Meet Alizé UTTERYN | Media entrepreneur, Publisher and Businesswoman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alizé UTTERYN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alizé, why did you pursue a creative career?
Everything started from disappointment and failures. I was working for a company which was taking advantage of my knowledge without giving me any credits. One day I was fed up and walked out. From this day I decided I will never work again for any company except for myself. This is the same day I have become an entrepreneur. I started thinking about what kind of business I would like to do. I wanted to create a platform that can impact people’s lives but also that fit my values and vision. This is how I came up with the media platform AlizéLaVie sharing inspirational and authentic stories highlighting within a magazine. I chose AlizéLaVie as name of my compagny coming from my first name and the word Lavie which means life in French. AlizéLaVie is above all a life story that started with mine.

What’s one thing about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The media /entertainment industry is a world with a lot of superficial, fake people playing games and most importantly opportunists. Usually people come around you for what you represent, or what you have to offer not because of you. It is all about interest. It took me some time to adjust and understand this mentality. There are no friends. It is an industry highly competitive where you have always to be at the top, surpass yourself while performing. As a result you can be under a lot of stress.

Risk taking: How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
Risk taking has played a key role, I am here today sharing my story because I took risks in my personal and professional life. I have always been a risk taker at heart because I like to take up challenge. Life itself is a risk so if you don’t take any risk you will never know how capable you are and end up living with regrets all your life. I have never been afraid of failing because it is a part of the process to become successful. That is why it is so important to take risks otherwise you will get stuck in a rut while staying in your comfort zone. Being adventurous and daring is what drives me in my life and helps me to surpass myself. Sometimes you ask yourself too much questions before making any decisions because we are afraid of taking risks. As a result you end up doing nothing by fear of the unknown and miss opportunities that could change your life for ever.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas Edison.

When you take risks you have no other choice to go until the end of what you have decided to achieve. Of course there are different level of taking risks, and in some cases you could lose a lot. It is double or quits. But if you don’t try how you will know until you do it. As far as I am concerned a life without risk is a boring life. Sky is the limit! Success or Excuse, the choice is yours. You have to take risks if you want to become successful in your life. NO SUCCESS WITHOUT RISKS.

Being an achiever, taking risks is my adrenaline. It is a mixed of excitement and stress that triggers the best out of myself while performing. When I decided to come to New York I left my home country France leaving everything behind me without knowing what to expect in the US. I started from scratch in New York to make my dream come true. I took risks and today I am living my dream to the fullest while enjoying the fruit of my hard work.

Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
To quit my home country France to live my American dream by never looking back. Whatever I have achieved in America, land of opportunities I would have never been able to do it in my own country

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
My cultural identity by staying true to myself, values and visions. I do what i preach. What you see is what you get. This is where rely my success.
You don’t lead people by what you say to them; you lead them by what they see you do. True leaders are self-leaders.”

What’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
To live far away from my family and specially my parents who live in French Guiana. This is one of the most difficult sacrifice I have made. It is not easy to live in another country by yourself without family not spending time with your loved ones. Even tough I get used to I am always afraid that something can happen and I cant be there.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
Actually my work balance over time has gotten worse because up to few months ago I had none. It has been very challenging. I am a workaholic and as a result, it is difficult to find a balance. I spend most of my time working not taking time for me. Following a burn out, I have started disciplined myself by working only during the week. I have resuming working out and dancing which helps me feel better. I am still working on me to get better and healthier habits for the sake of my well-being. I truly realized I need to take care of myself. With not a good health I can’t perform and deliver efficiently. My purpose is to work less and make more money. But to achieve this goal I need to find the appropriate balance.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you / what do you like about it?
“Take your destiny into your hands”
Some people are born bright, or lucky, or both. The rest of us have to work a little harder However, to be successful you have to be an actor in your life, not a spectator. How? By taking your destiny into your hands with conviction tomorrow will be better than today. Only thanks to your active participation that all your future achievements will come to light. Your actions will determine your future. Existence has a meaning, “There is no such thing as chance, only appointments”. It is all about choice in life. It is up to you to choose!

Remember the strongest factor for SUCCESS is self-esteem: Believing you CAN do it, believing you deserve it and believing you will get it. Always keep faith no matter what and time it takes. Just keep focusing, persevering and it will work out! Slow and steady wins the race.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
Because I am a creative person and an artist. I like to innovate, create news ideas and bring them to life. I have designed my own life through AlizéLaVie which is not simply a brand but a trendy lifestyle . Everything I do it is out of the box due to my creativity including my magazine. However my creative career didn’t prevent me from being successful in the business industry.

What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?
I want to build my legacy by setting the bar high for the unique benefit of the global diaspora promoting socio-economic development, elevation and ultimately black excellence. Representation matters for next generation of our young leaders. Meanwhile I am willing to leave a footprint behind, and convey my passion in order to inspire others globally to reach their potential and dreams.
As a result I would like people remember me as a mover and shaker, a visionary, woman of value who has changed the narrative for a better future, made positive and tangible changes while promoting values, unity and diversity globally. Most importantly I want to be remember as citizen of the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In February 2013, I became a young Entrepreneur by creating my company AlizéLavie in New York with my multicultural and international magazine. I had no experience. I let myself be guided by passion without asking myself too many questions. Fear of the unknown was not an obstacle. I have always been a risk taker.

It was a risky gamble. I have won two international awards; including one at the United Nations for my achievements. This turning point of my life was motivated by being fed up with working for others. More importantly, by a vital need to find my path, be fulfilled, create something that has an impact, and make a difference in the world by putting my shoulder to the wheel. My vision was very simple: to promote worldwide talent, diversity, and have all cultures be inspired. Ii seemed a bit cliché or déjà vu, yet quite the contrary, thanks to God!

The AlizéLavie Magazine launch was an immediate success. The results proved to be successful and encouraging. I was capable of uniting people worldwide around a unique platform, with a common interest to share their real life story. I have learned so much throughout this magazine, which is also a learning life experience. It has educated me a lot in terms of knowledge, human experience and allowed me to grow and blossom.

My Life As An Entrepreneur
My life has completely changed since I became an Entrepreneur. Part of being an Entrepreneur allows one to be exposed to themselves and others’ behavior. And Yes! Nothing was waiting for me on a silver platter. I would even say that no one did me any favors as a young French woman from French Guiana with a heavy “Frenchy” accent playing with the big boys in the United States. This remains for me the best school of life.

I arrived here fifteen years ago with my suitcases, without family and friends, knowing anyone, I struggled, had to buckle down. Yet, despite the tears and loneliness to achieve these results without forgetting all very painful sacrifices. Behind my daily smile, I have faced backlash, disappointment, betrayal and failure. My failures were my best assets. Those moments I fell down; I was able to get back on my feet proudly, head up as I always do. The people, places and things I encountered were my greatest lessons. Haters are also part of the process.

What would we do without them? I can laugh now. I had many doubts at some point because my path wasn’t easy, but I have never given up. Well, my faith, perseverance and courage enabled me to continue to chase my dreams, live and enjoy my life with a smile; despite hardships. Today I am more determined than ever, a new chapter opens and my past is behind me. I have never felt so enriched in my life, happy to do what I love and live for and free to be the master of my own life. My greatest satisfaction and pride, is to have been able to reach out to people around the world — this is priceless.

Finally my entrepreneurial life is a true revelation. It is far from being a piece of cake — even very challenging. Yet it remains the most rewarding experience in my life ever. So guess what? If I had to start it again, I would do it without hesitation!

The keys to success
Here is my advice: Never give up. Do not just dream, but live your dreams. Dare to succeed; know how to take risk; live your life to the fullest, work hard and have faith, do not do things for money, but by passion. Keep in mind that anything is possible in life no matter where you have come from. Once you believe it, especially believe in yourself meanwhile being patient. Compete only with yourself, stay humble, true to yourself.

Last, but not least, share your success with others by devoting your time to them in order to inspire them as well. Because if I have learned many things in life is by giving without expecting anything in return that you receive more blessings.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Miami I will bring them to Bayside Market Place, Dolphin mall, to do some shopping, for artistic and cultural visits to Wynwood Arts District, Miami district design, Little Havana, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. In order to chill out, I will take them to Ocean Drive South Beach and go see a Miami Heat basketball match.

To eat drink and hang out South Beach will be the place to be.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank first God for all blessings, Excellency Deputy Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Cynthia Mother Pratt who is one of my client and role model, my parents for their continuous support, United African congress of the United States of Americas for their trust

Website: www.alizelavie.com

Instagram: alizelavie

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alizé-utteryn-94722264

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlizeLaVieMedia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alize.lavie/ and https://www.facebook.com/alize.laviemagazine

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnJ1EqOVAXjckPZcBK5wFAw