Meet Aleigha Carter | Freelance Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aleigha Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleigha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Currently on my entrepreneurial journey I have 3 brands that I’ve curated. They all have their own uniqueness to them however, the thought behind all of them was the same. Having enough faith in myself and what God has shown me to be true is something worth expressing, something with value & worth fighting for. Corporate America is a great starting point– you learn a lot about people; yourself; and how things work, but the idea of working for someone else’s dream for the rest of my life didn’t sit right with me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me aside, what I am most proud of, and what I have learned will take anyone far in life– both personally and professionally is staying true to my version of authenticity. In the industry of digital marketing or hospitality/ people-to-people roles overall, there are a lot of people and brands executing these tasks for the complete & utter wrong reasons. Unfortunately, it comes a time when that lack of authenticity comes to the light and people are faced with very hard truths.

For me, I have learned that by always only accepting business that truly aligns with my values; showing up in a genuine manner; and carrying myself in a way for others to understand my methods of professionalism without even being asked are all things to be proud of. That is what is setting me apart!

The obstacle of being authentic is a never ending battle with yourself, actually. Outside sources will bring influence to your space and leave you questioning & overthinking. This is why leading with a genuine heart posture is so important, because even if you allow your mind to wonder on the ‘what if’s’ you can always come back down knowing that your intentions are ALWAYS pure.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In the city of Detroit–and surrounding areas, there is a lot to do! Ultimately that is what I love about where I am from. It is always evolving but keeping the city’s culture intact.

There are a lot of places on my list, so I am not sure we have time for specifics. I will say an itinerary with me looks a bit more mature these days. Speakeasy’s, orchestra shows, sporting events, coffee shop visits, long walks near some beautiful scenery to talk and think. The areas I frequent are downtown Detroit, Corktown-Detroit, Royal Oak, and Northville.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This answer may seem cliche, but I want to thank God for where I am now in my journey. He is the one that consistently showed up for me and was there to pick me up when I felt like I had no fight left. To this day HE never gave up on me & my dreams, so I am eternally grateful.

I would also like to thank my BIG 3. My mom (Pamela), my sister (Yazmin), and my life partner of 15 years (Ken) for always being my biggest support system.

Lastly, (in the words of the iconic rapper Snoop Dogg) “I want to thank me”. For never giving up and allowing the amount of ‘no’s’ get to me. I still have a long ride on my journey but as long as I have belief in myself that I can do it, I am all set!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleigharaven/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleigha-carter-344a5783/