Podcast Title: She's So Lucky
Episode: Stop Humbling Yourself: Owning Your Confidence with Alexis Barber
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Les Alfred
Guest: Alexis Barber

Introduction

In this empowering episode of She’s So Lucky, host Les Alfred welcomes back Alexis Barber, a dynamic entrepreneur and influencer, who shares her transformative journey over the past few years. Alexis delves into her significant career pivots, the challenges she faced with burnout, and the societal pressures exerted on women in the content creation industry. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, self-discovery, and owning one’s confidence.

Major Career Pivots

Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

Alexis Barber recounts her early career days at Google, where she transitioned into YouTube Shorts—a role she describes as "the best job ever" due to its flexibility between New York and Los Angeles. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to identify a gap in the market for robes that truly resonated with her, prompting the launch of her own brand, The Robes.

“I really loved it. I got to be between New York and LA, but I've always been an entrepreneur. Doing everything helped me see what I liked.”
— Alexis Barber, 01:36

Launching and Scaling The Robes

Despite the initial success, Alexis faced uncertainties about the future of her robe business while starting business school at Wharton in August 2023. Her influencer career also took off, resulting in book deals and high-profile collaborations, such as working with Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty.

“After our podcast, all the things I'd been working on sort of came to fruition.”
— Alexis Barber, 03:30

Deciding to Pivot Again

By the summer of 2024, Alexis recognized the unsustainability of juggling multiple careers. She made the difficult decision to take a break from The Robes to focus on her education and personal well-being.

“I need to now pivot and decide what to do next because it's unsustainable to have four careers at once.”
— Alexis Barber, 04:00

Struggles with Burnout and Health

Recognizing Burnout

Alexis openly discusses her battle with burnout, exacerbated by her chronic illness, multiple sclerosis (MS). She describes burnout as losing joy and obsession with previously beloved activities, leading her to question her own productivity and worth.

“I was burnt out, like in the toughest mental spot I've been in for a long time.”
— Alexis Barber, 06:00

Seeking Help and Recovery

With guidance from a business consultant, Michelle Pelizon, Alexis restructured her workload by delegating tasks and eliminating non-essential activities. This strategic overhaul allowed her to regain clarity and prioritize her mental health.

“Michelle Pelizon put me on my burnout protocol. I had to delete, delegate, or defer every single task.”
— Alexis Barber, 27:06

Prioritizing Health

Alexis emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s body. Her MS symptoms served as a critical indicator to reassess her commitments and focus on what truly mattered, reinforcing that health must always come first.

“What really matters? And the health always comes first.”
— Alexis Barber, 36:37

Legitimacy in Content Creation

Facing Gender Bias

Alexis shares poignant stories illustrating the skepticism she faced as a female influencer. During a pitch competition at Wharton, male peers with pre-revenue startups were encouraged to "just be influencers," while her proven business achievements were downplayed.

“They didn’t ask the male influencers why not just be influencers. It’s not just that.”
— Alexis Barber, 11:34

Overcoming Doubts

This experience highlighted the deep-seated biases in the industry, particularly against women. However, observing successful influencers like Mr. Beast helped Alexis affirm the real financial potential of content creation, bolstering her confidence.

“The money in this is so real that I do not care what other people think of me.”
— Alexis Barber, 13:25

Societal Pressures and Relatability

The Pressure to Be Relatable

Alexis delves into the societal expectation for women, especially female influencers, to appear humble and relatable. She contrasts this with the often unchallenged success of male influencers, noting that similar criticisms seldom target them.

“People still question my legitimacy all the time. It’s a matter of being confident in your own career.”
— Alexis Barber, 13:47

Challenging the Narrative

She articulates the frustration of being told to "humble yourself," interpreting it as an attempt to diminish her accomplishments and keep her from advancing further. Alexis emphasizes that striving for authenticity should not equate to seeking external validation.

“Being likable… If I just focus on being likable, it goes to the data point. I would not be who I am.”
— Alexis Barber, 19:40

Embracing Authenticity and Rebranding

Journey to Authenticity

Alexis discusses her ongoing rebranding efforts, shifting away from content driven by external validation to one fueled by genuine passion and creativity. This transition includes her newly published journal, Too Smart for This, which serves as a tool for self-reflection.

“What I wanted people to experience with this journal is the recognition that it's actually all within you.”
— Alexis Barber, 39:17

Focus on Personal Fulfillment

By letting go of The Robes, Alexis found clarity and creativity, allowing her to cultivate meaningful relationships and align her career with her true interests. She now seeks to build a community of creative women and focus on strategy and brand consulting.

“I want to do strategy for you, execute and implement it with you... I just feel very clear on that being what I want to do.”
— Alexis Barber, 45:42

Future Plans and Conclusion

Expanding Her Influence

Looking ahead, Alexis plans to continue writing and sharing her insights through traditional publishing. She aims to provide valuable resources for women navigating the creator economy, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and authenticity.

“There's not enough black women, young black women… I want to share the tools. It's my favorite thing.”
— Alexis Barber, 43:49

Final Thoughts

Alexis concludes her heartfelt narrative by embracing her authentic self and encouraging other women to do the same. She underscores that true success lies in being genuine and prioritizing one’s well-being over societal expectations.

“We’re gonna have one life. I’m gonna have fun with it. And I am having fun, fun with it.”
— Alexis Barber, 52:02

Key Takeaways

• Self-Reflection is Crucial: Journaling and self-reflection are powerful tools for personal growth and overcoming insecurities.

• Prioritize Health: Listening to one’s physical and mental health is essential for long-term success and happiness.

• Challenge Societal Norms: Women should confidently own their achievements without succumbing to the pressure to appear relatable or humble.

• Embrace Authenticity: Authenticity fosters genuine connections and sustainable success in the content creation industry.

• Continuous Growth: Pivoting and adapting are integral parts of an entrepreneurial journey, allowing for alignment with true passions and goals.

Notable Quotes:

• “I have to remind myself once in a while... I have to have confidence in my own career.”
  — Alexis Barber, 13:47

• “Being yourself is gonna be what matters most anyway.”
  — Alexis Barber, 51:37

• “The universe was like, girl, you better get in the lab.”
  — Alexis Barber, 39:29

This episode serves as a beacon for women striving to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and content creation. Alexis Barber's candid discussions offer invaluable insights into building confidence, overcoming burnout, and staying true to oneself amidst external pressures.