Up until July 4, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, in collaboration with The Post, is featuring American citizens sharing their interpretations of the American Dream in 2026. One of the contributors is Alixandra Kriegsman, a Brooklyn entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and author.
When I first graduated, I was part of a large publishing company’s marketing team, but honestly, I was pretty unfulfilled. Something clicked for me when I listened to vendors pitching to my boss. One woman, in particular, stood out—she was one of the few female businesspeople who genuinely seemed intrigued by what I was doing. So, I reached out to her on LinkedIn. I said something like, “I’d love to learn from you. Are there any open positions at your company?”
To my surprise, I got hired in just two weeks. I started as a sales representative and that’s where I met my business partner, Alana.
Alana and I share a similar background, both of us having entrepreneurial parents. We also had a mutual interest in independent designers. It was almost destined when we kept bumping into each other at indie boutiques in Williamsburg, chatting about new brands and vendors we discovered at the flea market.
Eventually, we decided to create a newsletter to showcase these exciting emerging brands that had captured our interest. This led us to set up a straightforward e-commerce site, enabling anyone inspired by our newsletter to easily buy from those brands. It all started as a side project.
As for me, I feel like I’m living the American dream. Being creative is something I’ve always valued, and I’ve built a career that reflects that creativity. I’ve remained true to myself and carved a professional path that aligns with who I am.
That, to me, is the essence of the American dream. It’s about having the freedom to forge a life built on resilience, regardless of your background or the obstacles in your way. It’s about creating an authentic existence that makes you excited to wake up each morning.
The American Dream Video Project shares genuine stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. This series, presented by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), celebrates America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is a new cultural hub in Washington, DC, showcasing interactive exhibits and narratives about achieving the American dream. For more details, check out mcaad.org.
