Her Story
About Alyssa
Alyssa Fournier is an entrepreneur and business leader based in Bristol, Rhode Island, whose ventures focus on product-based retail, artisan marketplaces, and local economic growth. She is the founder of Slangin Spots, a subscription-based business connecting independent product-based businesses with retail space, and the founder of Slangin Rockz, a handmade jewelry company whose products are carried in approximately 28 stores across the United States. She also co-founded Vendors Map, a technology platform designed to connect vendors with local events and retailers while creating new opportunities for small handmade businesses. Across her ventures, Alyssa focuses on creating lower-barrier pathways for small businesses to gain visibility, retail exposure, and opportunities to grow.
Alyssa began her entrepreneurial journey at a young age, making and selling jewelry at local flea markets after discovering a passion for the craft. She has since expanded her experience across entrepreneurship, retail operations, marketing, vendor management, business development, and financial operations. At Imagine Gift Store, she led the development of a large-scale artisan vendor program, onboarding more than 240 vendors and helping generate significant revenue for both vendors and the store. She also gained experience in consulting, hospitality auditing, and business strategy while completing her undergraduate and graduate education. Alyssa earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing and subsequently completed a Master of Business Administration at Roger Williams University, where she also served as Vice President of the Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization. She is currently pursuing a real estate certification.
Alyssa's approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in passion, resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks and try new things. She believes strongly in learning from mistakes, maintaining perspective, and building relationships with people who can provide guidance and mentorship. She encourages young women in business to protect themselves in partnerships, research who they work with, and confidently advocate for their own value. Her commitment to ethical business practices is central to her leadership philosophy, with reputation taking priority over short-term financial gain. Her accomplishments include winning first place in the 2025 Rhode Island Student Pitch Contest and earning Dean’s List recognition at Roger Williams University. Through her businesses, Alyssa continues to champion local makers and develop innovative ways for small businesses to connect with customers and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alyssa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to passion, resilience, and being willing to try new things. I started creating and selling jewelry at a young age because I genuinely fell in love with it. That passion gave me the motivation to continue learning and building. I have also learned that it can be intimidating to put yourself out there and talk to people, but having the resilience to do it anyway has opened important doors for me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my favorite mentors taught me that when things go wrong, I should not keep looking in the rearview mirror. Instead, I should look through the windshield and focus on what is ahead. Another mentor reminded me not to lose sight of the little things and to take time to appreciate and enjoy the journey rather than becoming so focused on business that I forget to “smell the roses.”
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to protect themselves in business. I have worked with many different people and have experienced deals that I regret, so I believe it is important to research the people you are doing business with and understand what you are agreeing to.
I also encourage women not to be afraid to ask for more. Women can sometimes downplay their contributions or accept less than they deserve. Know your value, recognize what you bring to the table, and be willing to ask for the compensation, opportunities, and respect that reflect that value.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I try to operate ethically in everything I do. If I see something unethical happening, I tend to be one of the first people to speak up about it. I believe money comes and goes, but you only get one reputation in life, so protecting my integrity and doing business the right way are more important to me than short-term financial gain.
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