Empowering Voices: An Exclusive Interview with Victoria Alario, Podcast Phenomenon of ‘For The Girls’
Welcome to our latest interview, where we have the pleasure of featuring Victoria Alario, the dynamic 29-year-old force behind the hit podcast ‘For The Girls.’ With a staggering nearly 2 million downloads across 118 riveting episodes, Victoria has captured the hearts and minds of a devoted audience worldwide. Her fearless mentoring and candid conversations have made her a beacon for girls and women of all ages aspiring to enrich their lives.
Covering a wide range of topics from dating and relationships to entrepreneurship, work ethic, friendships, self-reflection, and practical life advice, Victoria has established herself as the must-watch podcaster of 2024. If you’re looking to elevate your standards and dive deep into meaningful content, Victoria’s journey and insights are not to be missed.
Follow Victoria @victoria.alario
Hi Victoria, please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Victoria! I’m 29, and I’m a former fashion PR girly turned multi-passionate entrepreneur. I’m the host of For The Girls Podcast, a Confidence Coach, content creator, and the founder of Vicsen The Label. Everything I do revolves around boosting confidence and self esteem, and helping women and girls step into their unapologetic selves.
Describe yourself in three words.
Confident, honest, empathetic
Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your career?
My past self and all of the goals she had.
What inspired you to start the “For the Girls” podcast, and how do you choose the topics you cover?
For The Girls never felt like a decision, it was a natural step I was bound to take in my life. I’d always been the friend people came to for advice, and as a content creator I always spoke my mind on my beliefs and everything I was passionate about. I was constantly asked for more, so I knew I wanted to be able to share more insight and advice for my audience in a more impactful way. It was always on my heart and just made so much sense to start! I cover a variety of topics that all the girls can relate to in some way: dating & relationships, friendships, career, entrepreneurship, self esteem, singleness, health & wellness, energy, intentional living, and so much more. I always stay true to myself, so I choose to discuss what’s on my heart and mind each week, so it’s kind of hard to plan too far out in advance because even when a topic sounds like a good idea, weeks from now I may have something weighing heavier on me that I need to get off my chest.
Could you share a particularly memorable moment or episode from the podcast and what made it stand out for you?
I’d say having my best friend Ally on For The Girls has got to be the most memorable and ended up being so iconic. I originally had her on for just a ‘Girl Chat’ episode where we talked about anything and everything, unfiltered. She talked about how she probably doesn’t want to have kids, how the thought of childbirth was petrifying to her, and how she can’t imagine having to take care of children when she’d rather put herself first. Three weeks later, she got pregnant. So of course, I had her back on to have an interview discussing everything and reflecting on our previous episode. We had such an amazing conversation around pregnancy and her new found faith in God, and it was so special. She now has a beautiful 2 month old baby girl, and she’s the best mommy ever!
How do you ensure that your podcast remains inclusive and empowering for all women, considering the diverse challenges they face?
My podcast is certainly not a one size fits all kind of deal! I’ve had girls wholeheartedly resonate to one topic, while completely disagree and not be able to relate to another. I have all different guests on the show with different backgrounds, ages, races, careers, mindsets, and I know different listeners will resonate with each one a little differently. I’m OK with knowing not every episode will be for everyone, because I make sure I change up the conversation every week. I never want to put myself in a hole and stick to one topic, even down to relationship status, some episodes will be about date night ideas for your long term relationship, while another will be about tips for your single season. It’s all about finding the episodes that match YOU!
Vicsen The Label is described as more than just a lingerie brand; it’s a confidence movement. What was the motivation behind creating a brand with such a strong ethos?
Lingerie often feels raunchy and risqué, rather than chic and sophisticated. I knew women needed lingerie that made them feel confident, with elegant, timeless designs that never go out of style. I made the pieces wearable, whether you’re in or out of the house. Our best seller, the Camille Bodysuit, has been tagged hundreds of times in girls OOTN photos for date night or a girl’s night out! I knew I could take my background in the fashion industry and my career in business and confidence coaching, and merge the two to bring one brand to life. And so, we created a Vicsen, (an homage to the word vixen, but blending Victoria and sensuality together instead). A Vicsen is a woman who exudes confidence, femininity, and she embodies high standards and always raises the bar.
What inspired your latest collection?
My timeless love for lace, silk, and corsets! Even since a young age, I naturally gravitated to a very feminine style…the details and intricacy, the daintiness, and the beauty and femininity of it all had me captivated. Even my 8th grade prom dress with a black and white lace corset dress from Bebe (throwback!). My Sweet 16 theme was Moulin Rouge, and I had to design my own dress because no one made exactly what I was looking for. I always knew there was something missing from the pieces I would see in stores: timelessness and luxury, so I created a collection of exactly that to represent what has always made me feel the most confident.
What does a typical day look like for you, juggling multiple roles as a podcast host, content creator, confidence coach, and founder of a lingerie brand?
I have to give myself a lot of grace in regards to managing my time and being a young woman in general with a personal life. I set aside time on specific days to spend on each project, and I try to never overlap those things, so I won’t coach a client on the same day as recording a podcast episode. I really like to create content that pertains to my life that day so that it doesn’t feel like work. For example, if I am actually cooking a meal, I’ll create content out of that. I try as much as I can to make my work feel authentic and natural, so it never feels like a chore.
In an era where digital presence is critical, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build their brand online?
Build a community first and foremost. You learn early on what your audience likes to hear and doesn’t really care to hear. Pay attention to what lands well, what gets you feedback, and what doesn’t really work for you, and then lean into it. Put your audience first, before all your crazy ideas, and be able to gauge if they would respond well to it or not.
How do you measure success, personally and professionally?
In my experience, I measure my success by having time freedom. I really struggled conforming to a 9–6 job, it was just how my brain always operated, so I was hustling during any ounce of free time I had, including my lunch break at work. I was willing to do whatever it took to be able to work for myself, and I’ve been self employed for 6 years now. It’s never been about the dollar amount in my bank account, because trust me, that comes and goes. But I love the freedom to manage my time exactly how I want.
What do you think is the secret to having a successful IG account?
It’s going to sound cliche, but most importantly, is by being yourself. Everyone wants Alix Earle’s results, so they try to be like her. But Alix Earle grew her following by being ALIX EARLE, so you can’t grow YOUR following by trying to be HER! Secondly, create an abundance of content and be prepared to post daily. Nobody wants to hear this, but if you’re still in that growing phase, you truly can’t miss a day. It’s a lot, but so worth it!
What’s next for Victoria Alario in 2024?
More amazing and insightful guests on For The Girls, and I’ll be launching my digital 8 week course ‘Queens of Confidence’ soon!
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
You’re allowed to slow down… I was always in a rush, as if I was in a race that I needed to win. I’m grateful that I was so ambitious and independent because it got me here, but I also wish I allowed myself more time to just be young.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
Honestly, anything by the Jonas Brothers! When they come on, I can’t hold back.
Name one of your strengths.
Vulnerability
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sleeping in and having bagels for breakfast with my boyfriend, and then going to my grandparents house for dinner with my entire family!
What do you think of social media?
I think perception is everything, social media is simply a tool, and your perception decides how you use that tool. Some see social media in a negative light because they use it to compare themselves to others. I use it for good, simply to share advice, build a community, and make content around my lifestyle, so I don’t fall into the comparison trap.
Where can we follow you?
I’m on TikTok and Instagram @victoria.alario, For The Girls is on TikTok and Instagram @forthegirls.podcast and Youtube @forthegirls. And of course, you can listen to For The Girls everywhere podcasts are streaming!