In this episode of Making It Happen, host Pauline Roth sits down with Alexa Ayala, co-owner of Apex Martial Arts in Wesley Chapel, FL. Alexa shares her incredible journey from working as a paralegal and nurse to running a thriving family business alongside her husband and son.

Alexa opens up about the wake-up call that pushed her to leave her corporate career and fully step into entrepreneurship—the medical emergency that reminded her to focus on what matters most: family, health, and purpose. She reflects on what it’s really like to work with her spouse every day, the challenges and rewards of blending marriage with business, and how her son Justin inspires her vision for the future of Apex Martial Arts.

Together, Alexa and Pauline dive into:

• The leap from a 9-to-5 career into full-time entrepreneurship.

• How a health scare reshaped Alexa’s priorities and perspective on life.

• The realities of working with your spouse—conflict, roles, and the surprising rewards.

• Lessons learned as a mom of an adult son and what she’d tell her younger self.

• Why believing in your family’s business and mission is essential for success.

• The importance of legacy, time freedom, and consistency in both business and life.

Alexa’s story is an inspiring reminder that success isn’t just about business growth—it’s about resilience, family, and building a legacy that lasts.

✨ Don’t miss this conversation filled with honesty, wisdom, and encouragement for anyone balancing family and entrepreneurship.

👉 For more resources and to join the Making It Happen community, visit PaulineRoth.com

Show Notes:

Guest: Alexa Ayala – Co-owner, Apex Martial Arts
Host: Pauline Roth

Key Topics Covered:

• [01:00] Alexa’s path from paralegal and nurse to martial arts business owner

• [02:30] The wake-up call that made her go “all in” on her family business

• [04:00] Experiencing a heart attack during a class—and how it changed everything

• [07:45] The rewards and challenges of working with her husband

• [13:00] Parenting insights: raising and guiding a 21-year-old son

• [16:30] Building a business legacy for the next generation

• [18:15] The hardest lessons (and biggest growth) as a business owner

• [20:00] Advice for moms considering joining their spouse’s business

• [22:00] Personal growth, perspective shifts, and defining success today

• [25:30] Stories of transformation from students and families at Apex Martial Arts

• [27:45] Alexa’s most valuable lessons from failure and how she applies them daily

• [31:00] Closing reflections: consistency, resilience, and making it happen