles, tote bags, and journals, embodies comfort and empowerment for the go-getters. Additionally, my alter ego, Miss Butter Bean, sparked the creation of Miss Butter Bean’s World empire, offering children’s books and activity books like “Gentle, Gentle, Little Dragons” and “Black & White Make Gray” on Amazon. Drawing from over 15 years of childcare experience, I’m eagerly anticipating the growth of this venture, including a forthcoming show.
Fueling my creative spirit, my website DominiqueLeshayAlston.com hosts my blog and podcast, “Life, Lessons, and Luxury,” available on various platforms including Apple, Spotify, and Amazon. This platform serves as a testament to my pursuit of a luxurious life, documenting the lessons learned and experiences encountered along the way. As I continue to evolve professionally and personally, I’m committed to inspiring others to pursue their passions and embrace the journey towards fulfillment.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A pivotal moment in my career came with Ihunaanya, a passion project born from the loss of my brother, Justin, at the tender age of 24. I envisioned a business that would empower people to overcome their fears and embrace freedom. As the business grew, attracting a diverse clientele seeking solace, I found myself shouldering the weight of their relief. While gratifying, this responsibility became burdensome, leading to burnout by September 2019. Despite my longing for a break, guilt held me back until I finally relented after one last event in January 2020. However, fate intervened as the world plunged into a pandemic, providing me the pause I desperately needed.
During this hiatus, I realized the necessity of prioritizing my own well-being and reevaluating Ihunaanya’s direction. By 2021, I transitioned from burnout to a transformative pivot. No longer solely catering to others’ expectations, I focused on revitalizing the business with renewed purpose. This shift in mindset birthed the Ihunaanya Life Course, The Journey Journal, and the Ihunaanya Eco Collection, fulfilling both my entrepreneurial vision and the project’s original intent.
Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned the importance of allowing businesses to breathe, recognizing that breaks are essential for growth and recalibration. Just as individuals require time to assess what works and what doesn’t, businesses benefit from periods of reflection and adaptation. This experience underscores the value of self-care and strategic evolution in navigating the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
In my view, blending business and friendships is a practice fraught with challenges and risks. I maintain a distinct separation between my personal relationships and professional endeavors due to differing standards of intimacy and support. While friendships thrive on emotional connection, the business realm demands adherence to protocols, boundaries, and legalities, which can be compromised by emotional ties. My experiences have reinforced this belief, as I’ve encountered setbacks and breaches of trust when attempting to merge the two domains.
For instance, between 2022 and 2023, I collaborated with an acquaintance who failed to fulfill financial obligations, resulting in significant unpaid dues exceeding $2,000. Despite my prior assistance in securing substantial investments for their business, this individual’s failure to honor our agreement irreparably damaged our relationship. Similarly, in 2022, a collaborative effort with a group of friends soured when they circumvented contractual agreements, appropriated my concepts, and excluded me from critical decision-making processes.
While some may attribute these instances to the quality of the friendships involved, I contend that the dynamics of business interactions often lead to shifts in behavior and priorities. Despite my willingness to reconsider, I remain cautious about intertwining personal and professional spheres, recognizing the potential for discord and disappointment. Until compelling evidence suggests otherwise, I am inclined to maintain a clear boundary between business partnerships and personal relationships, safeguarding against further complications and preserving mutual respect.
Contact Info:
- Website: DominiqueLeshayAlston.com
- Instagram: @DominiqueLeshayAlston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDominiqueAlston/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiqueleshayalston/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDomAlston
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRmLQ9s2d_q4ZvJFbXweeg
- Other: My LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dominiqueleshayalston TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dominiqueleshayalston Other Instagram Pages: @MissButterBeansWorld @LifeLessonsAndLuxury @Ihunaanya @FitnessWithDominiqueAlston @BillionaireBossBabesClub Actors Access Resume: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/DominiqueLeshayAlston Amazon: Gentle, Gentle, Little Dragons https://a.co/d/b17hK9L Black & White Make Gray https://a.co/d/2u5OmQS ABC Coloring Book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN681LYV?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_RNCVEKEFSATB11ZRDW5R The JournEY JournAL https://a.co/d/hSTUn4C My Etsy Shop: https://alstonatelier.etsy.com
Image Credits
Jarelle Lee Gloria El-Achkar