We recently connected with Alexandria McCrory and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alexandria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Taking a risk, that’s a great question. I feel like life is made up of so many small risks along the way. They act as mini trial runs leading up to the moment when you find yourself taking a big gulp and taking what feels like one of those life defining risks that takes all your strength.

For me it went from; sending that email, speaking out in that meeting, buying that plane ticket, to QUITTING MY JOB…. yea big jump.

It all started after graduating College. I graduated in the spring of 2019 with a degree in Graphic Design, with only a few freelance jobs under my belt I jumped into an internship in the marketing department at my alma mater. As we all know that intern life doesn’t always pay the bills so I simultaneously landed a position in administration at a university. Here I thrived! I loved being Creative, learning how to hone my problem solving skills and stretch my design imagination at the internship while also being able to work closely with students and faculty, feeding my love for people and helping challenge perspectives at the university.

As time went on my internship would end and I would move into a more full time position within higher education. And only occasionally would I find myself doing a freelance Graphic design job under my small business named AlleyRays Designs. My intention was to eventually grow this business to the point where it was big enough to sustain me and then, ONLY when my savings account was fat and all my i’s dotted and t’s crossed would I be brave enough to quit. Yet My “day job” was taking all my time and leaving no room to grow my business. I was at a stand still. While I loved my Job and I was good at it, I constantly asked “am I missing out on my calling?” I didn’t feel like this was where I needed to be… Do accolades, success and the comfort of a steady check determine my career path. Is that enough to give up on a dream?

In my mind it beat the alternative, what if I failed and never got my business to the level where it needed to be.
what if I’m not meant to be a business owner, what if it’s not the right time…… BUT what if i’m keeping myself from taking the risk that could set me free! What if this risk paid off. What if my dream that keeps me up at night only needed a little bit more of my attention… What if I could do this? That was the risk I was willing to take. so to make a long story short I quit. took a gulp and said goodbye.

Looking back on it, that was the first of many risks I would have to take in order to make my business what it is today and it’s a long Journey. Owning your own company is no small feat. but it is so worth it. I encourage anyone who is sitting with a risk to be taken to look at both sides of that risk and ask yourself “what if you don’t”, BUT remind yourself of the “what if you do.”

Alexandria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi I’m Alexandria McCrory, owner of AlleyRays Design. My company offers graphic design services specializing in branding, illustration and print materials. Along with the large array of design services, you can find a beautiful collection of uniquely designed digital art and mixed media prints created with passion from the imagination(creativity) of myself, Alexandria. I believe that in order to chase out the darkness in a murky space, we need to bring light that illuminates with its bright Rays. That is the goal here, to create meaningful Rays of light through Art and design.​​​​​​​

My Design work seeks to make something meaningful, ensuring that it conveys the message and story behind each design for my clients. I would describe my work as clean, focused and energetic, and I usually find myself incorporating bold and boisterous colors to draw the audience’s eye in. With a sharp ability to tell a story through visual imagery I have had the privilege to work with business, artists, and causes nationwide.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Don’t be afraid to just do it! Not trying to steal a page from nike but it is a great saying, when I first started with design as a student in college I was set on going into an inhouse studio, so i saw no point in doing odd jobs on the side. my roommates would ask for flyer and I would always say no. It wasn’t until my mom had a friend in “dire need” that I agreed to do so side jobs. that one job turned it several while in school and then countless after graduation. I realized then that the experience of working hand and hand with people to give visual solutions was a passion of mine and something I didn’t want to just do on the side.

As I look back at my business the key to growth has really been relational equity. Networking, talking to people beyond business to get to know them, their story and their needs this has gone a long way. People will remember you and remember your business. I’ve learned you have to love what you do AND who you do it for.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I listen to my clients and think outside of the box when creating for them, this I believe is the winning combination that makes my design work stand out. I create something that is uniquely theirs and its build primarily from the deep connections I am able to make while understanding who they are, the why behind what they do, and their vision forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://alleyraysstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alleyrays_designs/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-mccrory-40267322a/
• Other: My Portfolio Site; https://alleyraysdesigns.myportfolio.com/welcome

Image Credits
Sara Myers photography – for the two headshots