Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Arguello.
Hi Alexandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
If I were to describe myself, I’d say that I have a natural charisma that draws people towards me. From a young age, I’ve always been an outgoing and ambitious person, eager to learn and take on new challenges.
Even as a child, I had an entrepreneurial spirit. It was not uncommon to find me running a lemonade stand, choreographing a “show” for all of my neighbors to pay to watch, or charging my neighbors to allow me to rake their lawns or clean their children’s rooms. I guess you could say I have always been a hustler!
My journey in the dance world began at a young age, starting out as a dance teacher assistant at just 13 years old. As I got older, I progressed to teaching and choreographing, which ultimately led me to start my own dance studio for teens and young adults. To get the ball rolling, I made a bartering agreement with my dance teacher, offering to teach her beginner ballerina classes in exchange for free rent.
Back then, social media wasn’t as user-friendly as it is today, but I still managed to find local young adults interested in dance by narrowing down their interests on Facebook. It may sound unconventional, but it worked like a charm! I taught classes with 11 to 18 people at any given time, covering a range of styles including adult ballet, salsa, jazz, lyrical, and belly dancing. This experience as a young business owner at the age of 18 sparked my interest in owning a bigger company, though I wasn’t entirely sure of what kind.
My first corporate job was with Starbucks, where I discovered my love for customer service and interacting with people. Over the years, I’ve worked in various industries including restaurants, retail shops, Fortune 500 companies, and mom-and-pop shops. Each job has taught me new skills and experiences, fueling my hunger to better myself and find my true purpose in life.
At one point, my family expressed concern about my tendency to jump from job to job without a clear career path. That’s when I decided to pursue law as a more stable career. With the help of my uncle, who was an attorney at the time, I shadowed him and developed skills to become a proficient paralegal. After obtaining my paralegal certification from the University of Miami, I dove into the legal field and quickly climbed the ladder. I eventually managed a firm with over 25 paralegals and was making six figures at a young age, which was quite an achievement for someone who had dropped out of college to chase their dreams instead of a degree.
However, even with all of this success, I still felt like something was missing. It wasn’t until I met with an attorney friend at a new local acai shop, Playa Bowls, that I was offered a chance to change my career path. Despite the risk, I followed my gut feeling and left my cushy law firm job, cutting my salary in half to join the Playa Bowls team. I fell in love with the company and everything it stood for, and eventually decided that managing their stores wasn’t enough – I wanted to open my own Playa Bowls store.
In 2021, I opened my first store in Davie, Florida, and since then, I have successfully expanded to three locations in South Florida. Along with my amazing partners, we have set our sights on owning over 50 stores in the coming years. I am proud to have taken this leap of faith and found my true calling as a business owner in the food industry.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Throughout my journey, I have encountered the challenge of living with generalized anxiety disorder. As someone who understands the struggles of anxiety, I have experienced both highs and lows. However, I have never allowed it to deter me from pursuing my goals and discovering my purpose.
If you too are navigating the path of self-discovery while grappling with anxiety or panic attacks, I encourage you not to allow it to define you or hold you back. Remember that you are capable of achieving your dreams and reaching your full potential, despite the challenges you may face.
We’ve been impressed with Playa Bowls, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Playa Bowls is your slice of summer, anytime. Using the freshest, highest quality ingredients, we serve healthy, delicious acai, pitaya, coconut bowls, and smoothies with sustainability and community in mind. What began as a pair of blenders, a patio table, and a fridge has flourished into over 170+ stores, thousands of employees, and a mission to lead communities in healthy, sustainable living.
Here in South Florida my partners and I own Playa Bowls Davie, Coral Springs, and West Boca. We are currently working on new locations coming soon to UCF, FIU, Aventura, Doral & more!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
As a mother of three and entrepreneur, I understand the challenge of striking a balance between family life and pursuing my career aspirations. My advice to other young parents navigating a similar journey is to keep pushing forward while always prioritizing your family and carving out time for yourself to maintain your mental and emotional well-being.
It’s important to make time for family activities and to ensure that your loved ones are always at the forefront of your decisions. Remember, by nurturing your family relationships and taking care of yourself, you can create a strong foundation that will help you to achieve your goals and build a brighter future for your children.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.playabowls.com
- Instagram: @playabowlsdavie, @playabowlscoralsprings, @playabowlswestboca, and @bookplayabowls
