As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Aliyah Kizilbash.
Aliyah Kizilbash is the founder of TaxBack, an AI-powered platform helping businesses streamline property tax appeals through automation and innovation. A former tax firm owner turned tech entrepreneur, Aliyah is passionate about creating solutions that make complex processes easier and more accessible.
She’s also the host of Aliyah & Co., a podcast where she explores topics like business, mindset, and reinvention with leaders and changemakers. Through her work and content, Aliyah is committed to empowering women to break barriers in tech, business, and beyond.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur in the AI industry, and what led to the creation of your current venture?
I started a property tax firm and built some tech just to keep myself organized, because quite frankly… the process is a mess. It’s repetitive, tedious, and filled with all these little details that change case by case. Eventually, I realized it wasn’t just me, a lot of other people were struggling with the same thing. That’s when I started thinking beyond simple tools and looking at how AI could solve these problems at scale.
At first, I didn’t fully understand AI — it felt like this complicated, layered thing reserved for technical experts. But it’s not magic; it’s just logic and data solving problems more efficiently. You don’t need to be an engineer — you just need to understand enough to lead and ask the right questions.
As a woman in tech and entrepreneurship, what unique challenges have you faced, especially in the AI space, and how did you navigate them?
AI can feel complicated and closed-off, and there’s a lot of gatekeeping in how people talk about it. The truth is, this isn’t just a challenge for women — it’s a challenge for anyone stepping into AI without a technical background.
For me, the challenge was learning enough to lead with confidence, ask the right questions, and not get caught up in feeling like I didn’t belong. Staying curious has been key — it’s how I’ve figured things out and continued to learn along the way.
You don’t need to be an engineer to use AI. What really helped me was realizing you don’t have to master everything before you start. Confidence comes from taking action, not from waiting until you feel fully qualified.
How do you manage the intense demands of building an AI-driven business while maintaining personal well-being and balance?
Balance isn’t about splitting everything evenly. There are times when my business requires more of my energy, and I give it my full attention. Other times, my kids need more of me. And sometimes, I need to completely unplug, no guilt. That’s how I stay grounded.
The way I see it: you can’t achieve anything if you’re burned out. Maintaining balance isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about making sure I have the energy and clarity to keep building, to show up for my family, and to go after everything I want. If you don’t protect your peace, you won’t have the stamina to achieve big things.
What networking strategies or communities have helped you most in building meaningful connections in the AI and tech ecosystem?
Be around people who think big. That’s really it. Whether it’s through communities, events, or even who you follow online, that energy is contagious.
I look for rooms where people are building, growing, and sharing ideas. I avoid transactional networking. Real connections come from shared goals and honest conversations, not just swapping business cards.
How do you approach mentorship—both receiving it and offering it—and how has that influenced your growth as a founder in this space?
Ask for help. Be clear about what you need. Nobody can help you if you’re busy trying to look like you don’t need it.
I’ve learned to let people in, to be honest about what I’m figuring out, and to ask direct questions. That’s how you get real answers.
I also mentor other women, especially those breaking into tech and AI, because I know how hard it is to figure things out alone. Even just being around people who are open to learning and growth brings me energy. Watching others level up reminds me how far I’ve come, and it inspires me to keep going.
What strategies have proven most effective in acquiring customers or clients for your AI product or service?
Building relationships and fostering trust has been key. I’ve partnered with consultants who already have credibility and access to the clients we want to reach. It’s a win-win — they strengthen their network by bringing valuable solutions, and we solve a real problem together. At the end of the day, people trust people more than they trust a cold pitch or a website.
Which marketing techniques (digital, content, events, etc.) have worked best for your brand, and how do you measure their impact?
Thought leadership has been huge, speaking on panels, writing content, sharing ideas. It’s not about selling; it’s about showing up with something valuable to say.
I measure success by the quality of the conversations that come from it. Are people reaching out? Are they asking the right questions? Are they turning into real opportunities? If yes, it’s working.
Can you share a major setback or roadblock in your AI startup journey, and how you strategically overcame it?
As a non-technical founder, one of my biggest challenges was learning how to talk about AI in a way that’s clear, credible, and relevant. There’s a big difference between using ready-made tools and building something custom that’s actually designed for your business. A lot of people don’t understand that. I had to learn how to explain it to technical teams, to partners, and to clients.
On top of that, AI evolves fast. Staying informed and keeping up with how things shift is part of the job. You don’t have to build the tech yourself, but you do need to understand enough to lead with confidence and stay relevant.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to women who are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey in AI or emerging tech?
Jump in where you are. You don’t have to know everything before you start.
AI feels big and intimidating from the outside, but it’s more accessible than people make it seem. Tools like ChatGPT can teach you faster than any textbook. Stay curious. Ask questions. Figure it out as you go.
Is there a quote, mantra, or philosophy that consistently guides your decisions as an AI entrepreneur?
“Be the person you want to meet.”
Any time you admire someone, it’s usually because they’re reflecting something you want to see in yourself. That admiration is just showing you what’s possible for you, too. Instead of putting people on a pedestal, I remind myself to embody the qualities I respect… whether that’s confidence, kindness, ambition, or resilience. That’s how you keep growing.
5 Ways To Overcome Self-Doubt and Build Confidence:
- Validate yourself. Stop waiting for someone to give you permission.
- Be kind to yourself. The way you speak to yourself shapes everything.
- Put yourself first sometimes. Protect your energy — you can’t pour from empty.
- Get uncomfortable. I’ve never grown while feeling comfortable. Every time I’ve grown, it’s been because I allowed myself to get uncomfortable.
- Stop caring what people think. Most people aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are. Just go do it!
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be?
I’d like to inspire people to realize how much their thoughts shape their reality. A lot of us live in our own heads, being harsh and critical without even realizing it. That negativity consumes you and it affects how you feel, how you show up, and how you navigate life.
If more people understood they have the power to change their thoughts, they’d show themselves more compassion. They’d feel better, live better, and stop letting limiting beliefs dictate what’s possible.
AI can support this by offering tools and insights to help people become more aware of their patterns. But awareness is just the first step. You still have to do the work in real life- take action, make changes, and show up differently. AI can show you the path, but it can’t walk it for you.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Aliyah is the founder of TaxBack, a property tax technology platform helping businesses simplify complex processes through AI and automation. She’s also the host of Aliyah & Co., a podcast exploring business, mindset, and growth. Through her work, speaking engagements, and podcast, Aliyah is passionate about empowering women to break barriers in tech, entrepreneurship, and beyond. You can follow her on Instagram at @AliyahKizilbash and on YouTube at @aliyahandcopodcast for updates on her latest projects and conversations.
