We were lucky to catch up with Aleya Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aleya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One of the most unexpected and soul-shaking problems I faced in my business came after the birth of my daughter, Ruby Coral. I was hit with a wave of postpartum depression so intense that I didn’t recognize myself anymore. For 11 months, I was in survival mode—barely treading water, lost in a fog, and unsure if I’d ever feel like “me” again. It wasn’t just the sleepless nights or the hormonal rollercoaster. It was the crushing weight of trying to rebuild a business while wondering if I was fundamentally broken.

At the same time, our finances were under pressure. Childcare alone was a big-ticket item, and even with support from family early on, we eventually had to figure out how to shoulder it on our own. It was nobody’s fault—just life happening, circumstances shifting. But when the support stopped, I wasn’t prepared. My business wasn’t bringing in consistent income, and I was relying on sporadic client work and the hope that the speaking agent I’d hired would pull through. (Spoiler: they didn’t.)

I still remember traveling to a gig and barely having enough cash for an Uber and a meal. It was humbling—and honestly, a little humiliating. I was doing the thing I was meant to do: speaking, inspiring, showing up. But behind the scenes, I was scrambling. On top of all that, I was chipping away at past business debts that weighed heavy on my spirit.

But I kept going.

I got a corporate job as a Global Marketing Director to stabilize our household income. I started seeing a therapist who doubled as a business coach and eventually got on medication to help manage the depression. I published my first book, Spark the Stage. I co-produced my first speaker event. I built systems. I parented my daughter with joy and intention. I kept the spark alive, even when it felt like I had nothing left to give.

Entrepreneurship isn’t always glossy Instagram quotes and six-figure launches. Sometimes, it’s surviving the storm while drenched and freezing, trying to build a boat at the same time. But damn, when the clouds part and you realize you’re still here—stronger, wiser, and more aligned—it’s worth every step.

Aleya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Aleya Harris—strategic storytelling consultant, award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and the proud founder of The Evolution Collective Inc. and the Spark the Stage brand. My mission? To help leaders and aspiring speakers stop hiding, start owning their truth, and turn their story into a tool for transformation.

But let’s rewind a bit.

Before I was on stages and in boardrooms helping people spark change with their words, I was a private chef for Stevie Wonder (yes, really), ran a marketing agency, and went deep into personal development and spiritual growth. Life has taken me through some wild, sacred, and sometimes messy paths, including participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies, studying energy healing, and becoming a mom. All of that experience—spiritual, corporate, and creative—gets baked into everything I do. I don’t separate soul from strategy. I believe in both.

My business lives in two beautiful lanes:

1. The Evolution Collective Inc.
This is my strategic storytelling consultancy for corporate clients. I work with leaders, HR executives, and company teams to use storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural transformation, leadership alignment, and team engagement. I help organizations go from disconnected and uninspired to aligned, inclusive, and thriving.

2. Spark the Stage
This is my passion project turned profitable brand where I teach entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals how to become paid public speakers. Through my bestselling book, online course, and live coaching, I help people craft their Radical Spark Signature Talk™, pitch themselves like pros, and confidently take the stage to grow their business, brand, and impact.

What sets me apart is my approach—I bring both heart and strategy to the table. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter communication or robotic leadership. I believe in Radically Authentic Strategic Storytelling™, which means we excavate the real story beneath the surface and use it to create connection, clarity, and results.

I’ve been on over 125 podcasts, spoken at over 100 events, and helped clients go from overlooked to unforgettable. I’ve helped entrepreneurs land their first speaking gig and helped a real estate brokerage scale their valuation from $2 million to $51 million by telling a better story.

What I’m most proud of, though, is that I built this business while navigating postpartum depression, financial setbacks, and that sneaky inner voice that tries to convince you you’re not enough. Every book I’ve written, client I’ve served, and talk I’ve given is a testament to resilience, creativity, and divine timing.

If you’re a corporate leader looking to build culture and connection through storytelling, or an aspiring speaker ready to finally share your message with the world, I want you to know this: you don’t have to become someone else to succeed—you just have to become more of yourself.

That’s the spark. And I’m here to help you light it up.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that working harder automatically meant I was doing better.

For years, I wore “busy” like a badge of honor. I thought if I wasn’t exhausted, I wasn’t earning it. If I wasn’t in a constant hustle cycle, I wasn’t worthy of success. That mindset got me some wins, sure—but it also got me burnout, anxiety, and a calendar so full I couldn’t hear myself think. And when I became a mother, that whole illusion came crashing down fast and hard.

After I had my daughter, I physically and mentally could not push the way I used to. I was navigating postpartum depression, running a business, taking on consulting gigs to keep us afloat, and trying to show up as the kind of mom I wanted to be. And let me tell you—there were days when just brushing my teeth felt like a victory.

It was in that slow, raw season that I learned the real truth: strategy, rest, and alignment are more powerful than hustle. I had to rewire my brain to believe that ease didn’t mean laziness, and that I could trust myself—and Spirit—to lead me toward what was right, not just what was relentless.

Now, I’m building a business that feels like a full-body “yes.” I work 15–20 hours a week, but I’m intentional. I focus on scalable offers like my Spark the Stage course and high-ticket consulting that aligns with my gifts. I’m no longer addicted to urgency. I’m building wealth, impact, and peace at the same time.

So if you’re out there grinding yourself into dust thinking it’s the only way—let me be the loving, truth-telling voice that says: you can rest. You can trust. And you can still win big. You just have to give yourself permission to unlearn the lie.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of public speaking and a consistent, systematized approach to LinkedIn outreach. Speaking has always been my superpower—it’s where my authenticity, strategy, and storytelling all collide. When I’m on stage, whether it’s virtual or in-person, I’m not just sharing insights. I’m creating a transformation in real time. And the right people—those ready for next-level growth—feel that.

But here’s the key: it’s not just about speaking. It’s about what happens after the applause.

I built a system that turns my talks into lead generation engines. Every presentation is intentionally designed to invite the audience into my world—whether that’s through my Spark the Stage course for aspiring speakers or my strategic storytelling consulting for corporate teams. I make it easy for people to take the next step, and I always follow up with a clear offer or resource that keeps the momentum going.

At the same time, I use LinkedIn like the strategic goldmine it is. I’m not out here sliding into DMs cold and hoping for the best. I’ve built a targeted outreach system that includes LinkedIn Sales Navigator, automated messaging through Meet Alfred, and an evergreen masterclass that does the heavy lifting. This system helps me connect with decision-makers, build trust through value-driven content, and guide folks seamlessly into my programs and services.

Speaking gives me the credibility. LinkedIn gives me the consistency. Together, they’ve helped me grow a business that feels aligned, scalable, and—finally—sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aleyaharris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleyaharris/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleyaharris/
• Twitter: https://x.com/aleyaspark
• Other: https://www.evolutioncollective.com