We were lucky to catch up with Alexandra Arias recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandra, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
Facing a layoff was an unexpected twist in my life’s narrative, just as entrepreneurship was never in the plan. Yet, that’s the profound beauty of life—its ability to surprise us and teach us to trust the unknown. In the face of adversity, you never truly know what transformative opportunities may arise. It’s a testament to the strength of faith and self-discipline, the ability to transform a negative circumstance into a positive outcome.
In April of 2020, I was laid off from my corporate job due to the pandemic. Despite knowing the challenges the business was facing, the termination still came as a bit of a surprise. Immediately, I felt ashamed especially since I always envisioned myself leaving a company on my own terms. However, this experience taught me a valuable lesson: when we release control and embrace life’s unfolding journey, we discover the inherent beauty in the unknown.
Being laid off was a pivotal moment in my life, leading me into entrepreneurship. The journey has been extremely rewarding- allowing me to connect with so many inspiring entrepreneurs and continuously reach new heights both personally and professionally.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In July of 2020, I embarked on an exciting venture by launching my picnic business, Bites ‘n Bask. It began as a creative outlet during the global shutdown when the world was seeking safe outdoor activities. Initially, my focus was on crafting unique picnic platters, featuring exquisite charcuterie boards presented on customized wooden serving boards, along with a delightful array of flatbreads and desserts.
What set my business apart was the personalized touch. I took pride in hand-delivering these prepared picnic platters to my customers at their preferred park locations. This level of attention and care resonated with my clients, contributing to the success and growth of Bites ‘n Bask.
Fast forward three years, I took my business from one state to another, significantly expanding my customer base. In addition to offering personalized picnic experiences, we have evolved into an event styling company, catering to small gatherings as well as corporate events. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, and I am thrilled to witness the impact my business has made on creating memorable experiences for people.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience, creativity and power to make connections. Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight line. With new heights, comes new challenges. Failure is part of the process so it should be something we embrace rather than running away from. It’s in these moments that we learn the most and ultimately become better and stronger professionals. This is why resilience is key because hard days are inevitable. Learn from those before you and lean on your community of those who are on the same path.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Atomic Habits by James Clear.
I revisit the book every so often to remind myself of the lessons. It’s become one of my most cherish reads. It teaches readers how to create good habits while breaking the bad ones in order to become 1% better everyday.
“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”
Three key lessons:
1. Small habits make a big difference
2. Forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.
3. Build identity-based habits
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bitesnbask
Image Credits
Headshot photo: SJR Photography (Shannel Resto)
