No Gatekeepers Allowed
Success is less about who you know and more about who takes a chance on you
There has always been someone who believed in me enough to take a chance, exactly when I needed it most. Looking back, I realize how much those early opportunities shaped my trajectory. It started with my neighbors, who hired a 10-year-old me as a housekeeper and babysitter. Little did I know, they would become lifelong friends and mentors. Later, Mel Robbins took a chance on me and gave me a segment on her Make It Happen radio show. It was surreal. I was on-air, sharing insights about the challenges “tweens” faced and how to overcome them. Both experiences showed me the power of trusting others, even when they’re still growing into their potential.
In my teens, I launched Sweets by Alexandria, a bakery that started with nothing more than a dream and an Easy Bake Oven but quickly grew into a thriving business. Taking a leap of faith, I pitched my vision to The Streets at Southpoint Mall and convinced them to give my cupcakes a spot on their shelves.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but that leap was the beginning of a journey that would teach me the importance of persistence and self-belief. Every day began with my mom and me preparing fresh cupcakes from scratch, working tirelessly to maintain the quality that defined the brand. I’m blessed to have parents like superheroes and sisters who have always supported my dreams. (More on that later.)
Running the bakery meant overseeing operations, ensuring every team member understood their role in upholding our standards and guiding them to meet sales targets. I made it my priority to deliver exceptional customer service, creating joyful interactions with everyone who visited our kiosk. Each experience was crafted to reflect the warmth and community spirit we worked so hard to foster.
A few years and 50,000 cupcakes later, I made the tough decision to close my kiosk locations and enroll at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to continue my education. My reputation as the ‘cupcake girl’ followed me to college. It wasn’t long before I approached the university to have my cupcakes stocked in the on-campus store, Elements, and they were accepted. I’m deeply grateful to every single person who took a chance on me and my vision — it’s a leap of faith I’ll never forget. Their belief and trust not only gave me opportunities but taught me to see the potential in others, a lesson I continue to carry with me today.
That fearless drive to chase my goals followed me into my college years. When I set my sights on securing my first marketing internship, I didn’t wait for the opportunity to come to me. I introduced myself to the former CEO of Ashley Stewart, James Rhee, and asked for a chance. That bold move led to two summers of working there while living in New York City and loving every moment of it.
At every step, someone took a chance on me, believing in my potential even when I was still figuring it out. And I often wonder how different my life would be without their belief in me. Would I have founded Sweets by Alexandria? Gone to college? Moved to New York? My journey is a testament to how much access and opportunity can change a life. My story could look so different if even one of those chances hadn’t been granted to me, and yours could too.
The next time you find yourself at the table of opportunity, I invite you to take a moment to reflect. Who are the people who believed in you, the ones who opened doors that shaped your path? And what about the ones who didn’t? None of us achieve success alone, it’s the belief and support of others that often make the difference. So when it’s your turn to create space for someone else, don’t keep the door closed. Open it, even for someone still finding their way. Your belief in them might just sow seeds of change that ripple across lives in ways you’ll never fully grasp.
Join the conversation in the comments section
Reflect on the opportunities you’ve been given—who took a chance on you, and how did it change your life? 🙏
If someone took a chance on you today, what dream or goal would you hope to pursue with their belief in you? 🌈
Imagine a “thank you” dinner for the people who shaped your path—who gets invited and why? 🍽️
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Sharing The Good Unlocked is like passing along a good book or a recommendation for your favorite coffee spot — it’s an act of connection. Every share amplifies the message, opening doors for new ideas and voices to join the conversation. It’s a simple yet impactful way to support my work, allowing it to reach those who will appreciate and grow from it the most. Plus, isn’t there’s something special about knowing you’re the one who introduced someone to something they’ll love?
At just 16 years old and without a license, you expressed your 10 year old needs from me to be successful in your pursuits of starting Sweets by Alexandria, which was, “Mom, all I need you to do is drive the car!” Shortly afterwards you added, “I’m also going to need you to sign these legal documents(leases, contracts, licenses, insurance, etc.), because I’m not 18.” So happy I took that chance on you!!! BGG!!!
“Imagine a “thank you” dinner for the people who shaped your path—who gets invited and why? 🍽️”
first of all, I have to say you’re unlocking the good and it’s truly meaningful with reflections like this. it resonates deeply with thoughts I’ve had myself. How we all just need someone to take a chance on us—to give us that opportunity to be who we’re meant to be, to fully show up as ourselves.
there are a few people who’ve taken a chance on me, and if I were to host a thank-you dinner for them, these names would undoubtedly be on the list:
Dave Obada (https://www.instagram.com/daveobada)—He’s someone who really believed in me, and his support has been foundational.
Ojo, my former co-founder while I was running a media company—he was like the whistleblower for our brand, and his faith in what we were building definitely brought me into the fold.
Seth Godin (https://seths.blog)—Without a doubt. He introduced me to the path of writing, and while he’s widely known for marketing and his daily blog, his influence on me was deeply personal. During the pandemic, when everything seemed uncertain, his words gave me the push I needed to finally start writing. He set me on this path.
Laura Belgray (https://www.talkingshrimp.com)—Her work through The Talking Shrimp newsletter has been transformative for me. While Seth Godin got me into writing, Laura taught me how to bring myself into my writing. She showed me the power of writing with authenticity, of sharing personal stories, and weaving elements of who I am into my words. Through her I learned how to embrace my writing fully.
these are just a few names that come to mind, but I know there are others who, directly or indirectly, have taken a chance on me. For some, like Seth and Laura, I’ve never even met them, but through their work, they’ve shaped my journey and inspired me to step onto the path I’m on today.
this is my thank-you dinner list—those who saw something in me, whether intentionally or just through the impact of their work, and gave me permission to believe in myself.
Alexandria, which others would you add to your list?