Meet Alysa Gumto

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alysa Gumto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alysa below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Alysa with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I got my work ethic from my parents. When my dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 20+ years ago, his doctor told him that he could no longer work. It changed EVERYTHING for our family. My mom had to become the sole provider, and I saw firsthand how hard she worked to keep us afloat. I watched her step up without hesitation, working tirelessly to ensure our family had everything we needed. She never complained (and still does not complain to this day), and that is something that I admire about her.

I learned early on that if you want something, you don’t wait around or expect someone else to give it to you; you get to work. At 12 years old, I started babysitting, and I saved every dollar possible. I can confidently say that thanks to the hours I put into babysitting, I was able to graduate debt-free from college. That is just one small example that proves that if I wanted something, I was determined to make it happen.

Now, as an adult, that same drive fuels everything I do. I pride myself on being a high achiever who doesn’t just set goals but goes after them relentlessly. I dream big, create vision boards, and give myself permission to want more out of life. But it’s not just about success; it’s about my why. My why keeps me going even when things get complicated.

Success isn’t just about talent or luck; it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and staying committed to the vision you have for your life. And no matter how big my goals get, I’ll never forget where that drive came from, watching my parents, learning the value of hard work, and deciding never to wait for opportunity; I’d create it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m currently focused on my 9-5 as a Marketing Manager for a private equity real estate company, growing the Telling It Like It Is with Alysa Podcast and building my social media marketing business.

I recently started a new job in a new industry and am excited to grow within the company. Starting something new always comes with challenges, but I’m ready to learn, push myself, and see where this opportunity takes me.

My podcast has been such a passion project that I get so much fulfillment from it. I’ve put out over 90 episodes and genuinely feel like I am just getting started. I love having real, unfiltered episodes that make people feel seen, understood, and maybe even a little fired up to make changes in their lives. Every episode is a chance to connect, share stories, and remind people they’re not alone in what they’re going through.

At the same time, I’m pouring energy into growing my social media marketing business because I know the power of showing up online in a real and impactful way. I love helping others build their brands, create content that connects with people, and grow their businesses in an authentic way.

It’s a lot to juggle, but I’ve never been someone who backs down from hard work. I thrive on chasing big goals, making things happen, and proving to myself repeatedly that when you’re passionate about something, you find a way to make it work.

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

Looking back, the three things that impacted my journey most were my work ethic, resilience, and the ability to connect with people.

Work ethic

I learned early on that you have to put in the work if you want something. Nothing is handed to you. Whether it was babysitting as a kid to earn my own money or building my business today, I’ve always believed in showing up and doing what needs to be done. My advice? Get comfortable with hard work. Show up even when you don’t feel like it because consistency will take you further than motivation.

Resilience

Life will throw curveballs, and you have two choices: let them stop you or find a way through. I’ve been through my share of challenges, from personal struggles to unexpected career pivots, but I’ve figured out how to keep going every time. My advice? Learn to pivot, be willing to fail, and remind yourself that every setback is just part of the process. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who never fall; they’re the ones who get back up.

Connect with people
Relationships matter whether in business, social media, or life in general. I’ve built everything by being authentic, making genuine connections, and focusing on serving others. My advice? Be yourself. People don’t connect with perfection; they connect with authenticity. Build real relationships, listen more than you talk, and always lead with value.

If you’re starting out, focus on these three things. Work hard, be willing to fail, keep going, and never underestimate the power of real connections. That’s how you build something that lasts.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who is ready to show up, do the work, and be unapologetically themselves. Whether it’s through my podcast or my social media coaching business, I love working with people who are passionate about their message and want to make an impact.

For my podcast, Telling It Like It Is with Alysa, my ideal listener is someone who craves real, unfiltered conversations. They’re tired of the highlight reel and want to hear the truth about business, life, and everything in between. They appreciate honesty, humor, and a little tough love to help them push forward in their own journey.

For my social media coaching, my ideal client is someone who knows they have something valuable to share but feels stuck on how to show up online in a way that connects. They don’t want to just post for the sake of posting, they want to build an engaged audience and grow a brand that feels like them. They’re coachable, open to trying new things, and willing to put in the effort to be consistent and real.

At the end of the day, I work best with people who are ready to take action, who aren’t afraid to be a little bold, and who want to grow in a way that feels right, not forced. Whether they’re listening to my podcast for motivation or working with me one-on-one to level up their social media, my goal is to help them step into their power and own their voice.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellingitlikeitiswithalysa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alysa.gumto/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysagumto/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4p1IYn5oC4cvDpfEi4ap9C

Image Credits

Caitlin Girdwood

Drew Moniot at the PGH AdWeek