In a world where the intersection of innovation and determination is reshaping industries, Lona Alia stands as a beacon of what’s possible for women in business. From her roots as a Y Combinator W14 Founder to becoming a top-performing revenue leader, Lona has proven that ambition paired with expertise can propel a company’s growth from $5M to $40M. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established businesswoman, Lona’s journey offers invaluable insights into scaling revenue, mastering marketing, and driving demand generation in today’s competitive landscape. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the strategies that fuelled her success.
1. Journey to Success: Can you share your journey from being a start up founder to becoming
a top-performing revenue leader with over $40M ARR? What were some key challenges and
milestones?
My journey from founding a startup to leading a global revenue team with over $40M ARR
has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and perseverance. When I launched Style Lend, the
first Peer-to-Peer luxury fashion rental platform, I had a vision but no roadmap. Every step
was an adventure—sometimes exhilarating, often challenging. Building a business from
scratch taught me resilience, the importance of surrounding myself with the right people, and
how to turn obstacles into opportunities. These lessons have been invaluable in my current
role at SafetyWing, where I’ve been fortunate to scale revenue from $5M to $40M ARR.
Every milestone, from hiring the first employee to securing that crucial round of funding, has
shaped who I am today. The road to success has not been easy nor overnight but I am grateful
for all the tough times as they made me the person I am today. Adversity builds character!!
2. Remote Work Revolution: As a remote work expert, what do you see as the most
significant trends shaping the future of work, especially for digital nomads and remote
teams?
Remote work isn’t just a trend; it’s a revolution that’s reshaping the future of how we live
and work. As someone who has embraced this lifestyle, I’ve seen how it offers unparalleled
freedom to live our best lives, but also unique challenges. The biggest trends I see now
include the rise of asynchronous communication, which allows teams across time zones to
collaborate effectively, and the increasing importance of mental health. For digital nomads,
and remote workers it’s about finding the right balance—creating a sustainable work
environment that supports your personal well-being while allowing you to explore the world.
The future of work is about giving your team what they want to do their best work. So if
flexibility is what they need to be productive excellent. If it’s an office they need to go to
then so be it. But make talent central to your mission and you will never have to worry about
attracting and retaining the best.
3. Balancing Act: How do you balance the demands of being a founder, advisor, and revenue
leader while also managing a digital nomad family?
Balancing the roles of founder, advisor, and revenue leader while being a digital nomad with
a family is like walking a tightrope—but it’s one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s all
about priorities. My family is my anchor, and I’ve learned that being present with them, no
matter where in the world we are, is crucial. Professionally, I rely on clear communication
and trust in my teams, which allows me to delegate and focus on what matters most. It’s not
always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding to watch my children grow up experiencing the
world, all while I’m doing work that I’m passionate about.
4. Start up Insights: What advice would you give to female expats and entrepreneurs looking
to start their own businesses? Are there any specific challenges they should be prepared for?
To all the female expats and entrepreneurs out there thinking about starting your own
business—do it! Yes, it’s hard, and yes, there will be moments of doubt, but the journey is
worth every late night and every obstacle you overcome. Be prepared for a unique set of
challenges, from navigating different cultural landscapes to securing funding in industries
that might not always be welcoming. But don’t let that stop you. Surround yourself with a
strong support network, stay true to your vision, and remember that your unique perspective
as an expat is your superpower. Also, make sure to give yourself a time line or end date by
when you will make a decision of whether to continue the business or stop. Remember to
pay yourself what you are worth! And if the business is not paying you what you are worth
its time to exit.
5. Funding Journey: What was your experience with Y Combinator, and how did it impact
your career and business growth? Any tips for women looking to secure venture capital?
My time with Y Combinator was a game-changer. It wasn’t just about the funding; it was
about the community and the relentless focus on growth. Being part of YC pushed me to
think bigger, move faster, and stay focused on the end goal. For women looking to secure
venture capital, I’d say this: tell your story with confidence. Show investors why your vision
matters and how you’re going to make it a reality. And don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re
worth—you belong at that table.
6. Product Development: Can you share some insights on how you successfully built products
and revenue channels from scratch? What strategies worked best for you?
Building something from nothing is both an art and a science. At SafetyWing, we’ve
launched new products and revenue channels by staying deeply connected to our customers
and constantly iterating based on their feedback. The most successful strategies have come
from being open to change and willing to take risks. Don’t be afraid to experiment, fail fast,
and pivot when necessary. It’s all part of the journey.
7. Mentorship: As an advisor to start ups, what are some common mistakes you see new
entrepreneurs make, and how can they avoid them?
As an advisor to startups, I see so many new entrepreneurs making the same
mistakes—trying to do too much, too soon, or not validating their ideas with real customers.
My advice? Slow down. Focus on building a strong foundation before you scale. And don’t
underestimate the value of mentorship. Having someone who’s been there before guide you
through the tough times can make all the difference.
8: Innovation in Europe: How do you see the innovation landscape evolving in Europe,
particularly for female entrepreneurs? Are there any exciting trends or opportunities?
The innovation landscape in Europe is buzzing with opportunity, especially for female
entrepreneurs. I’m excited about the growing focus on impact-driven startups and the
increasing availability of funding for businesses that prioritise social and environmental
responsibility. Europe is becoming a hotbed for innovation, and it’s inspiring to see so many
women leading the charge. If you’re thinking about starting something new, now is the time.
9. Work-Life Integration: How do you maintain work-life balance while constantly traveling
as a digital nomad? What are some tips for staying productive on the move?
Living the digital nomad life is all about integration, not balance. It’s about finding harmony
between your work and your personal life, wherever you are in the world. For me, this means creating routines that ground me—whether it’s a morning meditation, a workout, or simply
taking a walk to explore a new city. It’s also about being present in the moment, whether I’m
in a business meeting or sharing a meal with my family. Staying productive on the move
requires discipline, but it also opens up a world of possibilities.
10. Empowering Women: What initiatives or programs do you believe are crucial for
supporting female expats, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads in achieving their goals and
thriving in their careers?
I’m passionate about supporting other women—whether they’re expats, entrepreneurs, or
digital nomads—because I know how powerful we can be when we lift each other up.
Initiatives that provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources are
crucial. We need more spaces where women can connect, share their experiences, and
support each other’s growth. Speaking of which, I just came back from a wellness retreat for
women in leadership organized by Mirrors Wellness Club. And let me tell you this was next
level. You know how men do business on the golf course, where is the eqivalent of that for
women? The founder of this club recognized there was a gap in the market and created this
event. It was hands down the best initiative I’ve ever been part of and I’ve been part of
many special things in the past. By empowering women through these events, they’re not
just helping individuals; they’re creating a ripple effect that can change the world.
Connect with Lona Ali:
About Lona:
🚀 Entrepreneurial Leader & Global Influencer: Founder of StyleLend; Head of Revenue at SafetyWing. Create, implement & scale revenue channels for distributed companies serving remote workers & digital nomads.
💡 Advisor & Innovator: Mentor to startups; EU for innovation advisor, enabling creative and disruptive business ecosystems.
🌐 Remote Team Pioneer: Top 50 Remote Work Influencer. Thought Leader with a following of 19,000 on LinkedIn comprised of CEOs, founders & C suite.
🌍 Globetrotter & Polyglot: Journeyed through 80+ countries, learned 7 languages, embracing cultural insights into business strategies.
🏗️ Impact-Driven Strategist: Passionate about building meaningful products, teams, and companies with a mission that transcends profit.
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