Meet Alo Fails

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alo Fails. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alo , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Growing up, I was taught to do the right thing even when no one’s watching. That stuck with me. Playing sports, my coaches drilled in the idea that taking risks and never giving up would always give me that extra push forward. Over time, I learned that effectiveness isn’t just about effort, it’s about intention. This past year, I faced one of my biggest challenges: a major health setback that required surgery. During recovery, I spent a lot of time alone, but in that stillness, I found purpose. God placed things in my heart and made it clear that to reap the harvest, I had to learn how to be effective. Each morning, I followed my routine, then sat at my desk to write. The words poured out, and God told me to organize them into three categories: in alignment, hobby, and nonsense. Every day, those lists shifted and sharpened. Before long, that structure helped me create the very things that have become the backbone of my transformation, my soulful seasoning, my rebrand, and a clothing line that reflects my growth and resilience. By the time I healed, I was ready to launch; body, mind, and spirit aligned. My seasoning is ready to be shipped, my new designs dropped, and my Kustomz came to life. I’ve always been different, the one who stands out without trying. But that’s my strength. Even when I’m the only one in the room who looks like me, I lead with authenticity and faith. When people ask how I stay focused, I tell them: I’m Christ-centered. If I let doubt or noise take over, I’d be just another person feeling stuck and that’s not my story. I’m never stuck. I’m evolving, creating, and building solutions even in silence. Because being the only one in the room doesn’t make me less effective. It makes me unshakable.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a self-taught artist, meal prepper, and motivator and right now, I’m growing into the role of a motivational speaker. I love sharing my story, showing people what healing looks like in real time, and inspiring them to live in their truth. By day, I’m a certified Montessori teacher, guiding the minds and hearts of the youth. That alone gives me purpose. But outside the classroom, I get to share my art in every form: illustration, clothing, storytelling, food, and now seasoning. One of my proudest creations is Alo’s Love Seasoning. It’s soulful, healing, and has been a long time coming. I sat on this blend for a while out of fear. Fear of whether people would like it, fear of stepping into something new. But once I finally took action, it became something special. Now everyone who cooks with it is literally seasoning their meals with a dose of love. Alongside that, I’ve been walking through a deep spiritual and soulful transformation. I opened up about it on YouTube, and even in a short amount of time, I’ve seen how much my vulnerability and honesty are helping others find hope, motivation, and direction. My clothing line, Shark SZN, was born during that same journey. Earlier this year, I had surgery, and some of my markings resemble a tiger shark. It sparked something in me. Sharks are resilient, powerful, independent, nurturing to their pods, and locked into alignment with their purpose. That energy matched where I was in my healing, and it’s now the heart of the one-of-a-kind hoodies and tees I create. Right now, my biggest focus is me not out of selfishness, but out of intention. When I’m aligned, healed, and walking boldly in my purpose, I’m able to help others find theirs. I want people to see that transformation is possible, that abundance is available, and that choosing yourself is never a mistake. Everything I create whether it’s art, food, clothing, or content comes from that mission.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are perseverance, faith, and self-motivation. Those three pillars carried me through every challenge, every setback, and every season where growth felt uncomfortable but necessary. Perseverance taught me to keep going even when the path felt slow. Faith anchored me when doubt tried to creep in. Self-motivation pushed me to create, rebuild, and rise again even when no one else was clapping yet. For anyone early in their journey, my biggest advice is this: Have faith in yourself and in whatever spiritually grounds you. When your foundation is solid, everything else has a way of falling into place. The journey won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it when you start seeing the growth in yourself. If you’ve put your dreams on hold, I want you to rediscover the joy in them. Someone out there needs what you have to offer. Push yourself. Speak life into yourself. Affirm that you have what it takes to be the one who changes the direction of your family for generations. And don’t be afraid of the narrow path it’s narrow because it’s yours. Take the risk. Follow your heart. Go after what pulls at your spirit. Finally, surround yourself with people who are headed where you want to go, or who are already living in the space you’re aiming for. The right community brings accountability, support, and vision. The kind that keeps you moving when you’re tempted to quit.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One of the most influential books in my journey has been Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty. It was the spark that jump-started my transformation. Hearing his stories from becoming a monk to navigating the mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges of that path helped me shift my own mindset in powerful ways. My three biggest takeaways were: 1. “Your mind is a messy room—clean it daily.” This reminded me to treat my mind with the same care I give my physical space. I’ve learned the power of journaling, reflection, and stillness. Even when I’m not perfectly consistent, those practices help me stay organized internally. When I take time to quiet my thoughts, I’m able to place them where they belong and set the tone for the day. It keeps me intentional, grounded, and less distracted by everything going on around me. 2. Identity over expectations. This concept hit me hard. Jay contrasts the “monkey mind”: reactive, insecure, chaotic and with the “monk mind”: intentional, aligned, grounded. That breakdown helped me understand that I get to choose who I want to be before life chooses for me. Living from identity instead of expectations has given me the strength to persevere when things get challenging and to stay rooted in who I truly am. 3. Environment is greater than willpower. This reminded me that I have control over the spaces I inhabit: mentally, physically, spiritually. Who I spend time with, what I consume, and what I allow into my energy are all choices. Willpower alone isn’t enough if the environment is working against you. So I’ve built an environment aligned with purpose, faith, and service. What I bring to the table may not be for everyone, but it’s for the people it’s meant to reach. Overall, I truly love this book so much that I’m preparing to read it again, because every new season reveals new gems. Reading has been a huge part of my success. People share their wisdom, but you only receive it if you’re willing to read it. Knowledge is power, but applying that knowledge is legendary. That’s where new foundations are built.

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