We were lucky to catch up with Alicia Underwood recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I believe that much of my resilience comes from my childhood experiences. Although I grew up in a privileged environment, my home was quite chaotic, and one of my parents was emotionally unpredictable and violent. Being the oldest of four siblings, I had to learn to navigate through difficult situations on my own. However, I always try to see every experience as a learning opportunity. I ask myself, what can I learn from this? How can I apply this knowledge in the real world? I never give up, but I am willing to make a change in direction if necessary, and this attitude has helped me until today.”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder of TwentyThree, LLC, a digital communications firm that specializes in social media, influencer, and brand marketing. With over a decade of experience in the brand and digital industry, I have witnessed the evolution of our industry since the advent of social media, and it continues to amaze me. I remember lobbying with my then-boss when I was 22 years old, trying to introduce social media packages to our clients. At 24, I decided to start my own agency with a colleague, and I have never looked back since then.
I offer a variety of services, including social media strategy and development, influencer marketing, and brand messaging/positioning work. Recently, I have launched VIP days to help entrepreneurs and small business owners gain clarity on their digital work. My aim is to provide assistance to solopreneurs or teams struggling with their digital work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As an entrepreneur in the digital space, I believe that three qualities are essential for success: tenacity, open-mindedness, and continuous learning of the industry. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuous learning in the digital world. It is an industry that changes almost constantly, and you cannot build a business around it with a “set it and forget it” mindset. Otherwise, you’ll be left behind.
With over a decade of entrepreneurship, I can tell you firsthand that tenacity and open-mindedness are incredibly vital to the growth of your company. The digital space is highly competitive, and when times are tough, you must keep moving forward.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Two books that come to mind are “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and “The Art of Conscious Conversations” by Chuck Wisner. “Atomic Habits” is an excellent book that teaches us how to reframe our mindset about habits and how they can have a significant impact on our lives over time.
On the other hand, “The Art of Conscious Conversations” is a fantastic book about communication and how we can improve it. This book goes beyond just the basics of communication and delves deeper into the psyche of our conversations, the stories we create in our minds, and how they impact our communication and relationships. This book is highly recommended, especially for those in the communication industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heytwentythree.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentythree.digital
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twentythreedigital/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twentythree-llc/?viewAsMember=true
Image Credits
Photography: Emily Broadbent
