Meet Sasha Harrison | DIY & Design

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

Hi Sasha, how do you think about risk?
Two years ago, my husband and I were presented with an incredible opportunity to purchase a property that would help take our family business to the next level. It was a huge risk, but one I never thought twice about. I think the reason why was because Ive believed in my husbands vision so deeply and thought that no matter what, we would do everything we could to make it work. I ended up leaving my career and stepping out into a world I knew nothing about. It was huge learning curve, we took a lot of missteps, but we’ve finally established a groove that works for us. We invested all of our savings into this business from the moment we purchased, there wasn’t much left for our home, so I decided to take it on on my own. I really didn’t know what I was getting into but I knew if I never tried it wouldn’t get done. I believe in the simple fact that life is just too short and we never know what day is going to be our last. WHY not give it all you’ve got!? In doing so, I stumbled upon finding my passion, Im not sure how I would found myself where I am without taking those series of risks. Thinking back on the first one we took, Im so unbelievably grateful that fear didn’t get the best of us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ive always loved creating, to be able to craft something from start to finish lights me up from within. I don’t think I really know how much I loved renovating and building until I took a leap of faith and jumped right in. I began to hear from other women that they could never do what I do, that ignited a fire in me. I realized that there needed to be voice that assured them that they absolutely can do this. Ive been working hard at showing not only our daughter but women alike, that if there is a path that she chooses that isn’t a traditional women’s role, it doesn’t matter, if there’s a will there’s a way. Ive seen and heard hundreds of beautiful stories of renovations and creations along the way, those who have been inspired by being told that they can. I learnt that being honest and upfront is so important, I remember a build that I completely ruined. I nailed an entire door to our front deck and couldn’t remove it. I was so scared of the judgement, but then thought to myself, there’s someone else that’s made a mistake like this too, let’s laugh about it together. Failure is the best way to learn, why hide from it?!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh the things we would do!! First off I would pick up one of the best Photographers out there and kindest Humans, Photography with care, Carolyn would take the most beautiful accounts of our trip through her photos so we could remember it all. We’d pop out to Ennismore to grab the party girls and some of my best friends and most beautiful humans out there, then head down to the famous Couture Candy PTBO, stock up on some sweet treats for the girls trip, do a little shopping at the Modern Makers Market to check out all of the wonderful local vendors that I love. Then we would have to go check out Pearly Acres to feed and play with all of adopted piggies and support Sarahs lovely farm. We would head back to my place and have a wonderful dinner catered by the one and only Jordan Rusk. After dinner we would head out to Farm Hill in a limo bus with my friends JJ and Alyssa singing their hearts out while all of us girls dance the night away! And this is only day 1 haha! Im so thankful to be so Wonderfully connected in our community, we have such talented business owners here who I am lucky enough to call friends, Id try really hard to incorporate all of those businesses around us to help support all of their hard work and heart they give to all of us, always! I think one of the days we would for sure have to get all the Peterborough and surrounding areas ladies together for some yoga under the infrared heat at Bloom Health with Emma and Hil. Then we would set up a friendly food packaging competition at Kids Against Hunger, to see who could package the most meals with the wonderful TenFed boys, Kory and Mike to help with food insecurities around the world and in our community. I think we would then head out to the Loon in Lakefield to fill our bellies with their wonderful food. The following day we would have to make our way out to the Rolling grape for charcuterie, wine and music by the ever talented Deanna Earl. We would then likely head into do some more shopping at Chalk Therapy to check out all of Taras new creations and goodies, then to Bellies and Babies to see if our littles needed anything special and to see the wonderful Kassandra, Trinkets and Treasures and finally to SOS to get ourselves outfitted in a trendy getup for another night out of dancing. Getting ready and pumping music with my girlfriends is likely one of those highlights in life, so we would definitely have all of our makeup done by the one and only Emily Kingdon, all of our hair done by my wonderful hairdresser Amy Plunkett those girls would having us looking our best and feeling great! Before we head out we would all have our own dedicated cheesecakes from Cake by the Lake, Amanda would have brought all these cheese cakes with her though because she would be coming out dancing with us that night. There’s so much fun to be had in Peterborough and the Kawartha’s, but the best part of it all that Id be so happy to share with my best friend, would be the people.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a couple of moments that come to mind immediately, those moments seem to echo throughout my journey. The first one; when I was younger my parents would tell me that I can be and do anything I set my mind to, they were my idols, so I believed them. Throughout our marriage and our friendship, my husband has always stood behind me. At one point I was struggling to figure out the steps I needed to take to make money. I said to him with tears in my eyes I just need to know that all these late nights and early mornings before our littles get up makes sense; that I am contributing to our family. He paused, he looked at me and said, “does this make you happy?!” I cried while I told him that there’s nothing else I would rather be doing than this. He responded with “then why do you think you aren’t contributing to our family!?” He then told me all of the reasons why there is no amount of money that will ever show our children how important following your dreams are, work on your craft, he said, the money will come when the time is right. Finally, our two littles, Grace and Case, they continue to be my biggest most excitable cheerleaders, I love you two and Im so thankful for your big and thoughtful hearts. Case gifted me a measuring tape this past Christmas, and Gracie girl found me this beautiful sign to decorate with, both gifts were chosen at their school, without my husband or I knowing. You both inspire me.

Instagram: @sashaharrison12

Other: Tik Tok – @sashamarie62

Image Credits
Carolyn Lewis – Photography With Care