Meet Dr. Kimberlie Harris | Entrepreneur & Educator

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

Hi Dr. Kimberlie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I first decided to start my business, PHraseD, I wanted to help all the small business owners I saw making grammatically incorrect posts on social media. I was also concerned about literacy in general.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Jamaican born and raised, wife, mom and gifted elementary teacher turned entrepreneur turned children’s book author. Let’s just say I’ve been busy, lol.

I started PHraseD, LLC in 2019 to help individuals and small to mid sized businesses reach their target audiences and “make the write impact.” I noticed that many individuals and small to mid sized businesses struggle with clearly communicating with their audiences on social media and I wanted to help them. I have a background in writing and editing and had also worked in marketing before moving into the field of education, so it was a return to old stomping grounds.

I’ve helped with resumes, marketing materials and content, edited for local and national ad campaigns, edited the material for a mayoral candidate and created the marketing for a historical organization in a national competition, to name a few. After about a year and a half, I decided that I wanted to bring my educational background and knowledge into the work I was doing, so I formed PHraseD, Jr. PHraseD helps adults reach their goals through writing and I wanted PHraseD Jr. to help with literacy for children. PHraseD Jr. specifically creates children’s books to encourage young boys to read and address the gap that exists between females and males, as it relates to reading and literacy.

I’d have to say that I’m most proud of and excited about helping young children, especially boys, develop a love for reading and books. No, this journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. I have had to learn how to balance what at times feels like conflicting interests, being an educator, a mom, a wife and entrepreneurship. The greatest challenge has been time or rather the lack of it. During regular business hours, I’m an educator and then once I get home I have to split my time between being a mom, wife and entrepreneur of two businesses which are growing and developing in ways that I don’t always anticipate.

I’m still working on managing my time and think that won’t ever change. I have learned to move at a slower pace than I’d like with projects and I have to be very careful about my client load, but each day I figure out more and work to adapt to the changing needs of my life and businesses. Some of the other lessons that I’ve learned are to be intentional in my actions, delegate and source people who can assist in my goals and prioritize things that need to be done. Above all, I’ve learned to be willing to adjust.

I want the world to know that PHraseD and PHraseD Jr. are passionate about helping both children and adults become more literate and that we are equipped to help them get their point across to the wider society. I want my two businesses and any additional offshoots that come in the future to be synonymous with quality and excellence in literacy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This one is harder for me than all the other questions because I’m a workaholic and I hardly ever go out, lol. I would reach out to my friends who actually go out and beg them for help. I’d specifically check out Black Girls Guide Atl to see whatever is new or in season like the Illuminarium. If I had to come up with an on the spot answer, I’d definitely take him/her to the “must see” spots in the area like the aquarium and the, World of Coke. we’d also venture out a bit to explore, Southern Belle Farms, first Fridays in Macon and Her Majesty, Inc’s restaurant.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone who’s been in my life has played a role in my current pursuits and endeavors. However, I must acknowledge my husband, Phillip Harris Jr, my parents, Dorcas and Patrick, my son, Kingston, my family in general, my students as well as my clients and supporters.

Website: https://www.phrasedllc.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlie-harris-phd-0b5410180

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/phrasedl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phrasedllc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCutHL2SD5FVUd2TMvqX1W8A

Image Credits
First file: Sean Cason Photography