Hi Audacious Beauties!
I realized you don't know much about me, except that I’ve attended many cultural events and that I enjoy sharing my closet with others. So, let’s start fresh.
My name is Alda Gjoka. If you look it up on Urban Dictionary, you’ll see that Alda means “old and wise.” When I turned 25 last year, and my nephew called me “unc,” I felt like I had fulfilled at least part of my name. As for the wise part, I don’t think I’ve lived, learned, or experienced enough yet to fully claim that title… but I’ll give myself credit for being smart.
Education & Early Life
Let me save you a trip to LinkedIn. I have a Bachelor’s in Finance with a Minor in Entrepreneurship (I knew who I was from a young age), followed by a Master of Science in Business Analytics with a Concentration in FinTech.
Throughout college, I worked as a bartender at a local beachside restaurant. However, entrepreneurship was never something I truly learned; it was something I grew up in.
My father immigrated to America from Albania with nothing and took a chance on himself by starting a construction company in 2003. While his risk laid the groundwork, my mother, who was a doctor in Albania, was the quiet force that supported it. Her unwavering faith in my father and in all of us taught me that dreams aren’t built on ambition alone, but on the people who choose to believe in them before they even exist.
At its peak, it employed over 50 people. As a child, I wasn’t just watching a business grow; I was witnessing a community form. I saw firsthand how a company could provide not just for one family, but for many. How the “work family” becomes a real family. I loved visiting job sites, meeting employees, and sometimes their families, realizing our connection existed because my father took a chance on himself.
At just 9 years old, I was promoted to assistant to our accountant. You might wonder what a 9-year-old could learn from that, but growing up in an immigrant family teaches you roles early—often so you can help your parents navigate unfamiliar systems. Soon, I was organizing ledgers, assisting the accountant in creating profit-and-loss statements, and organizing receipts (this was before everything was kept & tracked via technology).
Resilience Runs in My Blood
My father later handed the company to his brother and took another step, starting a lighting business in the Balkans. After 9 years, corruption in the Balkans forced him to return to the U.S. Still, he kept believing in himself.
In 2019, when he restarted his construction journey, I worked alongside him, applying what I remembered from childhood and what I was learning in college. He focused on service and leadership. I concentrated on the financial and operational structure. Within four years, he not only recovered but also reached new heights with a leaner team.
Together, we:
• Modernized operations
• Diversified income streams
• Invested in property and assets
• Acquired a car wash
• Restructured business models for long-term sustainability
Watching his highs and lows taught me one thing:
Life will always experience ups and downs, but you must always trust and believe in yourself.
The Crossroads
After finishing school, I was applying for corporate analyst or finance roles. I received an offer for a financial advisor position. And I faced a question: 'Why not take a chance on myself first?' I prayed to God for clarity in the decision: whether to follow the traditional 9-5 path or leap into something of my own. Soon after, while bartending, four men sat at my bar. During small talk, they asked what I did for a living. I asked them, "What do you think I do?" Three of them said, "You look like you own your own business." The fourth said I looked too young to have a full-time job, likely still in school. He wasn’t entirely wrong. Moments like that, along with others, felt like the signs that I had prayed for. So, I chose to take the leap.
I declined the offer and started building Audae Club.
Why Audae Exists
At its core, Audae was created to empower girls to feel confident. I’ve always loved sharing clothes with trusted friends and family (please don’t break my trust now). Even more, I enjoyed styling them and watching their confidence grow. Seeing someone light up when they feel beautiful is truly indescribable for me.
I also cherish memories, moments, and pictures. This connects to the excitement of eventful days in life. Whether it's being a bridesmaid, attending your best friend’s baby shower, or celebrating your mother-in-law’s 50th birthday, the list is endless. Each one is filled with events; not just the event itself, but a mix of ups and downs, beauty, and chaos. Everyone is there out of love (though some may harbor hatred). It’s such a beautiful day when viewed from all angles. That’s also why I believe every day should be celebrated and remembered.
Girls’ night once a month with your besties... honestly, the happiest nights…prove me wrong. Date night with your significant other... you're going to want a photo of the two of you to show your future kids! (Whether they're still in the picture or just someone from your past, you have to keep a memory! Or don't, your life!) I love it, all of it! Everything is so sentimental and should be remembered, and you should look audacious while experiencing it.
Other Silly Insights on Me
Moving on to some other small things about me. I love traveling. If there’s an opportunity to see a different place in the world, I take it. I believe it’s one of the greatest blessings, and you gain so much knowledge, peace, and happiness from doing it. My perspective, once again, guys, please. I also enjoy sewing, reading, and going to the beach. As much as I love New York, the lack of swimmable beaches is the only reason I could never see myself living there. That’s how important the beach is to me.
Now that you've gotten to know me, feel free to call me your audacious bestie because this is the most I've ever opened up to someone I just met.
xx - Your Audacious Bestie, Alda 🤍
