In this episode, I sit down with @AlienaCai , a designer-turned-entrepreneur whose inspiring journey offers valuable insights for anyone looking to redefine their career. Starting as a UX designer at eBay, Aliena’s path took a bold turn when her YouTube content, now featured in Forbes and major universities, gained traction and revealed a gap in design education. We discuss everything from the lessons she learned after being rejected by Google (and why it turned out to be the best thing for her), to building a six-figure design business and bridging the gap between traditional education and real-world skills. Aliena also shares practical tips on personal branding, entrepreneurship, and navigating the challenges of running a business. Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or just curious about her incredible story, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Tune in to learn: ⭐️ Why rejection can lead to opportunity. ⭐️ How to build a thriving personal brand. ⭐️ The hard truths and rewards of entrepreneurship. Get ready to be inspired!
💕 Love the content? Consider supporting the channel by buying me a coffee ☕! buymeacoffee.com/rantalksdesign Mentioned in the show: 👉 Fast Track UX: https://fasttrackux.com/. (use code readysetux for 20% off) 👉 Aliena's Youtube Channel: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdImQC-ytxsJss3d1cqdOzA 👉 Aliena Design Studio: https://www.alienadesign.studio/ 👉 Forbes feature: https://www.forbes.com.au/brand-voice/uncategorized/fast-track-to-six-figures-👉 aliena-cais-blueprint-for-aspiring-ux-designers 📚 Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan: https://noahkagan.com/mdwbook/ 📚 Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestly: https://danielpriestley.com/oversubscribed-book/ 📚 The Art and Business of Online Writing: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Business-Online-Writing-Capturing/dp/0998203491 🔗 Connect with Ran Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/ ADP profile: https://adplist.org/mentors/ran-liu - Currently mentorship slots open! 🔗 Connect with Aliena Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlienaCai Fast Track UX: https://fasttrackux.com/. (use code readysetux for 20% off) Instagram: instagram.com/thealienacai Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alienacai TikTok: tiktok.com/@thealienacai X/Twitter: twitter.com/AlienaCai 🙏 LEAVE A COMMENT AND LIKE If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a comment on what resonates. This really helps to motivate me to bring you more content like this. 👋 GET IN TOUCH You can connect with me on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/) and share with me any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes. And I can thank you personally for tuning in! 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Journey to Entrepreneurship 04:03 Challenges and Realizations in Entrepreneurship 08:15 The Failed Google Interview 12:41 Starting the YouTube Channel 15:00 Creating FastTrackUX and Identifying Gaps 19:38 Innovative Teaching Methods 23:06 Combining UX Design and Business Skills 24:30 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 25:55 The Art of Outsourcing 26:50 Balancing Creativity and Business 28:03 Transitioning from Designer to Manager 29:59 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 35:35 Building a Personal Brand 39:43 Lightning Round 42:30 Future Plans and Final Thoughts
