Meet A’Lexus Kealon: CEO of Abide Adventures

We had the good fortune of connecting with A’Lexus Kealon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi A’Lexus, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind me creating Abide Adventures was my passion for traveling. I have traveled out of the country about 4-5 times and each time I come back with such greater insight on the world, and just a better appreciation of life. I know many women who desire to travel, but don’t know where to start, or feel like they don’t have the funds to travel but I want to make that possible through Abide Adventures. The second part of why I started my own business is because I wanted to meet new people and develop genuine friendships with women who were likeminded, and who were headed in the same direction as well as I wanted those who were longing for genuine friendship also to have a space to make those connections.

What should our readers know about your business?
Abide adventures launched to create a distinctive space for women who are desiring growth in their faith, friendships and cultural enlightenments. Abide Adventures encourages women to discover their purpose while becoming apart of a humbling experience to see through a new lens. The Abide Tribe provides faith based adventures,international trips, excursions and other local events for women. Abide Adventures stands solely on the scripture John 15:5 in which we are instructed to remain or “Abide” in Christ with everything we do, for we cannot do anything on our own strength. One thing I am most excited about doing through Abide Adventures is going on international trips with different women and really developing some genuine meaningful relationships through such an impactful journey. Being that this business was launched during a pandemic made it harder for me to really pursue all that I have planned for Abide Adventures, however I know that through consistency and taking it one day at a time it will become all that was in the vision. There are many challenges that come with being a small business owner and starting from scratch. I’ve dealt with discouragement in so many ways that has caused me to be stagnant in some areas of my business. What helped me to overcome these challenges was remembering why I started and remembering the vision God gave me for Abide Adventures. The most important lesson that I have learned through this process so far is no matter what the outcome is, no matter how many likes you are getting, or who is clapping for you, always stay consistent through it all. One thing I want the world to know about my brand is that it is founded on love and genuine support of women from all backgrounds to guide them into being the best version of themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Girls Week in Atlanta itinerary: •Day 1- Arrive/ freshen up, Relax, girls spa night( face mask & matching robes) order food to be delivered & girl talk. •Day 2: cook breakfast, get ready for our day, Activity 1 : top golf or escape room & lunch. Then to Lenox mall for shopping. For dinner we go to Slutty Vegan. •Day 3: Exploring day ! Brunch: “Breakfast at Barney’s” then head to sight see the home of Martin Luther King Jr. along with other national historical sites. Lunch & the Atlanta Botanical gardens and finish day off at the Trap museum. •Day 4: Georgia aquarium & Dinner at “The Garden Room” a cute insta-worthy dinner spot located in the St. Regis Hotel. •Day 5: Grab togo breakfast and head to Six flags over Georgia ( My girls and I like to have fun) and end the night at Ponce city Market for a beautiful skyline, and a wide variety of food and things to do. Girl’s week (Charlotte edition) itinerary: •Day 1: Paint and sip night or vision board night in Airbnb. Dinner: Cuzzo’s cuisine •Day 2: Breakfast at The Flying Biscuit & then go to Carrowinds for rides & fun. Dinner at Optimist Hall (a food hall for all my foodies with tons of dining options and great food & a great hangout spot). •Day 3: Brunch at Tupelo Honey and then spend the day at the U.S National WhiteWater Center for whitewater rafting, rock climbing, zip lining and more. Cook big dinner at Airbnb and enjoy and watch a movie. •Day 4: Brunch at Haberdish and head out for fun in the city. Pack lunch for picnic style lunch at Romare Bearden Park for beautiful city views and relaxing atmosphere. Then get on the Charlotte Comedy City bus tour. Finish night at Fahrenheit for amazing views of Charlotte’s skyline and great food. •Day 5: Quick breakfast at Midnight Diner and head to South Park mall for a shopping/ relaxed day. Finish night at Lost & Found ( a cute Instagram worthy restaurant/lounge with cute food& drink options)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The business plan of Abide Adventures is something that God has given me over 4 years ago. I talked about the details of what I wanted to create to my closest friends and my husband who I have gotten so much motivation from. Having conversations with my close friends about goals, aspirations and business ideas really helped me to step outside of my comfort zone and to begin putting my business ideas to work. Being told for so long by my loved ones to start my business was a very scary moment for me, and I didn’t know where to start. By the time I was ready to finally begin, the pandemic hit; but I knew it was still time to launch everything God had put on the inside of me. So huge shoutout to God for giving me such detailed and creative ideas, as well as my close friends and my husband who gave me constant encouragement and the extra push to get started.

Website: www.theabideadventures.com

Instagram: Business: @theabideadventures Personal: @alexus.z.k

Facebook: Abide Adventures

Youtube: A’Lexus Hardin

Image Credits
Photographer : Anthony Jefferson @certiphied_gold Makeup :Amirah Burnett “Beats by Mi” @resilent_mi