We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Louise Harris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Louise below.

Alright, Louise thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking risks has shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined.
The first big leap I took was in my twenties when I had the chance to transfer from my PR agency’s London office to their Singapore branch. It felt like diving into the unknown—moving to a new country without knowing a soul, not having a clue what to expect, and with zero guarantees. It was scary! But instead of letting fear paralyze me, I just went for it. I told myself, “What’s the worst that could happen? If it doesn’t work out, I can always go home.” And with that, I got on the plane for a 12-hour journey that changed my life.

What was supposed to be a three-year assignment turned into a 15-year adventure. My career took off in ways I couldn’t have dreamed of, and Singapore became my home. I learned how to adapt, make connections quickly, and seize opportunities that opened doors I didn’t even know existed.
Later, I took another big leap—this time to New York. After years in senior agency and in-house roles, I eventually took the plunge to start my own consulting business. It felt right. I wanted to get back to the work I was most passionate about instead of managing teams. Starting from scratch was no small feat. It meant hustling for clients and building a business from the ground up. But like before, the risk paid off.

Louise, 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?

My career in PR didn’t start with a grand plan—it started as a junior assistant in a fast-paced London firm. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the best crash course I could have hoped for. I was hooked from the start—fascinated by how communications shape perceptions, build businesses, and influence public opinion.

I quickly realized hard work wasn’t enough. I needed to upskill to move up. So, while working full-time, I juggled night school to earn a diploma in Communications, Advertising, and Marketing. Those late nights paid off. I learned that to thrive in PR, you need to wear a lot of hats: storyteller, strategist, problem-solver—and be a people person.

Mentorship played a huge role in my growth. I’ve been lucky to have some incredible mentors who believed in me, even when I doubted myself. They encouraged me to tackle tough challenges and step out of my comfort zone—whether it was leading a high-stakes campaign or navigating a crisis. Their guidance has been invaluable, and I make it a point to pay it forward. Whether it’s mentoring young professionals, offering career advice, or being a sounding board for new ideas,

At one point, I earned the nickname “The Red Phone” because of my knack for staying calm and focused in a crisis. (Let’s be honest—managing crises can be stressful, but it’s also deeply rewarding when you help navigate a tricky situation to a good outcome.)

A major turning point was when I became the regional president of a U.S.-headquartered PR firm, overseeing operations across Asia. It was an incredible experience that taught me so much about cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and resilience. I even had to track down clients from scratch in the Singapore office when I discovered there weren’t any active accounts. Talk about being thrown into the deep end! But it worked out—I managed to win back a previous client, assemble a team, and set the office up for success. That scrappy determination has served me well as an entrepreneur today.

These days, I run my own consulting firm, Iron Purpose Communications. It’s been a labor of love, and my mission is simple: to help organizations communicate with authenticity and purpose. We offer everything from strategic communications and brand positioning to training and issues management. It’s about telling stories that matter, inspiring action, and making a positive impact. It also allows me to be involved in causes I’m passionate about including the environment and access to healthcare.

My life experiences have shaped how I work. Having lived and worked in so many different places—London, Singapore, New York—I’ve learned how to craft messages that resonate with diverse audiences and to be adaptable. At the end of the day, every business has a story to tell. My job is to help uncover it, shape it, and share it in a way that resonates with people.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Like so many others, the global pandemic really tested my resilience. At the time, I was working for a nonprofit organization whose mission was all about being hands-on—helping patients around the world and training healthcare professionals. Suddenly, we had to rethink everything. We moved our training online and got creative with how we approached communications and fundraising. It was a whirlwind.

To keep my team connected and morale high, I held daily morning Zoom calls. Those calls became a lifeline, not just for work but for staying grounded during such a chaotic time. Meanwhile, at home, I was sharing office space with my husband, juggling work calls with the constant worry about older family members. It was mentally exhausting.

But somehow, we made it through. It was one of those “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” moments—challenging, yes, but also a reminder of how much we can adapt and pull together when it really matters.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Without a doubt the best source of new clients has been through referrals and networking. I also make it a point to discover where the synergies lie between one client and another. For example, it could be a company in a similar line of business where knowledge of the industry is key, or one with a similar challenge such as rebranding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ironpurpose.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseharrissalazar/