DRESSED in bold, bright outfits, Mount Gambier mother and business woman Ali Villani is not afraid to explore her inner child and encourage others to feel comfortable in their own skin.
Gone are the days when she felt stuck behind a desk, analysing numbers in her pinstripe suit, confined to the rigid definitions of what was acceptable in the corporate world.
Today, the successful entrepreneur is more likely to be found wearing bold colours and tutus and is on the way to publishing her second book aimed at encouraging children to be themselves.
Produced in partnership with her Entrepreneurial Babes business partner Nic Cunningham, Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn is based on Ms Villani’s personal story of discovering her true self and shares the message with young people that it is okay to be you.
“From the age of five I knew I was a bit different, I loved to sing and dance, I could hear music inside of me and I saw everything in bright colours – then life happened,” she said.
“I soon realised it was not all rainbows and unicorns – I lost that fun-loving, shiny, sparkly unicorn inside of me and all of the music and bright colours disappeared.”
After a life-changing incident in 2012, Ms Villani said she knew it was time to take personal responsibility for everything that she had created in her life.
“Part of my journey has been the creation of Entrepreneurial Babes, a transformational coaching business and online community for entrepreneurial women that I founded with Nic in 2016,” she said.
“We have built an online community called Action Hours, which is a group of amazing women who have a desire to step up, claim the space and be the best version of themselves.”
Ms Villani said she would often share her love for all things shiny and sparkly and show up to the sessions wearing a pink tutu.
“It would remind me of what it was like to be a young girl with dreams before my life experiences got in the way and I lost who I was,” she said.
“The other women started calling me Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn and would send me unicorn gifts in the mail, from wall posters, to plush toys, coffee mugs, t-shirts and even unicorn leggings.
“On March 16 this year at 4.44am – which is the time I get up in the morning – I jumped out of bed, turned on the computer and the words for the book just flowed out – Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn the children’s character was born.”
Business partner Ms Cunningham is just as passionate about the book and said it will provide parents, carers and teachers with an engaging tool to share the message that it is okay to be yourself.
“What we are facing in our youth and as adults today is scary – anxiety, depression and suicide are on the rise,” she said.
“If we can start educating young people about self-awareness, personal responsibility and to be proud of who they are, using a fun-loving shiny, sparkly character, then maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference.”
Ms Cunningham said they have plans to expand Ali the unicorn’s message through affirmation cards for children, plush toys and children’s meditation and mindfulness tools.
“Ali the Shiny Sparkly Unicorn is a very special character with a huge future, however she just needs some help to get kick- started,” she said.
In order to get the book published and on shelves across the country, the pair have started a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of the book.
People are able to pledge to the campaign and in return will receive a range of rewards, including copies of the book once published.
The aim will raise $12,000 by September 30 to cover production and publishing costs.
Visit kickstarter.com/projects/130369170/ali-the-shiny-sparkly-unicorn-childrens-book to learn more and make a pledge.
