Meet Alexandria Harper

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexandria Harper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandria, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Sitting on my desk is a pencil holder. On that holder is an image of a cactus and the definition of the word resilience: the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. It’s not an overly pretty design by my standards. It’s simply made—a graphic printed and glued to a recycled candle holder. I received it from the host at a women’s retreat I attended with my mom. The host, a wise lady named Sebra (which also means cactus), gifted it to me. I keep it as a reminder to embody the attributes of a cactus, with its ability to survive in harsh conditions, to push forward and maintain faith, even when life feels like a desert—a barren wasteland where dreams and aspirations seem to die.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that resilience is a hard-earned attribute. The process of turning an idea into a reality, trying and failing, adjusting and trying again, is not for the faint of heart. Spending your most valuable assets—time, money, and mental energy—with not just the possibility, but the inevitability of failure, can be exhausting. Like a weary traveler in the desert, there comes a time when burnout hurts, failures sting, and the dream of the promised land feels like an unattainable mirage.

However, being a creative means you know firsthand that art is messy. Failures not only help you refine and hone your skills but often lead to a better end result than your original idea. Being an artist teaches you to redefine failure as another asset to create with. Challenges become the doors that lead to greatness, and resistance becomes one of your greatest weapons against giving up.

My journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster. But all the ups and downs have shaped who I am today. I’m strong enough to handle things that would have crushed me in the past. I’m more confident in my ability to do hard things and stand strong in times and spaces where others might give up and walk away. And I’ve learned how to reshape my struggles into opportunities to help others navigate similar spaces.

I’ve learned that resilience is about enduring the harsh landscapes of life and finding unbreakable joy and strength in the struggle. In an ideal reality, things would always go our way, and life would provide us with the easiest path forward. But life is less like a mundane linear path, and more like a winding unpredictable journey. With challenges, trials, and opportunities to live a remarkable adventure. So although growth is uncomfortable, and life can feel like one battle after the other if you stay the course, you can become a version of yourself, you never dreamed of.

So where did I get my resilience from? Well, life continues to give me gifts I didn’t ask for. But as I continue on this adventurous journey, I realize they just may be the keys to my success. Whenever I face a challenge, I remember the cactus on my pencil holder and its reminder to withstand difficulties. I remember that resilience is my greatest ally, enabling me to continue moving forward, no matter how tough the path ahead may seem. Because sooner or later, the promised land starts to come into view, and I know that every struggle brings me one step closer to my dreams.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I like to call myself a Brand Builder, passionate about helping businesses bring their brands to life from the ground up. Whether it’s developing a compelling offer, crafting a unique visual identity, or designing websites and products, I love walking clients through the entire process to create a solid brand foundation.

For over ten years, I worked as a freelance art director and designer with some of the top agencies and companies around Metro Atlanta. During that time, I experienced a lot of burnout and saw the toxic cultures that often surround creative teams. I knew there had to be a better way, so I set out to create a space where creatives could work in a healthier, more supportive environment.

Starting my own business was a journey of learning and growth. While I found early success, I quickly realized that I was still burning out by doing things the traditional agency way. So, I took a step back, gained new knowledge, and eventually rebranded to better align with my values.

My new brand, Buildable Brand, combines my personal experiences as an entrepreneur with my many years of working as a designer and art director. I help first-time entrepreneurs build the foundations for the business of their dreams. I know firsthand that a pretty design isn’t enough to sell, and a knowledge gap will have you wasting valuable time and money.

I help brands prepare to launch successfully with resources like a brand workshop to build a strong foundation, logo and visual identity creation, website design, and social media strategy workshops. I also have more products in the works. I love helping fellow creatives start their own businesses, providing them with the guidance and support they need.

At the heart of Buildable Brand is a commitment to empowering people to step into their entrepreneurial journey with confidence. While this new brand is still in the early stages of growth, I will soon be releasing digital courses, templates, and more to help others achieve their dreams.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Having a Solid Foundation:
If you build your house of sticks, it will come down when the big bad wolf comes knocking, and he always comes eventually. Your mental health, spiritual health, and support system are the main stones of your foundation. Recognizing burnout, knowing how to handle stress and anxiety, and having people to support and keep you accountable are all crucial. These elements will help you stand strong when life starts “life-ing.”

2. A Mindset to Learn:
Knowledge really is worth more than gold. It’s the thing that can help you not only find gold but keep it and spend it wisely. Having a heart for learning will always aid you. And I don’t just mean learning more about the skills you already have. Try new things, grab a book on a random topic at the library, and read different perspectives on a subject. A mindset of learning and growth will help your life expand in many ways. So trade a night of Netflix for some time spent learning.

3. Getting Around the Right People:
Look at the people you’re around and determine if they exemplify the life you want to live, the businesses you want to have, or the people you aspire to be. As a creative, being around other creatives not only helped me hone my skills but also allowed me to cross-pollinate and learn from others. Having mentors and people you can learn from is like getting a free leg up in life.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I’m an on-the-go kind of woman who wears a lot of hats with lots of responsibilities. Learning how to recognize when I’m overwhelmed, avoid things that get me there, and having strategies for when I’ve hit my limit, have helped me bounce back. These are my top pieces of advice!

1. Don’t Beat Yourself Up:
Everyone feels overwhelmed at times. If you’re like me, you’re so used to being in “boss mode” that slowing down can feel like failure. Start by being honest with yourself instead of just trying to push through. Give yourself grace. Remember, you’re human, and life is hard. Accepting this is the first step toward managing overwhelm.

2. Be Proactive:
Write down a list of strategies for when you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Include ways you like to relax and things that motivate you, like comforting scriptures or affirmations, or podcasts from people you admire. Creating an action plan before you’re in a moment of overwhelm gives you one less thing to think about when your energy is low and anxiety is high.

3. Take Care of Your Body:
It sounds simple, but a nap, breathing exercises, and fueling your body with nutritious food rather than “feel-good food” can make a huge difference. Your mind and body work together, so take care of your body to stay strong when you’re overwhelmed. And don’t skimp on sleep! Proper rest is crucial for managing stress and maintaining overall well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.buildablebrand.com/
• Instagram: @thecreativealexandria