Patrika Alis

Introduction and Welcome

Taryell Simmons: All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another episode of Rise Urban Nation, the podcast that highlights transformative journeys of black and pan-African innovators, changemakers, and culture shifters. I am your host, Terrell Simmons, and today's guest is a force of nature. She is a tech consultant, a travel content creator, a keynote speaker, and an advocate for sustainable tourism. You may know her from her podcast, Destination Journey, or as the founder of Roundology. Please welcome the incredible Patrika Elise Chastain to the show.

Patrika Alis: Thank you so much.

Taryell Simmons: I love all the photos in the background there. Do each of them represent something in space and time, or tell me about these photos in the background?

Patrika Alis: They do. These are all moments from my travels. Some of them are from places that I have lived, like Philadelphia. But then you have got Spain, New York, Poland, Denmark, and Seattle. I got to travel all over the country and see how different people live. It has been an incredible experience and it has really shaped my perspective.

Taryell Simmons: I love that. I love traveling too. Now that I know you, I am going to take notes and call you because I will be traveling a lot soon around the world. I need somebody who has done it to give me the tips on a budget. Welcome to the show. Remind me again, how did we get connected?

Patrika Alis: I am working with an amazing guy named Sayeed. He is a podcast booking agent and he showed me your show. I instantly fell in love and wanted to have a conversation with you. Shout out to Sayeed for that.

Taryell Simmons: Big shout out to Sayeed. Before we dive into your story, where in the world are you joining us from today and what is inspiring you right now?

Patrika Alis: I am right outside of Greensboro, North Carolina, where I was born. I lived all over the place, but got to come back home a couple of years ago and fell in love with it all over again. What is inspiring me right now is the springtime. There is something about the spring where things are starting to bloom that gives me an entirely new energy.

Career Beginnings: From Brand Ambassador to Tech Marketing

Taryell Simmons: Let us start at the beginning. You have had an incredibly diverse career journey. What initially drew you into the world of tech and travel? And how did you discover your passion for helping Black women own their career growth?

Patrika Alis: My first job ever was as a brand ambassador, handing out promotional items at events throughout college. I went to college for journalism and communications hoping to be a news anchor. But once I got into that world, I realized doing morning shows required arriving at 3 a.m., which was not a good fit for me. I took what I learned from being a brand ambassador and transitioned into marketing. When I worked in corporate, I was one of the only Black women in the marketing department. My parents always encouraged me to pursue whatever I set my mind to, but I quickly realized there were not many people who looked like me in those rooms. When I switched to startups, there were even fewer Black people.

Taryell Simmons: It has not changed very much, I promise you.

Patrika Alis: Working in startups allowed me to be in rooms directly under the CMO or talking to the CEO, which was not accessible in corporate. But being the only Black woman in a company of 25 to 50 people feels uncomfortable. There were cultural references and shared memories that were missing, and there were not many people for me to look up to who understood my struggle. I had to seek out spaces to connect with Black women who were doing what I hoped to do, because mentorship is essential.

Taryell Simmons: Mentorship is so important. I sit on the board of a nonprofit called Village Up where we have candid conversations around tech and entrepreneurship. Successful women of color often deal with glass ceilings and impostor syndrome in male-dominated spaces. There is significant risk in speaking out because calling out problems can put a target on your back.

Patrika Alis: Yes, it can be very dangerous for women if they are perceived as too outspoken, but it is important to bring these conversations to light.

Pop Culture Parallels and Pivotal Career Moments

Taryell Simmons: This brings to mind the show Severance and a breakdown by Afro Deja about the character Milchick navigating corporate survival in white workplaces. You have written about the mental and emotional impact of microaggressions, burnout, and being overlooked in tech. What was one pivotal moment that made you decide to take control of your narrative and career path?

Patrika Alis: It started when I worked for a tech company based in Paris. We sponsored a conference and needed someone to speak and present a case study. Management initially planned to send senior representatives, but I advocated for myself as the US marketing manager and presented the talk. It was very well received, and even the CEO reached out with praise. If I had not advocated for myself, it would have delayed my speaking career. That led me to speak at HubSpot's Inbound conference in 2018. To stand out among technical pitches, I created a talk titled Not So Sexy Marketing about working in less glamorous sectors like email marketing and legal compliance. Over a thousand people attended the session, requiring an encore presentation. That experience taught me to be unafraid of putting myself out there authentically.

Transitioning to Consulting and Building Roundology

Taryell Simmons: What were the first steps you took to shift into consulting and creative entrepreneurship?

Patrika Alis: While working with startups, I paid attention to leadership conversations and asked questions. Once I understood what businesses needed, I shaped simple packages around social media and video editing. People ultimately want you to solve their problems and give them their time back. My first major consulting client needed event support. Because of my extensive event experience, I crafted an offer addressing their exact pain points. That turned into a partnership lasting nearly four years. My very first freelance contract was only $100, but starting small allowed me to build a portfolio and reputation.

Taryell Simmons: Many entrepreneurs get caught up chasing big numbers without listening to the client's actual needs. What advice do you have for someone in tech who feels unseen or stuck?

Patrika Alis: You are getting older anyway, so do the thing and see what happens. Do not get trapped by arbitrary timelines like needing to reach a specific title by age 30. Taking small actions kickstarts momentum. Whether it is sending a LinkedIn message or introducing yourself at a conference, each small step makes you bolder.

Integrating Storytelling, Tourism, and Modern Travel Guides

Taryell Simmons: You blend marketing, tourism, speaking, and consulting. How do you stay grounded and strategic while wearing so many hats?

Patrika Alis: It comes down to self-awareness and alignment with core goals. At my core, I am passionate about telling stories. Marketing allows me to tell brand stories, working in tech lets me share the experience of underrepresented professionals, and speaking empowers audiences to own their stories. When I pitched a major event project with a half-million-dollar budget, the CEO tested me by asking for an impromptu speech on the value of events. I delivered it on the spot and earned the contract.

Taryell Simmons: How did your podcast Destination Journey and your tourism initiatives come about?

Patrika Alis: Traveling with my family as a kid ignited my passion for exploring different cultures. Later, solo travel taught me independence and self-reliance. I started the podcast to tell travel stories and highlight the Black travel experience. Given current safety concerns for marginalized and LGBTQIA+ travelers, I am developing a project inspired by the historical Green Book to identify safe destinations and provide travel resources. Through my agency Roundology, I also assist smaller destination marketing organizations and startups with storytelling and growth strategies.

Empowering and Amplifying Black Women

Taryell Simmons: What advice do you give Black women breaking ceilings or pivoting to entrepreneurship?

Patrika Alis: Learn when to participate strategically in corporate environments to gain knowledge without compromising your identity. Knowledge is something no one can take away from you. Use that insight to build your own business or secure better opportunities. Additionally, allies can support Black women by actively making space for them to speak in meetings, crediting their ideas, and publicly recognizing their achievements.

Taryell Simmons: What mindset shift has made the biggest difference in your journey?

Patrika Alis: Asking myself: Why not me? Whenever self-doubt arises, I remind myself that others who succeed simply chose not to talk themselves out of opportunities. Reframing your mindset around that question opens doors to speaking, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Taryell Simmons: Where can our listeners connect with you?

Patrika Alis: You can find me across social media and LinkedIn at Patrika Elise. My personal website is patrikaalise.com, and my marketing agency is roundology.co.