Alicia Boateng shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Alicia, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I am an early riser. I start my day off at 5am, and before getting out of bed, I pray. I express my gratitiude for God allowing me another day. I go through my list of people to pray for and for a gratitude throughout the rest of the day.
I then rise and begin to brew my coffee. As my coffee is brewing, I allow the scent to take me to my happy place knowing that first sip is nearby! I then sit down with my coffee and gratitude journal begin writing. I meditate and manifest for the remainder of the 90 minutes. I try my best to not check my phone or computer during this time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an experienced entrepreneur, speaker, and certified branding consultant. I am also a dedicated mother, wife, and sister.
Together with my husband, Edward Boateng, I am the co-founder of Alicia Boateng Designs, a business known for creating custom, handcrafted mugs, particularly my “Afro-Glam” collection, which has gained celebrity fans like Tiffany Haddish and Octavia Spencer.
Before launching ABD, I had a 20+ year career as a wedding and event planner. I am also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, drawing on to my own journey as a minority in leadership positions to inspire and guide others. My work and insights have been featured in various national publications and syndicated shows, including the TODAY Show, ABC’s The View, and Forbes. I was also recognized as an honoree of the Top 100 Women to KNOW in America in 2024.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Early in my career as a wedding and event planner, I was coordinating a high-profile gala at a renowned historic landmark. The client was incredibly discerning, and the stakes were high, with several influential figures on the guest list. Just hours before guests were due to arrive, a critical shipment of custom floral arrangements, painstakingly designed to match the specific aesthetic of the venue, was delayed due to an unexpected transportation issue. Panic began to set in among some of the team.
However, in that moment, instead of feeling overwhelmed, a sense of calm and clarity washed over me. I immediately leveraged the relationships I had already started building with various vendors. I made a series of rapid-fire calls to alternative florists, tapping into my network to find a solution. Within an hour, I had not only secured a substitute, but managed to source even more exquisite, locally-grown flowers that perfectly complemented the existing decor and surprisingly enhanced the overall ambiance. Seeing the relief on my client’s face, and then watching the event unfold flawlessly, with guests marveling at the beauty of the room, was an undeniable rush. It wasn’t just about problem-solving; it was about the immediate, tangible impact of my ingenuity and connections, proving that I could not only envision grandeur but also flawlessly execute it, no matter the obstacle. That’s when I truly felt the power of my role.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
You know, the incredible lessons we learn when we show resilience during tough times are just something success can’t teach us. It’s when we’ve faced challenges head-on and kept going, even when things were really hard, that we truly discover how strong we are, what we’re made of, and what really matters. These aren’t lessons you pick up when everything’s easy or going perfectly; they’re deeply etched into us through the amazing journey of overcoming difficulties.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
It truly fills my heart to say how much I admire my husband, Edward Boateng, for his incredible character. He’s a man who always remains true to himself, and the love he pours into our family is a constant source of joy and strength.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When people speak of me, I hope they’ll say I was a woman of remarkable resilience and profound generosity, whose spirit truly illuminated every room I entered. I hope they’ll remember me not just as a visionary entrepreneur who created beautiful things and built successful businesses, but as someone who deeply understood that the deepest lessons are often learned in life’s challenges. My journey, marked by courage and grace, served as a beacon, especially for other women, empowering them to find their own strength and voice.
They’ll speak of my dedication as a loving mother, a wife, and a sister, highlighting the love I poured into my family. My vibrant Cuban heritage was a constant source of joy and inspiration, infusing my life and work with the rhythms of Cuban music and the richness of my culture.
They’ll recall how I effortlessly blended my professional acumen with a heartfelt commitment to uplifting others, always remaining true to myself even as I navigated influential circles and orchestrated grand events. My passion for empowering women to truly believe in themselves was palpable, and I possessed a unique gift for helping others see in themselves the incredible capabilities that others already recognized in them.
Ultimately, I hope they’ll say that I didn’t just plan events; I orchestrated lives—not just my own, but countless others through my inspiration, my kindness, my unwavering belief in the power of connection, and my profound ability to reflect back to others the greatness that lay within them. I hope they’ll say I was a testament to the idea that true success is measured not just by accomplishments, but by the lives we touch and the love we share, all set to the beautiful backdrop of a life lived authentically and with a joyful beat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aliciaboateng.com
- Instagram: @aliciaboatengdesigns
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciakboateng
Image Credits
Graciela Laurent Photography
Faith Ramirez, FR Captures
Adrian Sage, Sage Visuals
