In 2011, at just 12 years old, she started a fashion blog; A Life in the Fashion Lane. It became a platform for her to express her feelings around everything relating to teens, body image, and mental health. A Life in the Fashion Lane was changed to Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and became a lifestyle website and podcast.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I launched a fashion blog initially back in 2011 called A Life in the Fashion Lane when I was 12 years old. I never fit in during school and was so insecure, which inspired me to create the platform for myself.
Over the past 10 years, I've built the site out into a lifestyle platform for young adults on social media and mental health, and have had two successful shows: one that was my own podcast, and a second show on Radio Disney called Fearless Everyday. My whole journey is about being fearless and living your life unfiltered.
2. How did you come up with Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and go about executing it?
I suffered from an eating disorder when I was about 16, which is when I changed the site to be about mental health instead of fashion.
I've always been relentless with pitching and selling myself and my ideas to people: I don't hold back from going after what I want. When I launched the Be Fearless Summit, I dove in headfirst.
I didn't have much experience but my lack of experience with hosting summits actually helped me: I didn't have anything to be afraid of because I had no idea what I was doing!
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
My biggest challenge is being able to show people and brands that just because I don't have millions of followers yet doesn't mean I don't have a strong following and platform.
I think of it as a waiting game, I'll continue to work as hard as I do now until I get those numbers that people want to see, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up on my end goals because I'm not there yet. The best things in life take time.
4. What is The New Unfiltered podcast all about?
The New Unfiltered is a podcast I started with my friend that's the most unfiltered version of myself yet.
This show is a bit different because season 1 is about people getting to know me a little more than I've shared in the past, and season 2 will get back into what I do best: interviewing and sharing my experiences to help others. I'm excited!
5. What do you think influences consumer behavior?
Social media has such a strong influence on what people do and buy. When I was growing up, young adults would want to wear the clothing brands their friends wore in school, that's what was considered cool.
Now, people just want to buy what they see people wearing on Instagram. The world has certainly changed!
6. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?
The best things take time. My definition of success has certainly evolved over time. As nice as materials items can be, I could have millions in my bank account and if I haven't reached my serious career goals, I'd likely still find myself anxious or depressed.
I attribute success to how often I get solid feedback from fans or brands, and with the growing Be Fearless Summit program, I hope to bring even more young people into the growing community.
7. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Don't start anything for fame and money. Fill the void, and have no expectations. That is how you become successful.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: it's KILLER!
Instagram ID - @alexa_curtis
Born and raised in small-town Mansfield, Connecticut, Alexa Curtis knew she was different. She didn’t fit into the “normal social mold.” When she entered middle school, all the bullying she endured led her to need an outlet to escape.
In 2011, at just 12 years old, she started a fashion blog; A Life in the Fashion Lane. It became a platform for her to express her feelings around everything relating to teens, body image, and mental health.
As Curtis evolved as a person, her blog naturally shifted from fashion to discussing sensitive topics that teens and young adults face every day. A Life in the Fashion Lane was changed to Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and became a lifestyle website and podcast for teens & parents discussing topics such as social media and mental health.
Not only did Curtis turn her little fashion blog into a full-time lifestyle platform for teens, through cold-pitching, but she also managed to get sponsored by brands like British Airways, T-Mobile, Lands' End, and more.
In 2018, Alexa founded the Be Fearless Summit, which is a pop-up summit that appeared at Drexel University on March 15th, 2020. The next summit was slated for April 1, 2020, at UC Berkeley. Sponsors include Headspace, Shake Shack, and Morphe.
Curtis has spoken at numerous colleges; Northeastern, UConn, Eastern Connecticut, Rutgers along with high schools – discussing how to be fearless as well as mental health and social media.
In October 2018, Curtis spoke alongside Amal Clooney and Serena Williams at Penn Women, and in Sept 2018, Curtis added ‘host’ to her arsenal as she launched her own radio show on Radio Disney called “Fearless Every Day” with Alexa Curtis.
“Fearless Every Day” was the first of its kind and broke new ground for the Radio Disney brand. Alexa interviewed various guests who shared their journey of overcoming obstacles/challenges and chasing after their dreams.
When Curtis is not hard at work, she meditates frequently and makes time for hobbies like cooking and exercising to keep herself grounded. Although she is based in Los Angeles, she spends part of her time on the east coast.
Alexa Curtis
CEO & Founder of Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and Be Fearless Summit
Former host: Fearless Everyday on Radio Disney
CEO & Founder of Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and Be Fearless Summit
Former host: Fearless Everyday on Radio Disney
Interviewed By - Sandeep Virothu
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