We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alissa Howard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alissa below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Alissa with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from being surrounded by great role models growing up. My parents worked incredibly hard to raise me intentionally and in ways that differed from parts of their experience that they found challenging. They were both the first in their families to put themselves through college. They consistently advocated for themselves and for me. They told me that I could truly do anything and that gender didn’t matter. My mom, atypical of mothers in her generation, always worked and she loved it. When I got my first job offer, I knew how to (and always to) negotiate because of my mom. Most people don’t seem to have received that advice from either of their parents. I also had a few amazing teachers and professors who helped shape me. If you’re not early, you’re late. If you’ve already been given the answer, it’s on you to look harder for it. It’s not always true that simply working harder will yield certain results, but it will always make you better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Right now, I find myself in a period of self-discovery, reflection, and intentionality. I’m focused on finding out what really brings me joy and trying to reserve and direct my energy towards those things. I have an amazing new day job at a company I’ve been with for six years now. I serve on several nonprofit boards – the Trinity University Alumni Board and the Contemporary at Blue Star Board. I’m also lucky to have several side hustles that can function as hobbies – allowing me to pass on work that I don’t feel passionate about or that may add unnecessary stress depending on the timing or subject.
In my spare time, I work as a freelance designer and marketing/communications consultant for a few small, local businesses, especially female entrepreneurs. I also have a small, almost solely online retail business (forhumanitee.com) that I’m working to continue developing. I currently, primarily sell pet portraits and made-to-order products centered on various issues that are important to me. I want to continue to expand the brand and offer more products from other brands and designers. I currently have a few items from a women-owned, French brand, Leopoldine Chateau, and just received my first order from a women-led German brand/designer, Ina Seifart. So far, everything I want to offer is centered around “dopamine dressing”. After lockdown, I found myself gravitating towards putting on fun, bright, and loud things that boosted my mood. Life is short and unpredictable – wear things that make you feel invincible!
As an extension of that and as a way to personally challenge myself, I enjoy finding new graphic styles that require me to learn new techniques and creative problem-solve to bring them to life. I’ll find something that inspires me and create a “brand” for fun, kitschy, and silly things, like a party we threw at the end of June for my husband’s birthday. In May, we took a trip to New Orleans and I found a vintage sweatshirt that I loved. I used it as inspiration to create a whole suite of merchandise (can koozies, bandanas, and t-shirts) to commemorate his 35th birthday. If I’m creating something and it makes me feel exhilarated, I know I’m using my time well.
When I’m not solely day-dreaming, designing, or doodling, my husband and I love spending time cooking, lounging with our three dogs, reading, and traveling.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important thing to know is that there is always more to learn – about yourself, about others, and about the world.
Know yourself: Self-awareness is a journey you should ALWAYS be on. Think of your relationship with yourself like you think of your relationship with others. You’re allowed to give yourself grace AND you’re allowed to hold yourself accountable. You should strive to do both because most people are only good at one or the other. You should work hard but you should also allow yourself to rest. There is immense value in both and if you push too hard, your body will keep the score. There’s also, always, more to learn. You’re not the same as you were 10 years ago or even yesterday. Never stop getting to know yourself. Spend ample time becoming more aware of who you are, what you bring to the table, and where your shortcomings and opportunities are.
Know and participate in the world you live in: See more of it. Your way, “our way”, isn’t the right way or the only way. Participate in the ways society allows our voices to be heard (vote!) and maybe most importantly, always know that you are walking through this one life in one pair of shoes. Do what you can to try on and borrow others. There’s more than one side to every story and history is written by the victor. Seek out additional perspectives. Learn the difference between credible and non-credible sources and the basic principles of media literacy. Listen, be kind, and empathetic with others. Never be afraid to learn (or unlearn) something.
Know what you can control, what you can influence, and what you have to accept. With each year that goes by, life continues to tell me that not much IS in my control. If I’m patient and empathetic, there are things I can sometimes influence. Everything else, you just have to accept. And don’t worry, because if you don’t or can’t learn this on your own, life will teach you. My lessons usually come at the expense of our travel plans. A few years ago, instead of going to Spain, I went to the hospital and had my appendix out. We planned that trip for a year, and in less than a day, we learned that we would be replanning it. A few months ago (on that trip to New Orleans), the weather had other plans and BOTH of our flights got canceled or moved by more than a day. We ended up driving there to minimize the time we’d miss. Life is just a series of decisions that you make based on things that happen. Choose the best you can with what you have and appreciate the immense value to be had in learning from it.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m overwhelmed I try and remind myself that you’re always allowed to take a minute. I’m by no means perfect at this but take some deep breaths, maybe place your palm on your chest, and focus on your breathing. Try to sort out your thoughts from your feelings. You’re allowed to ask for and take space if you need it. Take the time to acknowledge your reaction, try to understand it, and figure out (one step at a time) what you need to do to put one foot in front of the other so you can keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: alissahoward.com & https://forhumanitee.com/
- Instagram: piclissa10 & forhumanitee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-howard/
Image Credits
My headshot is courtesy of photographer Sarah E. Cooper
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
