JP Women Who Inspire: Hallie Harris
I met Hallie Harris a couple of years ago, and we became fast friends. From the start, her magnetizing energy stood out—she’s the kind of person you instantly want to know more about. Hallie is sharp, driven, and endlessly creative. Spend five minutes with her and you can practically hear the gears turning as she dreams up ideas, solves problems, and builds.
Her career in influencer marketing began before it was even called that. A true pioneer, Hallie has been ahead of the curve every step of the way, constantly evolving and shape-shifting to stay in step with the ever-changing digital landscape. Being at the forefront of the creator industry, it's only natural she is planning her next venture. Stay tuned.
Hallie is also navigating life as a new mom to her sweet daughter Sadie and wife to her incredible husband Jason. She does it all with grace, humor, and an unwavering passion for connecting people to their purpose.
xx Jane
We asked Hallie a few questions so that you can get to know her, and we are so excited to share a little bit about a woman who inspires us:
Tell me a little about what you do.
On a professional level, I work in advertising. I have had a wild career --I started by building lifestyle brands for global musicians. I later ran a top tier social media agency where even the social media platforms were my clients. And most recently, I was CEO of the largest influencer marketing agency in the US, which I sold to WPP. I am passionate about building personal brands and building brands through people. My clients have spanned a variety of categories from Jay-Z to Netflix, Skrillex to Amazon, The Obamas to Ben + Jerry's.On a personal level, I am a mom to a 14 month old girl named Sadie and a two year old labrador named Finley. I also have a pretty cute husband named Jason, too!What inspires you?
People inspire me everyday. I love Brene Brown's courage through vulnerability. I love Dolly Parton's honest and fearless storytelling through songwriting. I am inspired by category disruptors like Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna, Sara Blakely, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Emily Weiss. And there are some incredible women who inspire me in Charleston, SC as well - Kate Nevin, Katie Geer, Natalia Castillo, Helen Leland, Courtney Zentner and of course, Jane Pope!What is one great piece of advice you received?
I have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a lot of good advice. In fact, one year for my 22nd birthday, my mom wrote down all of her advice on a piece of paper and read it aloud at my birthday dinner. She titled it, "22 Pearls Of Wisdom for a Double-Deuce Girl!" Number 11 was "Identify your passions. Don't just dream about them. Follow them with vengeance, your head and your heart." Following your passion will always lead you in the right direction. Balancing your head and heart is key. Your head is your analytical, logical, strategic part of you. Your heart represents your emotions, feelings and passions. The two together are a winning combination.What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Professionally, I have served as a leader to over 300+ people. I am extremely proud of how I have led teams, cultivated meaningful and lasting relationships with employees, colleagues and clients, and helped shape the careers of the next generation of marketers. I deeply care about who I work with and will always be invested in their futures. I view the impact I have made on the lives of others as my legacy and it has been the most fulfilling part of my professional journey.Personally, I am so proud of becoming a mom at age 40 -- it is the role that brings me the most amount of joy in life!!Is there anything you'd like to share about your journey to where you are now?
Every year, I read Steve Jobs' "Connecting The Dots" speech and I highly recommend you read it or read it again. The truth is, sometimes we find ourselves following our passion or learning new skills and we don't know why, until we look back. It's astonishing to me how every single chapter of my life has been a building block to what's next and how everything is divinely connected. My advice is to enjoy the journey and have an inner-knowing that it will all make sense one day.How do you make time to recharge?Truthfully, I have not been historically good at taking care of myself. I have always been so focused on serving the needs of others that I abandoned myself. This is something I have begun investing in over the past two years -- learning to love myself and care for myself enough to carve out time for me. To recharge, I get outside for a walk, soak up the sun and listen to the birds. I spend time with my family. I play my favorite music, sing at the top of my lungs and dance! Or I draw an incredible bubble bath, pour a glass of wine and leave my phone in another room. It is true, when you show up for yourself, you show up more fully for others.Where is your happy place?
About five years ago, I discovered The Harmony Hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica with my husband. It's nestled on the Nicoyan peninsula which is a blue zone. And it's an IYKYK kind of place! The people are incredibly warm, the food is pure, it literally feels as though there is more oxygen in the air there. I absolutely love it and every year, we go there for my birthday because it is my happy place. Surf, sun, sand, yoga, delicious and nutritious meals, and kindhearted people.Do you have anything fun on the horizon?If you know me, you know I am always cookin' something up! But in all seriousness, I am enjoying this chapter of life and the great fortune of choosing how I'd like to spend my time and with whom -- whether that is showing up as a friend, investor, advisor or partner in a business.
Photo Credits: Cameron Wilder + Charlotte Zacharkiw