Meet Alia

I’m a lifetime problem-solver, engineer, product developer, and entrepreneur. More than anything, I’m someone who derives my joy from seeing others succeed. I have navigated the ups and downs of being a founder, CEO, entrepreneur, and also know the perils of what it’s like to be an employee working at a large corporation. Moreover, I bring my lived human experience to the table and believe that we all need space to explore ideas without fear of reproach. Too many founders and entrepreneurs believe they need to scale the mountain alone, but in my experience, that only adds to time-wasted, frustration, and decreases the chance of success. My approach is one of empathy and non-judgment. I listen to the words behind the words. In all likelihood, whatever it is you or your business is facing, I’ve experienced something similar. I want to be the person in the arena with you, helping you through rough patches and celebrating your victories, big and small. As I always say, “don’t think, just call.”

Book your free 20-minute intro session today
 

About the practice

My approach is rooted in three main principles:

  1. Total Presence - our time together is just me and you, no distractions or wandering thoughts. A 17-year meditation practice has led me to understand there’s a difference between listening and simply waiting for my turn to speak. I engage in the former.

  2. Reflective listening - so often, we simply need to hear our thoughts reflected back to us and someone who can hear the words behind the words. I’m have honed the skill of reflecting back to others what resonates with them deeply.

  3. Empathy - I come from a place of wanting to help without wanting to fix. I believe in the principle that human beings are to be accepted as they are rather than molded. The process of self-improvement is one of finding simplicity while simultaneously embracing the paradox of complexity. Similarly, rather than advising, I will offer suggestions, but leave the agency of decision-making with you so as to best empower you.

 

My core modi operandi are:

  1. Non-judgment

  2. Honesty

  3. Openness

  4. Fostering vulnerability

  5. Detachment

  6. Kindness

  7. Self-awareness

  8. Curiosity

 

Issues I often work with clients on:

  • Burnout & Exhaustion

  • Co-founder & interpersonal conflict

  • Work-life balance

  • Pivoting

  • Taking a break

  • Scheduling & Roadmapping

  • Setting realistic goals

  • Accountability Coaching

  • Structuring difficult conversations

  • Public speaking/presentation practice

  • Idea testing

  • Recovering from setbacks

 

My toolkit includes:

  • Worksheets and templates for decision-making, interviewing, budgeting, preparing for difficult conversations, goal-setting, etc.

  • Workbook on communication

  • Meditation and breathing techniques

  • I can also recommend books and podcasts that may be helpful to you along your journey.

 

Books, People, Media, and Ideas that have informed my practice:

Books:

  • Shakti Leadership by Nilima Bhat

  • A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

  • The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • The Foundations of Mindfulness by Eric Harrison

  • Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

  • Integral Life Practice by Ken Wilber et. al.

  • Working with Anger by Thubten Chodron

  • The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

  • The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

  • Callings by Gregg Levoy

  • Finding your Own North Star by Martha Beck

  • Ayahuasca: Soul Medicine of the Amazon Jungle by Javier Regueiro

  • Revolution from Within by Gloria Steinem

People & Ideas:

  • Gabor Mate

  • Brene Brown

  • Concept of Non-dualism

  • Buddhist Non-Attachment

  • The Twelve Steps

I have expertise in the following domains:

  • Environmental Engineering

  • Sustainability

  • Triple-bottom-line businesses and CSG

  • Benefit Corporation

  • Social Enterprise

  • Human rights Non-Profits

  • Air Quality/Air Pollution Control

  • Materials & Nanotechnology

  • Hardtech & Medtech

  • Product Development

  • Technical writing

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Grant-writing

  • Team-building

  • Hiring

  • Web design

  • Customer Acquisition

 

Recent Accolades (2020-2021)

  • Startup of the Year | Business Products | GOLD GLOBEE® WINNER 

  • Best Product | To Combat and Reduce the Impact of COVID-19 | GOLD GLOBEE® WINNER 

  • Startup of the Year - Business Products Industries | GOLD STEVIE® WINNER 

  • Startup of the Year - Business Services Industries | GOLD STEVIE® WINNER

  • Startup of the Year | Technology Products | SILVER GLOBEE® WINNER 

  • Startup of the Year | Others | SILVER GLOBEE® WINNERS 

  • Company Innovation of the Year | SILVER GLOBEE® WINNER 

  • Best Service | To Combat and Reduce the Impact of COVID-19 | SILVER GLOBEE® WINNER 

  • Executive Hero of the Year | Effective Leadership During COVID-19 | BRONZE GLOBEE® WINNERS 

  • MNP Future Leaders Winner

  • FoundersBeta #1 Hottest Startup to Lookout for in 2021

  • DataTechVibe Top Companies to Watch For


More about me…

Soft Skills:

  • Passive & Guided Meditations

  • Breathing Techniques

  • Therapeutic approach to coaching

  • Integration of 12-step recovery principles

  • Incorporating art, journaling, creative endeavors into the entrepreneurial process

My Passions & Hobbies:

  • Long-distance road cycling

  • Travel

  • Gourmet cooking and baking

  • Languages

  • Building Community

  • Ethical futurism

  • Medical sciences & global health

  • The rights of girls and women in the global south

  • Essay writing

Languages Spoken:

  • English

  • French

  • Spanish

  • Urdu

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

— Teddy Roosevelt