We were lucky to catch up with Larissa Riley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Larissa, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
If only I could count the number of times I’ve been the “only” in the room! Whether it was being the only female, the only creative, the only person of color, I’ve experienced “only-ness” early and often throughout my life. I’ve found ways to be effective and successful in spite of it, though.
It’s the confidence and trust in knowing I have something different to offer than everyone else in the room, and that difference is something that should be valued. The best ideas don’t come from echo chambers. If you want to go farther, faster, you need a healthy mix of people with unique perspectives.
That’s not to say that my differences or unique perspective were always welcomed or embraced, but I know better than to let that silence or stifle me. It’s a continuous journey to find the places and spaces that see my value. Having the courage to lean in and have a voice isn’t easy, but I’ve practiced it long enough to say its become a skill and a bit of a strength.
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?
These days, I’m focused on building my copywriting and brand strategy business, Sun Scribe Creative. Through that work, I help a range of clients from large global brands focused on growth and increased market share to small female-run businesses in Phoenix who want to build brands with heart, not hype. One day I’m writing product positioning concepts for a national food and beverage company, and the next day I’m writing SEO website copy for a local Phoenix photographer.
What’s interesting is that there’s so much that big brands can learn from small ones and vice versa. For my small business clients, I’m bringing big brand thinking with a sharp focus on differentiation. I help them uncover the what makes them unmistakably themselves and build the branding foundation that lets their authenticity lead. For big brands, I’m pushing to humanize how they go to market, because in these days of the creator economy and decentralized influence, connection beats perfection. Audiences respond to brands that feel real, not rehearsed.
I’m really excited about my first in-person workshop I’m offering for women in both the corporate and entrepreneurship spaces. It’s happening on June 19, 2025 at the Lip Lab in Scottsdale, where attendees will get to customize and name a lip color, then learn tips and techniques for brand, product and offer naming as part of the workshop. Sign-up is available at thesunscribe.com.
I also recently launch a summer promotion called Copy Cabana on almost all my copywriting services including website copy and email sequences. You can get all the details at thesunscribe.com.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Listen and ask questions.
If you’re coming into a situation right out the gait, take the time to actively listen and observe. I’d actually encourage you to NOT be the loudest in the room. It is a real skill to listen without pushing your own agenda. Once you’ve done your listening tour, then pepper with questions. Not questions that interrogate, but ones that spark curiosity and seek to understand. You’d be surprised at how well-crafted, thought-provoking questions actually make people think WITH you, not against you.
2) Be a constant learner.
Marketing is a field I know well. I’ve spent my entire 19-year career in it, but without a doubt, change in this industry is the only constant. Failure to learn means failure to succeed. So sign up for the course or training, but also know that you can learn through things that inspire you, too.
For example, I recently learned that long, long ago (like dinosaur-era), Arizona was once a humid, tropical climate. That’s a far cry from what it is today with its dry desert landscape and low rainfall, but it actually inspired me to use that tropical-desert juxtaposition in my visual branding. It ties together nicely with my Pacific Islander heritage and living in the desert.
3) Know you can say no.
If you’re someone who’s highly motivated, but you’re not getting the opportunities you want, crave or need in your current situation — say no. Walk away, find a new path, take control of your destiny. In my career, I’ve learned that even the people who had my very best interests at heart couldn’t satisfy my growth or creative pursuits in the way I needed. At this point in my journey, I’m fully aware of what I’m capable of and in control of my own growth and development. And that feels good!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
If you’re a small business owner in need of marketing or brand building expertise, I come with 19 years of experience slinging words and shaping brands. Let’s connect!
If you’re a marketer at a large company looking for a copywriter or brand strategist to contract with, I’m a copywriter who’s held roles in digital, content and brand marketing and understands the ENTIRE marketing ecosystem. Let’s chat!
If you’re a web designer in need a copywriter with serious marketing and SEO prowess, I’ve been writing website copy for Fortune 500 companies AND small local businesses since before Google Analytics even existed. Let’s partner!
If you’re a photographer in need of a brand strategist to help make your clients’ shoots more on-brand and effective in their content, I know how to translate a client’s vision into actionable creative direction that makes your job 100x easier. Let’s work together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesunscribe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunscribe.creative
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbsriley
Image Credits
SheaLyn Lane, Spark Brand Creative
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
