CULTURE

Moguls alum Alexis Hobbs on expanding your network and paying it forward

Aug. 16, 2023
3 min read

Alexis Hobbs is just starting her career, but thanks to the experience and connections she gained through Moguls in the Making , she is quickly moving up the corporate ladder at one of the largest privately held commercial real estate firms in the world.

A lifelong leader, Moguls taught Hobbs how to maximize and hone her skills. Now in the professional world, she's using these skills to emulate those who have poured so much into her.

Hobbs took some time to talk with us about her experience in the annual pitch competition, as well as all she's accomplished since graduating from Spelman College.

What was your biggest lesson from the Moguls program?

Take time to find out each other's strengths so you can delegate work in the best and most effective way. When you're working with a bunch of leaders it is easy to get caught up in everyone wanting to lead. We learned to take a step back and figure out who did what best so we could actually move forward.

What is your favorite memory from your experience?

We were virtual the year of my competition, which was disappointing, but Ally and Revolt Media went to such lengths to make us feel like we were all together in Charlotte. They sent cameras to us and made sure that we felt special even though the pandemic caused our year to be different.

What lessons did you learn from the Moguls program that you still carry with you today?

That I have the skills that I need to be successful in life. I can put so much pressure on myself or get down when I struggle, but I know I just need to take a step back and give myself a minute. I remind myself of that often, especially because I just started working and I am constantly learning.

Infographic on Alexis Hobbs. Alma mater: Spelman College. Hobbies: Baking and working out. Dream trip: England and Scotland. Favorite musicians: Beyonce, Rihanna and Adele.]

What's your best piece of advice for incoming Moguls students?

Meet as many people as possible. You never know who you are going to meet or how you'll cross paths in the future. Everyone talks about networking up, but it's important to network across, too. Those are the people that you are going to be interacting with most.

What's been your biggest professional lesson thus far?

Learning how to work with people who I don't have anything in common with. In college, we all had similar backgrounds so this is the first time I am really having to learn how to engage and interact with people who are very different from me. It's caused me to find new ways to build genuine connections – or at least find the middle ground.

You never know who you are going to meet or how you'll cross paths in the future. Everyone talks about networking up, but it's important to network across, too.

What's been your biggest financial lesson as a young professional?

Ask questions before you do anything. I am lucky to have parents who are educated when it comes to financial know-how, so I ask them a lot of questions. You don't know if you don't ask – and there isn't anything wrong with not knowing.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

Regardless of what I do specifically for my career, I always want to be able to pay it forward. Whether it's through mentoring or working on a project that supports my hometown of Detroit, I want to find ways to give back. My community poured so much into me as I was growing up, and it is super important to me to return that favor.

The views, information or opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of Ally.