By: Unstoppable Branding Agency

In the realm of business and leadership, authenticity is a quality that sets true leaders apart. Alena Uzhnyeva, the owner of Alonafish OU company in Estonia and PT Like Production Center in Bali, has embraced  the concept of authentic leadership to reach new heights of success and fulfillment in life and business.

From Adversity to Authenticity: Alena Uzhnyeva’s Journey

Alena’s journey towards authentic leadership began in her formative years in Ukraine. Growing up in an environment marked by family struggles, physical abuse, and economic challenges, she learned early on to obey authority, and conform to society’s expectations. However, the facade of compliance ultimately led her to feel disconnected from her true self.

Reflecting on her past, Alena shares, “I did everything expected of me in order to feel loved. My parents divorced when I was 15 years old, and my father left the family. I then started working to support my mom, sister, and brother. The belief, ‘hard work makes you successful, and success makes you worthy of love’ was fully ingrained.”

At age 20, Alena began her corporate career as a manager in the international fish business, a male dominated industry. Working tirelessly, she became a top employee and one of the major contributors to the company’s growth. But beneath those accomplishments, she felt drained, disconnected, and numb. “I was spending my life chasing achievements, unconsciously trying to prove my value and worth, leaving me burnt out and unfulfilled. I was completely in my masculine energy—doing, doing, doing, without taking time to simply be and receive. This way of being compromised my physical, mental, and spiritual health.” 

Everything changed when she attended her first transformational retreat and realized there was a different way to live and lead, one where she could make decisions in alignment with her heart, mind, and purpose. This moment catalyzed a healing journey and changed the trajectory of Alena’s life. She left her corporate job and started her company Alonafish OU, which has since grown to an 8-figure empire recognized year after year by the Estonian government for its economic contributions and standards of excellence. Throughout this process, Alena learned to embrace a style of leadership rooted in authenticity, self-expression, and the commitment to inspire others. 

The Characteristics of an Authentic Leader

For Alena, authenticity means living in truth and alignment with one’s values. She emphasizes, “It’s the freedom to be real, to be aware of your thoughts and emotions, and consistent in your words and actions.”

According to Alena, an authentic leader operates from a place of deep self-awareness. “Without self-awareness, it’s impossible to have integrity, because you aren’t being honest with yourself. People can see through that, and you won’t build trust,” Alena explains. Radical self-honesty allows you to lead with compassion and empathy, and create an environment where others can tap into their potential. 

Furthermore, Alena believes authentic leaders are motivated by inner passion and mission, not external rewards or validation. They have clarity on their purpose, and desire to serve people and create positive impact. Rather than leading from the top of the hierarchy, authentic leaders go beneath others to uplift and inspire them. They understand that empowering everyone to operate in their zone of genius creates an ecosystem of success.

The Impact of Authentic Leadership in Business

One of the biggest challenges for Alena in implementing these philosophies was learning to welcome the full spectrum of emotions. “I was taught from a young age that showing my emotions was wrong—especially negative ones,” she shares. 

Choosing to prioritize authenticity required her to be open, honest, and vulnerable, which was uncomfortable at first, but ultimately provided enormous returns. 

By bringing these values into her business, she built a company based on transparency, emotional safety, and empowerment. Her team excelled in a culture of collaboration. This shift not only propelled economic growth, but also afforded her the freedom to travel the world, spend more time with her family, and develop her passion project, I Am Creation Retreats. 

The Mission of I Am Creation Retreats

I Am Creation Retreats are transformative events designed to help entrepreneurs tap into their full potential and discover more purpose, impact, and fulfillment. Alena started these retreats as a platform for business leaders to embody authentic leadership, create coherence between their minds, hearts, and bodies, and ignite impactful change in the world.

World-class facilitators bring many different modalities together to create breakthrough results in just a few days. Alena remarks, “People are finally able to take off the mask of who they think they should be, connect deeply to others, and discover the mission and impact they were born for.”

For Alena, these retreats have been deeply meaningful and fulfilling. She says, “They have allowed me to become the source of the transformation I want to see in the world.”

Embodying Purpose and Integrity in Entrepreneurship 

Alena Uzhnyeva’s journey towards authentic leadership and the founding of I Am Creation Retreats exemplify the power of aligning one’s values with actions. By fostering a culture of trust, empowerment, and collaboration, Alena has not only transformed her business but also created a platform for others to unleash their true potential. Her story is a testament to the transformative impact of authentic leadership and the importance of leading with purpose and integrity.

Published by: Martin De Juan