Meet Trailblazer Allison Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Smith.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Allison. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started AK x ALIBI, pronounced Ak’s Alibi because I was tired of my friends only going to parties and eating Zaxby’s and American Deli (joking, but not really). My freshman and sophomore years are what set things in motion. I realized I had never really explored anything outside of the Eastside, so I wanted to make the most out of living on campus, and in the heart of Atlanta. At first, I would go on adventures by myself to wherever I could. I wanted to see what the city had to offer.

Fast forward, I made friends and began convincing them (they hated walking) to go on adventures with me. We’d go on hotel rooftops for the view. We’d skip class to eat because, even though we were broke, the dining hall wasn’t always good enough. Every Tuesday at noon, we would get cute then walk to the front of Peachtree Center to have photoshoots. It was all pretty random, but we made lifelong memories and had lots of fun (and our grades survived #THANKGOD). I’d upload pictures from our adventures onto my Instagram, and people would DM me asking where I was or what I was doing. Eventually, I decided to dedicate another IG to my adventures, and AK x ALIBI was born.

AK x ALIBI is the way I combine all the things I love, and it’s allowed me to create a space that’s authentic and safe. I’m pretty sure people look to my page for the tea on local food places, but it’s dedicated to putting people on to new things and new places. Exploring new things, at least for me, is euphoric, and that feeling is worth sharing. AK x ALIBI is my “brand” but besides that, it’s become my baby. I take pride in being able to say that I’ve created my own little community.

Has it been a smooth road?
I haven’t experienced any significant challenges. I will say that posting about food can get expensive, but it’s all about planning. For other women who may be interested in starting a food or lifestyle page, I’d say be genuine and know your passions. Speaking generally, I’d say, don’t force it. What you’re good at and meant to do won’t need to be forced, it’ll always come naturally.

Living in Atlanta and being creative can be a bit overwhelming. I think everyone’s trying to push themselves to be creative and the “best” version of it, but that version doesn’t really exist. In the words of Shameless Maya, DO YOU BOO. Find what makes you happy, and do that thing. The only boundaries that exist are the ones that you create.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I created AK x ALIBI because I noticed that every neighborhood I lived in was a food desert. My friends and I had begun falling into a pattern — we ate what was most accessible and available. I wasn’t joking when I said I was tired of my friends eating American Deli, but I think at some point, a lightbulb went off. I realized that they wanted to eat other things, but they didn’t know where to go, and there weren’t that many options (which is an entirely different conversation). I didn’t have a huge epiphany or anything, but in my mind, I was like “bet.” Since that moment, I made it a point to try new foods and things for all of us.

The ultimate goal of AK x ALIBI as a brand is to put people on, but also to create a platform where people can be engaged and educate themselves. Along with posting food, I plan on utilizing my page to talk more about lifestyle choices. I want it to be a source of insight and inspiration.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I’m so thankful to be in a position where I have positive, feminine energy in my life, and there’s a long list of women who inspire me. It’d be wrong for me to start the list off with anyone besides my mother. She’s a Capricorn, and I’m an Aries #yikes, but we are the most beautiful case of opposites attracting. She’s taught me lessons I’ll never forget about love and compassion.

I’m also inspired by two of my closest friends, Sabrina and Sara. They are the friends I mentioned earlier when asked about my story. They’ve been by my side since the very beginning of my journey at Georgia State, and have pushed me every step of the way. Next, I am always in awe of the Delta women in my life, but especially my line sisters. I’ve never met a group of more dynamic women. They are trailblazers in every sense of the word — unapologetic, fearless, and irreplaceable. I don’t know if I’d be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for them.

Along with these, I admire women like Donye Taylor of the Digital Footprint, Brittany Antoinette of the Idea Girl, and Andrea Pippins, who is an artist and author. I could go on all day about the women I look up to, but just know that girls rock. I love us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @aksalibi
• Twitter: @aksalibi

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