Today we’d like to introduce you to Alena Dobriakova.
Hi Alena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an international student from Russia. At the age of 16, I left everything that meant the world to me —my family, friends, and homeland—to move to the U.S. to study and play basketball.
Over the past seven years, I have lived in four different states—Arizona, Massachusetts, Kansas, and Minnesota. The transition was challenging, as I had to overcome language barriers, cultural differences, and stereotypes about my background. Adjusting to a new environment was difficult at first, but it pushed me to grow, step outside my comfort zone, and embrace new perspectives. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds helped me reflect on my own culture and appreciate the power of shared experiences.
After my sophomore year in college, I made the difficult decision to end my 15-year basketball career to focus on my education and professional development.
Since then, I have gained experience in marketing and social media management across various industries, including construction, education, AI, and leadership & team development. I have also worked on book marketing strategies, including for Minnesota-based author Kristen Wasyliszyn and her book Why Is My Bra Still On. Currently, I work as a marketing coordinator for a leadership consulting and clinic.
In December, I graduated summa cum laude from St. Catherine University with a degree in International Business and Economics.
I have also published several research papers on marketing, including Research on the Impact of Neural Networks on Increasing Conversion Rates in Internet Marketing.
Beyond my corporate experience, I am passionate about entrepreneurship. I founded BizzKit.pro, a nonprofit platform that provides young entrepreneurs worldwide with valuable business insights and resources, empowering them to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Alongside this, I am actively working on my own startups. One of them is NextGen, an online graphic design platform for children and teenagers, where I plan to offer free courses for children with disabilities.
My journey from Russia to the U.S. taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of diverse perspectives. These experiences continue to shape my entrepreneurial and marketing career, allowing me to connect with people from all backgrounds and build meaningful, impactful projects.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I first arrived in the U.S., I faced a language barrier and cultural adaptation challenges—I was immersed in a completely different world.
Being far from home is still one of the biggest challenges. I constantly have to remind myself of my “why”—why I started this journey and what I want to achieve.
After spending so much time in another country, I still don’t feel like I fully belong—but I remind myself that growth comes from stepping outside my comfort zone, facing loneliness, and learning not to give up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in digital marketing and targeted advertising, with a strong focus on creating highly optimized campaigns that achieve exceptionally low costs per click (ranging from $0.08 to $0.25) while driving high engagement and conversion rates. My expertise lies in developing marketing strategies tailored to different industries, allowing me to adapt and deliver results-driven campaigns.
At 23 years old, I am currently a Marketing Coordinator for two companies—a leadership & team development consulting firm and a medical clinic, where I manage social media, develop marketing strategies, and oversee content creation. Beyond that, I have worked across various industries, including construction, education, AI, and publishing.
One of my most notable projects was developing a marketing strategy for the debut novel of Minnesota-based author Kristen Wasyliszyn, “Why Is My Bra Still On.” When she started with zero visibility, I successfully built awareness and sales through targeted digital campaigns, leveraging data-driven strategies and creative content marketing.
What sets me apart is my ability to combine creativity with analytical thinking
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I wouldn’t say that luck has played a major role in my life or career. Every success I’ve had is the result of hard work, perseverance, and the ability to learn from my mistakes. Nothing has ever come easily to me—I’ve had to adapt and constantly improve myself to achieve my goals. While some people might call certain opportunities “luck,” I believe that opportunities come to those who are prepared to take them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alena.website/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alena-dobriakova-762a6928b/
