Story & Lesson Highlights with Larissa Riley of Northwest Phoenix

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Larissa Riley. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Larissa, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
That’s the thing about entrepreneurship, right? You CAN act fast. But I’ll admit, I’ve always been in the camp of growing a business sustainably and that has required me to be very realistic about my time, energy and resources as a solopreneur. As a creative, I fully embrace those opportunities to explore and push boundaries, but my left brain isn’t afraid to dig into data, trends and market research to inform my decisions. If there’s anything that my time in Corporate America has instilled in me, it’s that what gets measured gets money. So I’ll only move as fast as the data comes!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Larissa, the owner and founder of Sun Scribe Creative. I work with businesses of all sizes from small local ones here in Phoenix to big billion-dollar global brands. My services span marketing, branding and copywriting, but ultimately, my purpose is to build brands with heart, not hype.

I also recently co-founded a Phoenix-based virtual and in-person community for female Asian Pacific Islander (API) founders and creatives called Gals Against the Grain.

Two very different businesses, but the intersect is actually grounded in authentic branding. Over the past couple years as I’ve built Sun Scribe Creative, there’s been an ever-pressing desire to embrace my Pacific Islander culture and heritage, wondering how to build a business that showcases not only my brand values, but my cultural values, too. Gals Against the Grain is a community where female API business owners and creatives can live their culture out loud as they’re building or scaling their businesses. It’s the kind of community where you don’t have to conform or play the game. Come as you are!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a girlie girl (still am) through and through. Always liked getting dressed up, getting my hair curled in sponge rollers and playing with Barbies. My first bike was pink, mint green and purple — a color combo that I’d still love today.

Along the way, I’ve been put in positions where much of that girlie girl energy had to simmer down. And that’s okay. I do believe in adapting to your environment, but it’s important not to lose yourself in the process. When you’re playing by others’ rules, your whole self does take a backseat. That’s why leadership is so much about self-awareness. Know exactly who you are, so you can always find the way back to yourself.

At the heart of it all, I still am that girlie girl, but I think entrepreneurship has made me lean into it with full confidence. Brands are built on trust. And so there’s no other way to show up truthfully than for me to put on the heels, curl the hair and wear the bright colors. That’s who I am, and if I want to earn people’s trust, then I have no option other than to be the only person I can be — me.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her she’s going to do great things.

I think there’s a time in early childhood when we really believe we can do anything. We can become astronauts and fly to the moon or become rockstars or find cures for cancer. Somewhere along the way, reality sets in about the obstacles we have to overcome to get there. And while those obstacles are real, it’s important to remember that greatness comes in many different forms.

For me, there was a long time of me just doing what I was told or taking the next step on the path in front of me. My greatness has been stepping off the path and creating my own. Having the courage to say, “I’ve got this” and believing in myself enough to go do it.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That you have to hustle for your happiness.

I used to think that being an entrepreneur meant endless hustle, late nights and working through weekends. While that might be true for some, it’s not true for all. Many of the clients I work with are juggling school drop-offs, late night feedings and trying to relearn their kid’s 5th grade math — all while trying to run a business, stay hydrated, exercise and squeeze in some self-care.

For those women starting or scaling businesses and raising families, I don’t think you have to hustle for happiness. I actually think we have to slow down for it. Be present and engaged with our partners and kids. And yes, that might mean a slower pace for business, but I believe it’s the only way to build a business sustainably while prioritizing family in this season of life.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
The emotional intelligence behind my strategy.

As a copywriter and brand strategist, I don’t just write good copy or build a pretty brand. I seek to understand. I listen to what my clients meant but couldn’t articulate. I help them transform thoughts and feelings into powerful, meaningful messages that move their audiences to act. I help them turn their lived-it, felt-it, built-it selves in to brands with heart, not hype.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesunscribe.com/services
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunscribe.creative/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbsriley

Image Credits
SheaLyn Lane
Spark Brand Creative