FEARLESS Friday: Alisha Wedderburn
FEARLESS Friday: A blog series about inspiring women who have developed their talents and creative passions in unique ways. These are photographs and stories of a select few artists and entrepreneurs that encourage the pursuit of outstanding endeavors, in spite of fear, while redefining the meaning of success. If you love this post, check out the entire FEARLESS Friday series.
Alisha Wedderburn… is a superwoman. She embodies the true definition of the term. Not only did she have the courage to get in front of my camera recently, but she is an amazingly warm and positive person with incredible ambition. I got to know her through one of her mentors, Pauleanna Reid. Since then, I have bumped into Alisha twice and we’ve chatted non-stop about her travels (she’s multilingual!), her passion for customer service, and her drive to achieve her goals. There’s so much I’ve learned from her in a short amount of time, she is an open book and so it’s exciting to have Alisha share with us on the blog today.
Tell us about what you do? I help hospitality service providers use what they have within to truly provide unforgettable customer service experiences. Through group training or individual coaching I show service providers how to use exactly what they have to turn moments into unforgettable memories.
How did you get started doing it – what inspired you? I’ve worked in hospitality as long as I can remember, in various roles but always in the industry. The more I worked in it the more I was sure that this was not just my job but my calling. I’m so inspired every morning by the challenge of being unforgettable, we have so much power within us to create lasting memories, and that is something that not only inspires me but motivates me every morning.
What are some ways you overcome adversity or fear? The only way to overcome adversity and fear is to face it head on. Most things that we are afraid of are not real and will probably never happen, go after that fear and show it that you’re bigger, better and strong. Fears can be crippling and you can’t leave your mark on this world if you’re being held back by something.
Any advice for others that want to follow on a similar path? Seek to understand people, it’s not enough to just be a ‘people person’ or have a love of traveling. Build relationships, they will open doors for you that money never could, they’re far more rewarding, and usually those people you meet are apart of even greater stories. I have two degrees in hospitality under my belt and I haven’t even scratched the surface of what there is to know, i’m always looking to learn more. My last and probably most important bit of advice is to go the extra mile in this industry, there are so many people who stop at good enough, I only stand out because I go the extra mile, it’s never crowded there.
Name your 3 key sources of inspiration and how they help you create or stay positive.
1. My Future Family- I’m only now learning to embrace my past and not run or hide from it, as a young girl I went through hell and back numerous times and I was always inspired to work as hard as I do so that one day my children could have it just a little easier than I did, so to my future kids THANK ME LATER!
2. My Mentors- Nobody successful has ever got there alone, and i’m no different, I have some of the best mentors that life could ever offer me. Each of them respectively the BEST at what they do and they invest in me so much, i’m inspired to be the best that I can be and become something great, in some way, they deserve to get a return on their investment. I’m so fortunate to have them in my life, cheering me on and supporting me every step of the way.
3. My Brother Dillon-My little brother Dillon is my joy and pride, he’s the jewel in my crown and my everyday inspiration and motivation, he is one reason I work as hard as I do. I am a lot of things but one of my favourite titles is Big Sister, I have to lead by example, especially with him being a young black man. When i’m stressed, want a second opinion or need a boost it’s Dillon I turn too, he has so many great plans for his future, i’m probably his biggest fan and supporter, he’s always watching me so I make sure I set good examples and teach him things I wish I was taught.
Thank you so much Alisha! Get in touch with her via Twitter @aswedderburn, Instagram: @aswedderburn, or Pinterest: @aswedderburn. And watch the fun promo video I made with Alisha’s photos and inspiring words here!
Special thanks to the creative team – Mentor: Pauleanna Reid, Hair: Aisha Ebony, and Makeup: Daneille Mattis. Photography by: Samantha Clarke
**Update** Alisha’s website is now up and running! Check it out: www.aswedderburn.com
