We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Peralta and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexis, how do you think about risk?
I’ve always been naturally risk-averse. I don’t like gambling, taking chances, or the feeling of losing. That was just who I was—until life showed me a different path.
In college, my best friend and I decided to start a crafting business together. We were both artists and loved spending time making crafts, so it felt like the perfect fit. I got the idea from someone I knew at the time who was thriving by selling her crafts on Etsy. I thought, “I love art, and I’ve always said it would be my career!”
So, we got to work, pouring time and energy into creating a little bit of everything, especially hair bows. We invested heavily in materials from Michaels, Joann’s, and local bead shops. But despite our enthusiasm, the business never quite took off. Eventually, I had to pause the project to focus on college and work, and I ran out of funds. That was my first experience with failure in business.
It didn’t feel great, and I lost a lot of money, but surprisingly, it didn’t discourage me—it inspired me! Instead of giving up, I started asking myself, “What can I do better next time? How can I be more organized? What goals should I set, and what approach will I take?” I realized I had an entrepreneurial spirit long before I knew what it even meant.
That was in 2015. Fast forward to 2021, and I founded my first LLC—AP Specialties! This time, I was inspired by my mentor who owned the company that was contracted by organization we worked for.
While this new business isn’t about crafts or artwork, it’s still driven by my creative and entrepreneurial passion. After all, I’ve always been an artist at heart. Growing up, I was constantly drawing, seizing any opportunity to create. But as I entered the workforce, I found myself falling in love with Project Management.
In project management, I discovered that failure isn’t just okay—it’s a necessary part of learning and growing. Through continuous improvement methodologies, I learned to embrace risk because it often leads to valuable lessons.
From overcoming my first business failure to accepting risks as part of the journey, I’ve come to appreciate how vital these experiences are. Knowing successful business owners personally has only fueled my desire to start my own company and share what I’ve learned. I believe if I can do it, anyone can!
What I learned from my past experiences has been instrumental in building AP Specialties from the ground up. Combining my artistic background, entrepreneurial drive, and the skills I’ve gained as a Project Manager, I’m excited to take this venture to new heights.
What should our readers know about your business?
Have you ever felt lost or unsure about how to approach something? Maybe you’ve been overwhelmed by an overload of information, struggling to organize, create a plan, prioritize tasks, or simply manage the stress that comes with it all. Finances, project management, and IT systems can be complex, time-consuming, and frustrating. That’s where I come in.
I specialize in helping people navigate these challenges by tailoring my approach to their unique needs. Everyone learns and processes information differently, so I focus on providing personalized guidance. Whether you are a small business owners or helping aspiring entrepreneurs, AP Specialties is here to support their journey whether you are seeking mentor or a pro service provider.
But that’s not all! As I’ve mentioned before, I’m still an artist at heart with a deep passion for video games. Alongside the services I offer, I also provide something very special to me: Game Art. It’s a way for me to stay connected to my field of study and my biggest passion.
While game studios are focused on creating amazing games, the business side is just as important and shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether it’s managing business operations or working directly in the dev room, I’m equally enthusiastic excited contribute to a growing game studio!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It really depends on what you’re into because there’s something for everyone! Personally, I love exploring new places—trying out different coffee shops, discovering unique stores, and sampling new foods. That’s more on the laid-back side, but if you’re into more active adventures and don’t mind breaking a sweat, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
I’m a big fan of hiking and being in nature. South Mountain is a beautiful spot for that. If you prefer something more urban, longboarding or skating around Tempe Town Lake is an amazing experience, especially at night!
Speaking of night, the nightlife here is pretty great, too. Mill Avenue, Old Town Scottsdale, and Downtown Phoenix all have cool bars and events happening regularly. And if you haven’t been to a goth rave yet, that’s something you definitely need to experience!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Here’s an improved version of your text:
A friend of mine from college, Tyrone Jemison, is the only person I know who truly put his money where his mouth is. He invested both time and resources into launching his own VR gaming company, Robot Punch.
We’ve remained good friends and even worked together, as I had the opportunity to help him with a few things during the early stages of his business.
Website: https://apspecialtiesllc.studio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexis_the_project_god/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-peralta-ap/