Meet Alisha Harris | Graphic Designer & Founder of Original Account Strategies

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alisha Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alisha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’d always had a vague dream about having my own business, but never knew quite what that would like in actuality. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was laid off from my restaurant job. All of a sudden, I needed to figure out both how I was going to earn a living and how I could meaningfully spend my time. My formal education is in theatrical costume design and Spanish communication so I’ve always had a strong interest in storytelling and visual expression. As my business has grown, I’ve used these ideas as a launch pad for the work that I do to help others share their share stories.

What should our readers know about your business?
Looking back to my first ideas in business, I never could have imagined the journey that would lead me to where I am now. When I started my business I was focused on providing administrative support to contractors in the construction industry. I loved playing such an important role in the daily lives of my clients yet I had a desire to do more creative work.

The first step that led me into design work was to actually put myself out there and offer my services. A lot of my clients at the time had no idea that I even had this skillset! I started with small projects like flyers and one-page business information sheets and moved into bigger projects like web page updates. Fast forward to today when people trust my team and I to create a complete vision for their business from their brand voice and messaging to their entire visual identity including their logo, their website, and their advertisements.

I am really fortunate to be able to work with clients across industries. A common thread is that they are all doing incredible work in their respective fields and my role is to help them shine a light on it and share it. Through helping others believe in their vision, I’ve learned to embrace that for myself. One of the biggest factors that led me to the work I’m doing today, was the trust in my story, my ideas, and the value that I provide. It’s a continual growing process and something that I am still learning to do more of, but it gets easier the more often I do it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends come to town, I’m never one to plan a full itinerary because I like to leave room for spontaneity. That being said, some of my favorite spots in Denver are places where lingering and relaxation are encouraged. In the mornings, we’d start with breakfast burritos at La Fuente. I can never have too much green chili so I like to get mine smothered. During the day we’d be outside, especially if it’s sunny. Sloan’s Lake is really fun to rollerblade around and both Joyride and Odell are breweries with great rooftop bars in the area. I also love strolling along the Platte River trail. Along the way we’d have to stop by Raices for beers and snacks in an incredibly vibrant taproom. One of my all time favorite places in Denver is Urban Sanctuary. It is a truly inclusive haven and they offer different yoga classes throughout the day. At some point during the trip, we’d go to Mutiny on Broadway for coffee, comic books, and cereal. We’d also stop by Tattered Cover because I don’t believe you can ever have too many books. No trip to visit me is complete without a nightcap or two at The Tatarian where the bartenders are really inventive and create some of the best cocktails in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I strongly believe that no one is an island and I am so grateful for the support that I have received in my life. I’ve got to give a huge shoutout to my family for believing my dreams and providing encouragement along the way. They are also there to help me through my frustrations, which is invaluable. Though we are spread throughout the country, we have a family group text thread that is always one of the highlights of my week. I also need to recognize the community leaders that have taken me under their wing and really helped me as I grow both personally and professionally. I really appreciate being given opportunities to try new things and being able to ask for guidance as I navigate through life. A few groups in particular that come to mind are the Black Construction Group and the GlobalMindED Young Professional Inclusive Leadership Council.

Website: https://originalaccountstrategies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalaccountstrategies/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisharharris/