Her Story
About Aliona
I immigrated to the United States around 14 years ago with zero knowledge of English and had to start my life completely from scratch. Even though I had a master's degree in Romania, it didn't matter here - nobody cared about that. I started at the bottom, working in hotels and restaurants, but I knew I wanted to be something one day and didn't want to stop being housekeeping or a dishwasher my whole life. I have a really strong personality, so if I put something in my mind, I'll get it done. I moved into assisted living because I have a passion and compassion for elderly people - I really care about them and like to help them. I worked my way up from baker, cook, and kitchen supervisor to business office manager because I wanted to use my background from Romania and grow professionally. About a year ago, my company offered me the role of Director of Sales and Marketing. I had never done sales and marketing before, but I like to be challenged and try different things. Now I tour families, show them our community, talk to them, get to know their stories, and help them through the difficult decision of placing their parents in assisted living. I explain that it's not terrible - we have a really nice community, and residents can still have independence. We're just helping by providing our services. I'm proud that I came to the U.S., learned the language, and got to where I am today.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aliona
01What do you attribute your success to?
I care a lot about the people I serve. When I promise something to a family, it has to be - I'm really committed to following through. I expect everybody to do their job, and sometimes it's hard because people are not like how I am. I've learned to work around that by finding what their skills are, what they're good at, and trying to incorporate that. I try to suppress my tendency to expect everything from everyone and not ask for too much. For me, it's important how people and families feel, so I focus on helping them, even though the corporate side focuses on numbers. I don't put numbers first - I put people first.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is dealing with competitors in Waco who offer the same services we do, so I always try to highlight what makes us different from other communities. Working in this field, the corporate side matters about numbers, but for me, what matters is people. I get challenged because for me it's important how people and families feel, so I focus on helping them. The corporate side is focusing on numbers, and this is a big challenge for me because I don't put numbers first - I put people first.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is really important to me - I like to spend time with my family. But sometimes work comes first for me, and I wish I would know how to separate work and family better. For example, if a resident or a family calls me after 5 o'clock - even at 6, 7, 8, or 9 o'clock sometimes - I cannot not answer the phone. I have to see what's going on, I need to help, and if I have to, I will come to the community and help. I probably should put boundaries, like okay, after 5 I don't work, but it's not like that for me. I'm learning how to do that.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Texas
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.