Hidden Gems: Meet Alysia Wilson of A Mile A Minute Logistics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysia Wilson.

Hi Alysia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was reading a book called Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach and was trying to figure out my next move. I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I didn’t realize my lane or what I wanted to pursue. For months I just thought of things that interested me; I’ve always been obsessed with my body and knew I could be my muse. Many young women were emerging with their clothing boutiques at this time. I didn’t want to take that route, and I didn’t see too many people in the area, including swimwear, so that was it for me. I decided to start my swimwear line. My mom helped me think of a name simple yet bold enough to stick and catch people’s attention. My college roommate/dear friend Khaliyah had her own business specializing in graphic design, so I had her create a logo, and in 2019 The A Collection was born.

I still have the plans and ideas from when I was brainstorming written on pages in the book. I’m not going to lie. Starting wasn’t easy. I lost an important friendship and spent countless hours researching and sampling vendors; I also had to figure out where I would get the funds to jumpstart this business. Everything worked itself out, though; participating in pop-up shops, hosting my own fashion show, and just seeing the support has made this journey worth it and keeps me going. Three years and a pandemic later, we’re still holding on and flooding the city with the hottest swimwear.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been some bumps in the road while developing The A Collection; as I mentioned before, I’ve spent countless hours researching the latest trends, sampling vendors, and learning the business’s basics. I think the two toughest obstacles I’ve faced have been consistency and customer demand.

Consistency is probably one of the 3 most important qualities to maintain to keep your business flowing, so it’s something I continue to improve daily. Running a business solely online requires you to be consistent with posting and marketing, which was and still is a struggle for me. Often I like to step back and take a break from social media altogether, which is hard when trying to run a business that profits 80% from social media. I’ve learned how to balance my “ghosting” phases while still meeting sales goals.

Customer demand was also a big obstacle for me, which is why you must research and stay up to date on the latest trends. I was 21-22 when I first began making plans for The A Collection, and as the girls say, “still living my best life,” so, at the moment, I wanted all my #BossyBabes wearing the hottest and sexiest suits. I learned very early on this journey everyone does not want to walk around “suns out, buns out,” lol. Of course, I wanted my brand to cater to all body types, so I made sure to try and be versatile moving forward; at the end of the day, I wanted women to feel the most confidence when they step out in their TACSwim. I can’t tell you how much money I’ve wasted and vendors I’ve tried using whose quality wasn’t it or whose suits didn’t support the areas that needed support. It took me 2 years to find a manufacturer that could provide me with sexy yet comfortable and quality pieces.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Outside of The A Collection, I also dispatch for owner-operators transporting goods all over America. My family has been in the trucking industry for 10+ years, and I decided to work for myself after finding out I was expecting mid-2021. Not even a full year in, and I help keep 4 other small businesses running. What sets me apart from others is that I have no business hours, newborn, and when a truck needs to move, I’m on the clock 24/7. Not only do I dispatch, but I also help the ambitious get started on becoming owner-operators and help them obtain proper documentation to get on the road. If you know any owner-operators looking for consistent work or need help getting started, have them reach out to: aaw@amlogistics.company

The fact that I created this business while creating life makes it 100x more special and makes me appreciate this business 100x more. It wasn’t easy working 2 jobs, being 6+months pregnant, and working around the clock, but I did it! Honestly, when it’s something you enjoy doing and is passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work, and that’s why it’s important in whatever you do to enjoy it. That’s the only way you’ll 100% give it your all; no matter how hard it gets, you won’t give up on yourself.

What do you think about happiness?
Seeing growth makes me happy. It’s always a special moment when you know where you started and look at where you are now, not only in business but all aspects of life. I enjoy what I do, and seeing how far I can take both businesses keeps me going. Also, the ability to learn and try new things also makes me happy. I like to call myself a jack of all trades so learning new skills or even taking on new careers reminds me we can do anything we put our minds to; that’s something I truly enjoy doing.

Contact Info:

• Website: tacswimwear.com
• Instagram: @tacswimwear
• Facebook: @tacswimwear

Image Credits
Featured: BossyBabes Photographer: John Williams (@J.Willphoto)