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Meet Aalia Lanius of Unsugarcoated Media

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Aalia Lanius.

Aalia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a successful entrepreneur, and as of this year, I can add internationally known author, who is passionate about writing fiction that matters and reminding others of hope in the dark. I didn’t start out that way though.

Facing obstacles does not make my story unique, but how I’ve managed to become my own champion and find a way out of every negative situation like homelessness which led to me being taken in by a religious occult as a teenager, a toxic marriage and fighting cancer more than once are just a couple examples of what I’ve faced. I released my debut novel, Tough Love, a biographical fiction based on events in my life, in February 2018.

My background in business is impressive, but what I am doing now, is more impressive than anything else I have done in my life. I take the concept of “influencer” very seriously. I take this opportunity to influence people to be strong in the face of their obstacles, and it’s working. With just Instagram and less than 1000 followers when I released the book, it sold in countries around the world, and I’ve been invited around the globe to share more wisdom and authenticity that people appreciate.

I am in the middle of launching my brand, Unsugarcoated Media, which is meant to be a community of contributors that also have the same intention of helping spread a positive message, ultimately creating a network of individuals wanting to help lift their voice to change the world. My next book is due out early next year, and that includes a storyline meant to be relevant to political and social issues today.

It is my hope that by writing these stories and sharing them, I can help bring people together, past the judgments and unnecessary fear we see in society. I am married to Hollywood Entertainment Attorney and independent film Executive Producer, Joseph Lanius, who fully supports all that I do to help others. That alone throws another facet into my life as my husband works daily to bring film projects to fruition in his own effort to help the world.

Despite being homeless at 14 years old, I began public speaking at 21 years old and owned my first company by 25. It was the beginning of a career building businesses, including the multi-million dollar business I walked away from at 38 years old in order to keep full custody of my children following a divorce.

Now at 43 and remarried, I write fiction novels and spend time publicly speaking on difficult subjects such as sexual assault, health challenges, and domestic abuse, in addition to giving business advice to others looking to be successful,

Known for encouraging others to live with purpose, and engaging life with resilience, courage, and strength, I share my journey with the world, past and present, along with goals. It is nothing less than incredible, as I invite others to watch me be a mom, wife, and travel the world, proving; I’m not your typical author.

Has it been a smooth road?
Building anything is never a smooth road, but it is the bumps that teach you the most.

For example, I can say that by dealing with the autoimmune diseases that battling cancer left me with is not something I wished for, it’s not necessarily something I regret. It’s not the disease that was positive, but what came of it; the personal growth, the friendships, and experiences only helped me fight harder for the life I envisioned myself living. That is powerful to share because others hear the word cancer and think immediate death or fear for their lives, and I’m in the business of reminding people that there is still hope no matter what you face.

With launching my first novel, the challenge was facing the doubt or fears. I was faced with the questions like “Who is going to want to read my book?” or “what if I’m not as good of a writer as I think I am?” My answer was defiant and hopeful. I believed in myself, and what I am capable of and in the end, I have received messages from around the world of how my story helped someone else or moved them to tears in relation. I even had one girl get a permanent tattoo to be reminded of a story I told. If I had listened to the negative thoughts and allowed them to prevent me from sharing my story, I would never know how powerful it actually is.

The struggle for most people is fear, but you have to learn to be greater than that, because ultimately, as I said in my book, it’s the strongest of us that refuse to perish.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Unsugarcoated Media, LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
Aside from being a novelist and public speaker, dedicated to writing stories that have a greater purpose behind them, I am the CEO of Unsugarcoated Media, LLC. A nonprofit business meant to encourage a network of individuals that are passionate about contributing positively to humanity.

We are writers, speakers, entrepreneurs, but most of all “unsugarcoated” in our efforts to encourage society to be better. A new website near its completion will INVITE people to be part of this vision. Furthermore, we look to partner and collaborate on events with organizations that are doing their best to help society.

By working toward this goal, and with my writing, what I am most proud of is that by taking on this role, I have helped people across the globe. I have been able to engage, connect, and support individuals looking for someone to give them honest and good advice on how to face the challenges of life and business.

Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years?  Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
With the need for change within our country, and what I do is needed more than ever, in my opinion. I feel that in the next 5-10 years my business is going to grow beyond what I imagine today. I say that because of the growth I have already experienced with limited exposure. People want real and honest, and they need that. I think that the strongest and most authentic people will be the ones to continue on and capitalize on how to help others.

The trend is that more people are becoming entrepreneurs and with that, I see a mental shift in this group of people that want are starting to catch on that personal development is important to anything we do in life, especially when looking to build financial success.

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Image Credit:
Ang Amaya, Stephanie Leonard

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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