Story & Lesson Highlights with Brigitte Harley

We recently had the chance to connect with Brigitte Harley and have shared our conversation below.

Brigitte, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to take a quick scroll through my emails to make sure nothing urgent has popped up over night. I like to know what I am walking into for the day. Then I spend a few minutes with my dogs as they have a short burst of energy and want to play before they go back to sleep for the next several hours. After pouring my coffee, I head to my computer and try to clean out as much of my inbox as I can addressing emails that can be answered quickly. Next, I make my list for the day and dig in.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Water Witch is a vibrant, modern reimagining of the classic tiki bar. We ditch the clichés to focus on the art of the cocktail, serving expertly crafted, unique drinks that pay homage to the tiki tradition while embracing modern mixology. Our signature is intimate, personalized service—it’s not just a drink; it’s an experience tailored to you. We aim to be your favorite escape, a cozy, mystical sanctuary where every guest feels like a regular.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has shaped me the most in how I see myself is the one I have with my daughters. For a long time, I wrongly assumed they had no real grasp of my professional life—that the intricacies of my job were beyond them. I’d think, ‘They have no idea what I do all day.’

The pivotal moment came when I overheard one of them explaining me to someone else. It wasn’t about the technical details of my work; it was a pure, essential understanding of who I am when I work. They weren’t describing just ‘Mom.’ They were describing a strong, intelligent boss woman—a true leader.

To hear their interpretation of me was profoundly moving. I saw myself through their eyes, and what they reflected back was the very best version of me. Their simplified, yet completely accurate, description forced me to drop my own internal skepticism. It became less about achieving some external measure of success and more about living up to the woman they already believe me to be. They didn’t just affirm my value; they defined it. Their relationship is, by far, the most honest and important mirror I have.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear that held me back was the persistent belief that I needed a partner to step outside of my comfort zone.

This wasn’t just about emotional support; it was a deeply ingrained idea that I lacked the complete skillset or knowledge base to tackle a major challenge on my own. My mind would create a checklist of reasons I needed someone else.

The best example of this was my dream of opening a bar. For years, this was something I wanted to do, but I was paralyzed by the thought of doing it solo. That waiting period cost me years of missed opportunity.

The biggest revelation was that the fear was based on an entirely false premise. Once I actually started the process, I discovered that I already possessed the fundamental business knowledge to handle the core operations. The specific skills I lacked—like dealing with liquor licenses or bar-specific inventory—were entirely learnable. Nothing truly can’t be learned, and I was perfectly capable of figuring it out.

My biggest fear, therefore, wasn’t failure; it was the fear of solo initiation. The moment I broke past that mental block, I gained confidence not just in my ability to run a bar, but in my ability to start anything I set my mind to. The fear held me back for years, but now I know that my own self-reliance is the only partner I truly need.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would likely say I have a deep, consistent concern for the health, happiness, and safety of my family and friends. This isn’t just a passive feeling; it translates into how I act. They know that if they or my family needed help, I would be there, no questions asked.

You explicitly stated you want to be perceived as someone with integrity who always does the right thing. My friends likely would say I have integrity and always do the right thing as my word is reliable, I am trustworthy, and I live by a strong moral compass. This commitment to doing the right thing in all aspects of my life—as a friend, parent, and partner—is a huge part of what defines me.

Your friends likely appreciate how much you value being a good friend, parent, and partner. I think they would say that the effort and care I put into being a good friend, parent and partner are my greatest priorities. I hope they see how I work to be present, supportive, and loving, making those personal connections the center of my life.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Three things in combination or on their own:

The peace I feel spending time with my family comes from deep-rooted security and belonging. My family acts as a stable anchor in a busy world. My family provides a strong support system, which naturally reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. We create positive, lasting memories which reinforces our bonds and gives me a sense of continuity and identity.

Water has a unique psychological power that soothes my brain. The sounds of waves, tides, or flowing water helps to reduce overthinking and stress. The vastness and color of water bring me a sense of calm, openness, and peace.

The peace that comes from traveling is all about perspective and presence. It’s the ultimate change of pace for the mind. Travel breaks me free from the demands of my daily life, lowering my stress hormones and giving my brain a chance to reset. New surroundings and experiences force me to be present and focused, providing a temporary “digital detox” and eliminating the mental noise of my usual environment. Navigating new places and cultures builds confidence and broadens my perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.waterwitchtiki.com
• Instagram: waterwitchtiki
• Facebook: waterwitchtiki