Meet Alexandria Harper | Artist with a passion for design and all things storytelling

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

Hi Alexandria, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Comfort is that sweet spot where you know exactly what to expect. You have everything lined up: that comfy blanket in a room that’s the right side of chilly enough to get snuggly. The takeout meal begging to be devoured and the new season of your favorite show just ready to be binged. It’s comfortable, it’s relaxing, it’s safe. It’s the moments we’re all hustling for right?

Well, it’s also pretty boring. It’s mundane. It’s expected. It’s not the plot of the show everyone’s talking about. It’s not the story you tell at the bar that has everyone holding on to your every word. It’s a place of rest sure, but that’s about it.

Then you have the place of risk. Its the scary uncomfortable unknown. It’s where you fight your biggest fears, slay the baddest dragons, get the most battle scars, sure, but for those that persist and come out victorious, treasure awaits you. The stories of legends, the journey that transforms you. All that happens when you step off the boat. When you start the business on the side. When you go to the country and don’t know the language. When you do the unexpected, the uncomfortable, the scary, because you know that your comfort may be safe, but risks take you places that are soo much better.

So that’s what I’m reminding myself as I trash everything I’ve been doing in my “successful” design business for the past 5 years and start new. When I decided that I was no longer going to spend all my time and energy creating beautiful brands, memorable content, and outspend designs for everyone else. Watching my client’s businesses soar, and their testimonies on how my work helped them bring in 5/6 figure months while I count my pennies… And instead, do something crazy.

What if I put myself through my own rebranding process? What if I spent as much time and energy building myself as I do everyone else? (That alone could preach) What if I take my own advice and take a year off running my business to rebuild my business without a financial safety net (thanks covid)? What if I took the biggest risk of my life, to design the life I always wanted?

Well, I’m sure I’ll have some scars, break some weapons and have to forge new ones. I’m sure I’ll run screaming from the monsters in fear at times. But I know that once I get to the end of this journey, with my treasure, new business, amazing clients, skills gained, confidence earned, I will be glad that I got off the couch. So turn off the tv, pack up your meal, and go on a journey that teaches that risk is where the best of life is lived. And yea… your couch is cool, but at the end of the journey. You won’t remember the days you slept on the couch as much as you’ll remember the adventures you went on.

So that’s how I see risk. As the first sentence to an adventure story that’s worth every frightening, exhilarating, minute!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an artist at heart. I used to say that I’m a designer but then people think that just means graphic design and I offer soo much more than just that!

I run a boutique agency specializing in branding. I love storytelling (if you can’t tell by now) and I define branding as expressing your unique story within your business or brand. I love to take people’s personalities, their gifts, and talents and package them in a way that speaks to their tribe. For me this means more than just producing a killer logo (which I can do with my eyes closed) it’s pulling things together through photos, videos, layout, copy, and color. It’s giving my clients the confidence to stand boldly in their space, stand out in their industry and be the change they want to see in the world.

It’s that love of art and seeing it reflected in people’s lives that made me leave corporate design and go to the agency side. But it was my love of freedom and wanting to express my own voice that pushed me to leave the agency world to the entrepreneur side of things and start my own business. Was it easy? Ahahhaahahhahahah! I don’t even think those words exist for an artist. It’s work. It’s hard. It’s sometimes scary, but being an artist for me has always been about forging your own path, and new paths are never easy to make.

But when I stop and think about the alternative “easy” route, I realize there isn’t any comparison. There isn’t anything else I’d rather give my all to than making art in all its forms. A dream, dedication, a mindset of growth and exploration, are the keys to success that I’ve learned and hope to pass on to creatives just like me!

So if you’re the type of person that wants a little more adventure in your life and wants to partner with this crazy creative to create a brand that you love and your audience will obsess over, or just want to work with someone who will smother you with positive vibes and light a fire under you to keep going, well sounds like I’m the creative for you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is one of those places where we can tend to label the whole state “Atlanta”. So if I was going to stay in the “city” Little 5 Points for the artist vibe, the Ponce City Market for the hipster vibe, and Piedmont Park for the nature vibe.

But to be honest, since I left the city about 6 years ago to live OTP, I’ve started to love just traveling to all the different spots around. I think that’s the beauty of Georgia. There are so many different spots to go and explore with different cultures and scenes.

Want the nature vibe, check out some of our amazing parks and trails, go on a waterfall tour, we have soo many hidden gems. Rent a bike and just take off in a direction. You will be sure to find some amazing parks across the street from a great restaurant. Go explore.

Wonder why I’m not really giving anything specific. Well, cuz then you would just go to the exact place I suggested when the best places are found when you look. So if a friend was coming to visit, I’d probably try and take them somewhere I haven’t even been before. Let’s explore the city together. It’s much more fun that way. So pick a spot on the map and just go! Atlanta/Georgia has soo much to offer!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I think life is like a video game. We all get a quest, and it requires the right team/party with different skills to help you achieve your goal. Sometimes your party members stay for a short while, and some “ride or dies” stay with you till the end.

My husband is my right-hand man. He’s the muscle that handles the big baddies while I craft weapons and study ancient scrolls in the back. He’s one of my biggest cheerleaders and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help and support.

My family has always been an entire squad. My mom is my wise mage, my grandmother is my healer and sometimes the banker (lol) My dad is the blacksmith that helps me build all the things, and my siblings (cousins included) are my side quest partners and give me reasons to keep going.

I have some of the most creative and talented artist friends that are on their own unique journeys. My close friend Gissette Valentin is on an epic quest in the land of film. Author Kate Dramis is slaying beasts and writing books about them, and honestly soo many people who inspire me, push me, and encourage me, that if I was to really list them, we’ll be here all day.

And the biggest inspiration, helper, and leader of them all is the one that gave me this quest in the first place. I thank God for His word, strength, and guidance that leads me to all these amazing people who offer love and support, so I can give it back in spades!

Website: alexandriacreative.com

Instagram: @alexandriacreative

Image Credits
Photos by me (Alexandria Creative) with help from Naomi James