Mode Around the Globe: Alisa Kotlyarenko
Alisa Kotlyarenko
@itzalisachka
Photography by Aubrie Danae @aubriedanaee
Location: Hotel Mousai Cancun
www.hotelmousai.com
@hotelmousaicancun
Tell us a little about yourself and how you would describe your personal brand in three words?
Hi my name is Alisa Kotlyarenko, I'm a twenty two year old content creator and entrepreneur, originally from Pennsylvania, now based in South Florida. I love all things beauty, fashion, lifestyle and sharing little pieces of me everyday with my audience. If I had to describe my personal brand in three words, I'd say girly, lifestyle and authentic. I think the biggest thing about my content is that I'm genuinely just being myself. I try not to create a perfect version of my life on the internet. I like sharing the fun parts of my life, but I also want people to feel like they’re getting to know the real me behind all my content.
What are three things that have shaped the person you are today?
There are honestly so many things I could name, but the three that immediately come to mind are competitively dancing, having the opportunity to create content for a living at a young age and being a co-founder of a clothing brand. Dance taught me discipline at a young age and how to push myself to be better. It will always be my first love. Having the opportunity to grow on social media at a young age taught me very early on to never take things for granted. I feel really blessed to still have the opportunities that have come from creating content, and I try to remind myself of that whenever things get busy. Lastly, being a co-founder of a clothing brand has given me real-world experience in e-commerce and business. It has also helped me drastically improve my discipline and work ethic. Building something outside of my personal brand has taught me a completely different side of entrepreneurship and what it takes to turn an idea into an actual business.
What is your favorite way to unwind and recharge?
My favorite way to recharge is honestly escaping from reality for a little bit. That’s one of the reasons I love going on trips so much. When I’m somewhere new, it feels like all of my problems disappear for the time being and I can just be present and enjoy where I am. When I’m home, I love a good cozy night. I’ll DoorDash my favorite food, lay in bed with a candle on, and binge one of my favorite shows. I also love scrapbooking, which is something I find really relaxing because I can put my phone down and just focus on something creative.
What values are most important to you, both personally and professionally?
Family is probably the biggest value in my life, and I really value having good people around me. I want to surround myself with like-minded people who have good hearts, who are loyal, and who genuinely want to see me and the people around them succeed. Professionally, communication and loyalty are huge for me. I actually think the values I have professionally carry over into my personal life too. Whether it’s a friendship or a business relationship, I believe honest and open communication can solve almost anything.
What does your perfect day off look like from start to finish?
My perfect day off starts with waking up with no alarm. That already feels like a vacation to me. I’d get coffee from my favorite local coffee truck, spend some time tanning, and then come home, take a shower, and probably take a nap. I’d also try to go the entire day without wearing makeup. If I’m feeling motivated, I still like to move my body, so I’d probably do Pilates or go on a long walk. Then I’d clean and reset my room because I love when my space is clean. For dinner, I’d DoorDash something I’m craving while I lay in bed. Later, I’d invite some people over so we could all just bed rot and watch a show together. And if I'm up for it, we’ll all go do something fun together. Before going to sleep, I’d plan out my next day, do some editing, turn on black noise, and go to bed. Basically, the perfect combination of relaxing, doing absolutely nothing, and still feeling like I accomplished something.
What are you most passionate about outside of your career and social media?
Dance will always be a huge part of my life. I danced competitively growing up, and it’s something I love with my whole heart. Even though I’m not dancing competitively anymore, it’s still something that I have such a strong connection to, and if there’s an opportunity to dance I'll always take it. It took me a while to find another passion besides dance after graduating, but after countless random workout classes, I finally found that I also really enjoy heated mat pilates/sculpt. I love the group atmosphere and how amazing it makes me feel afterwards. It makes me feel good mentally as well as physically.
Who are some of the women that inspire you and why?
My mom is one of my biggest inspirations. She raised me and my sisters all by herself. She showed me that it’s possible to be strong and independent on your own, and that has had a huge impact on who I am today. My dance teacher, Amanda Page, also had a huge impact on me. She is the reason I fell in love with this sport. She taught me to believe in myself and that I’m capable of doing hard things. She also taught me the importance of showing up for others and I couldn't be more grateful for everything she instilled in me as a young woman. I'm also really inspired by women in the social media space. My creator friends inspire me because I get to see firsthand how hard they work and how seriously they take their careers. Watching them chase their goals motivates me to keep working hard toward mine.
What is one piece of advice that has had a lasting impact on your life?
Another thing I really believe is that everything happens for a reason. Knowing that it’s in God’s hands and that every single thing that happens to me is leading me where I need to be gives me a lot of peace. Even when I don’t understand something in the moment, I try to trust that there’s a reason for it. I also always think about something my dance teacher used to tell me whenever I was tired, “Sleep when you’re dead”. I think about it every time I’m tired or don’t feel like doing something. Obviously, I know sleep is important, but I think what she meant was to not let being tired or uncomfortable stop you from doing something you really want.
How would you describe your personal style, and where do you find fashion inspiration?
My personal style is definitely very trendy and feminine. I love all things pink and girly, but I also like switching it up to a more laid back and effortless look. I like wearing things that just make me feel like me. A lot of my fashion inspiration comes from Pinterest and other content creators, and I also love keeping up with trends and trying out new looks. At the same time, I’m always finding ways to make those trends fit my own style. I love seeing an outfit or idea online and then putting my own personal spin on it. I think my style is really a mix of what inspires me online and my own imagination.
What are some daily habits or routines that help you feel your best?
Working out and moving my body is a big one for me. I always feel better when I’m staying active, even if it’s something simple. I also love making a checklist for myself. There’s something about checking things off a list that makes me feel really productive, so having structure in my day is important to me. And honestly, getting enough sleep makes such a difference. I’ve learned that I’m much more productive and feel so much better when I actually give myself time to rest. 
What is one experience that changed your perspective on life?
Going to college definitely changed my perspective on life. At the time, I thought college was everything I wanted. It was so fun, it gave me a lot of new friendships, freedom, connections, and I’m genuinely glad I had the opportunity to experience it. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t my path. Being in college made me realize that I was spending so much time focusing on something that wasn’t necessarily where I wanted my life to go, while I already had something really special right in front of me. I had built a platform that was giving me opportunities, and I started thinking about what could happen if I actually gave that opportunity 100% of my effort. I still recommend college to anyone who has the opportunity and genuinely wants that experience, because it gave me friendships and connections that I’m grateful for. But for me personally, it helped me realize that there isn’t one specific path you’re supposed to follow. Sometimes you have to experience something to realize what you actually want.
If you could visit anywhere in the world next, where would it be and why?
Greece. It has been my dream destination ever since I was little. It’s just so beautiful, and I’ve always wanted to experience it in person. I’ve seen so many pictures and videos of Greece over the years, and it’s one of those places that I’ve always thought, “I need to go there.” Hopefully I can make that happen soon.
What is a dream or goal you hope to accomplish in the next five years?
One of my biggest goals is to set myself up for financial freedom in the long run while continuing to grow my personal brand in a way that actually fits my lifestyle. I don’t want to build something that I can only maintain for a few years and then eventually fall off. I want to keep evolving, learning, and putting in the work to make my career and brand sustainable for the rest of my life. I’m still figuring out exactly what that looks like, but I know I want to build a life and career that gives me freedom and allows me to keep doing what I love.
What is something your followers would be surprised to learn about you?
A lot of people don’t know this, but Russian was actually my first language and I still speak it fluently to this day. I also did rhythmic gymnastics for eight years, which I'm still traumatized by to this day. I think both of those things would surprise people who only know me through social media.
What does "success" mean to you at this stage of your life?
To me, success means having the freedom to do what I want with my life. I want to be able to travel, grow my career, experience new things, and spend time with the people I love. I also want to be in a position where I can help my family and give back to the people who have supported me. Of course, I have financial and career goals that I want to accomplish, but ultimately, I want those things to give me freedom. I don’t want to work my entire life just to realize I never had time to enjoy it. Right now, success is building a life where I can have a career I’m proud of while still having the time and freedom to enjoy the people and experiences that matter most to me.
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would you want your legacy to be?
I would like to be remembered for having a positive impact on people and inspiring others to chase their dreams, no matter how unrealistic they might seem. I also want to be remembered as someone who showed love and consideration toward other people. I think success is great, but the way you treat people along the way matters just as much. If I can make someone feel inspired, supported, or like they’re capable of going after something they once thought was impossible, that would mean a lot to me.
What is your favorite song right now?
Right now, my favorite song is “Greatest Expectation” by Sienna Spiro
What upcoming projects, collaborations, launches, or exciting news would you like to share with our readers?
Alisa: My clothing brand, She’s Country, is doing its first pop-up soon, and I’m super excited about it. It’s been a lot of work behind the scenes getting everything ready, and there are so many details that go into putting together something like this. But seeing everything come together has been really exciting. She’s Country is something I’ve put a lot of time and energy into for the last few years alongside my co-founder Sadie McKenna, so getting to bring the brand into a physical space and connect with people in person is really exciting and special to me. I can’t wait to see it all come together!
Looking back on your time at Hotel Mousai Cancun, what was the highlight of your experience, and what made it so memorable?
For me the biggest highlight was the tight-knit bond our group had. We all became so close throughout the experience, and I think that made the entire trip so much more fun and memorable. I loved how we were all able to stay inspired by constantly bouncing content ideas off each other. Hotel Mousai Cancun itself was absolutely beautiful and the setting made it so easy to stay inspired. From the balcony views overlooking the ocean to taking aesthetic pictures throughout the hotel, I felt motivated to create content from sunrise to sunset. There was always something beautiful around me to capture. But I think when you get to experience a place that beautiful with an amazing and genuine group of people, it’s the relationships and memories you make together that really stay with you. The combination of the hotel, the experience, and how close our group was is what made the trip so special for me.
