Stacey Harris is one of those women who seem to do it all. Not to mention that she juggles family, service, and a career all with efficiency and a positive attitude matched by few. She is a steadfast believer in the small-business of La Porte County and the idea that a positive mental attitude can conquer all.
“The key to it all is having realistic expectations and understanding that you can't always be perfect and achieve everything at the ultimate level at all time,” Harris explained.
Harris was born in Michigan City and attended Crichfield Elementary School, Boston Middle School and La Porte High School. She attended Indiana University where she double majored in Journalism and Speech Communications. This was a perfect marriage of her love of writing and public speaking.
Following her graduation from college, Harris moved backed to La Porte where she commuted to various jobs in downtown Chicago for six years. Harris had the unique opportunity in those six years to work with a variety of businesses including the National Restaurant Association and a small public relations firm where she worked on accounts for Starbucks, American Trans Air and Cirque du Soleil.
“It was a fantastic learning environment and a wonderful experience to work in a big city and then come back to live in La Porte. I married my high school sweetheart and both of our families are here. It made natural sense to live here,” Harris said.
When her daughter was born in 1997, Harris took a position at Blue Chip Casino and has been working in the county ever since. After freelancing on and off, Harris has recently been named partner at Morse & Harris Marketing, a personalized, small-business oriented advertising agency based in Michigan City.
“It was always a dream of mine to be a larger part of the agency because of the friends, the coworkers, and the clientele. I get a chance to give back in a different way. I am able to help small businesses throughout the community thrive and prosper by giving them services that they need but cannot necessarily always afford. We try very hard to help small businesses market themselves with affordable services.” Harris said.
For sixteen years, Harris has been giving back to La Porte County in another way. She has held positions on boards for Leadership La Porte County, The Educational Foundation of La Porte, Tri Kappa, Crichfield PTA and more.
“My favorite thing about La Porte County is the diversity in things you can do. I know many young people would say, 'What is there to do?' But just being outside at the different lakes, bike trails, orchards, and anything outdoors-there is so much to do.” Harris said.
Coincidentally, Harris has a well-known passion for being outdoors, kayaking, running, and biking. Harris manages to fit in 12 miles of running and at least 60 miles of biking per week.
“But I have big goals for myself this year so I am going to try and reach those. The more I can do outside the better,” Harris added.
Additionally, she loves reading, hanging out by the pool, and spending time with her family. On the topic of family, one has to wonder how Harris manages to balance it all.
“I have balanced working and being a mom in many different ways. I have freelanced when my kids were younger and took on more full-time positions as the got older. It is a challenge because something always has to give. Whether it is your expectations of how you do something or capitalizing on the time you spend somewhere whether it is work or at home. What is most important is spending time where you need to spend it and giving your all wherever you are at,” Harris said.
For the future, Harris plans to focus on continuing the growth of Morse & Harris Marketing. The company has recently picked up two new clients and is helping the state of Indiana disperse an anti-tobacco message to teenagers-a cause the company can put their hearts into.
“I am continuing to make the company the best that I can make it. With the fantastic, creative team of passionate individuals at Morse & Harris, this is beyond possible,” Harris expressed.
Harris will also continue to help her children grow as well. Her daughter will be a junior and her son will be entering middle school this next year.
“We are in new territory. So I hope to help them continue to succeed, and I will keep cheering them on. I will try to do my best with them everyday,” Harris mused.
In addition to all of her affable qualities, Harris exhibits a friendliness to all and takes time out of her packed day to connect with each individual she meets.
“It is kind of funny because when you hear the term 'Life in the Spotlight' you think of someone who has done something extraordinary. I don't feel that I have yet done anything like that. What I have tried to do each and every day is just be the best version of myself, and for me this is being a positive leader, person, wife, and mother and trying to do what I can to make somebody's day better,” Harris closed.