Check Out Rashonda Harris’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashonda Harris.

Hi Rashonda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Purple Sheep Consulting began as more than a business—it was a calling.

After over two decades in research administration leadership, I (Dr. Rashonda Harris) saw a clear gap: institutions needed not just expertise, but culturally competent, solutions-driven support tailored to their real-time challenges. I launched Purple Sheep Consulting to answer that need—with a focus on intentional service, empowering systems, and equitable impact.

The name “Purple Sheep” represents what we are: the rare, bold, purpose-driven outliers who don’t just fit in—we lead. We specialize in interim staffing, training, and strategic planning for higher education and research organizations, offering services in compliance, post-award operations, leadership coaching, and diversity-informed mentorship.

Over the years, we’ve partnered with institutions across the U.S. and internationally, grown our client base through results and word-of-mouth, and expanded our offerings to include signature programs like Black Women Who Mentor, the Purple Evolution Experience, and the Purple Harvest personal development series.

Today, Purple Sheep Consulting is not just a firm—it’s a movement. One that champions transformation through expertise, authenticity, and heart.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but the bumps have shaped the mission.

Starting Purple Sheep Consulting meant stepping away from the stability of senior leadership roles in higher education to build something of my own—from the ground up. That alone came with its share of uncertainty, self-doubt, and financial risk. I wasn’t just launching a business—I was redefining the narrative for what consulting could look like for Black women in this space.

Some of the biggest challenges have included:

Proving credibility beyond the resume. Even with over 27 years of experience, there were moments when I had to work twice as hard to prove I could lead multimillion-dollar transitions, interim teams, or policy reforms—not because I lacked skill, but because I didn’t fit the “traditional” mold.

Scaling with integrity. As demand grew, I had to learn how to expand while keeping the quality personal. That meant building a trusted team, creating efficient systems, and protecting the values that define Purple Sheep—especially our commitment to equity, excellence, and human connection.

Financial and emotional strain. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced months where the money wasn’t flowing but the mission still mattered. I invested my own resources, navigated delayed contracts, and kept moving while mentoring others—all while managing life as a wife, mother, and leader.

Yet through every challenge, I was reminded: I wasn’t built to fit in—I was born to rebuild the system.

The journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been powerful. And every struggle helped shape Purple Sheep into the bold, grounded, and deeply impactful firm it is today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Purple Sheep Consulting, our work is rooted in transformation—across professional development, personal growth, and community impact.

While we offer strategic support to research institutions, our reach extends beyond consulting into authorship, mentorship, and storytelling. I’m proud to lead a firm that stands on three powerful pillars:

Thought Leadership & Authorship:
I’m the author of the Purple Harvest Trilogy, a collection that includes:

Purple Harvest: Planting Goals, Growing Truths

Harvest Truths: Purple Affirmations

Purple Harvest 30-Day Journal
These works are designed to inspire authenticity, growth, and self-discovery. We’ve built a growing community around these books through content series like Purple Roots and Harvest Truths, encouraging readers to plant purpose and grow through truth.

Mentorship & Empowerment:
Our signature program, Black Women Who Mentor, is more than a course—it’s a bridge to sisterhood. With both live and self-paced cohorts, the program helps Black women deepen their leadership, embrace authenticity, and mentor with intention. It’s a sacred space where lived experience meets guided transformation.

Voice & Community Through Media:
Purple Sheep Diaries, our podcast launching in June 2025, is a storytelling platform where we explore what it means to be a “purple sheep”—those who lead boldly, live truthfully, and stand rooted in purpose. We also host Purple Crowns & Connections, a virtual community circle that gives listeners space to reflect, connect, and grow together.

What sets us apart is this: we don’t just build businesses—we plant movements. We guide professionals, leaders, and everyday trailblazers in cultivating legacy, not just success.

That’s what makes Purple Sheep Consulting different—and that’s what I’m most proud of.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is rooted in impact, alignment, and legacy.

It’s not just about titles, revenue, or recognition—though those things matter. True success is when:

The work I do aligns with who I am, not just what I know.

The people I serve feel seen, empowered, and transformed—whether it’s a university navigating complex research compliance or a Black woman rediscovering her voice through mentorship.

The systems I touch become more equitable, intentional, and human-centered.

Success is also deeply personal. As a woman who grew up in the housing projects of South Philadelphia and went on to earn multiple degrees, lead national organizations, and write a book series that speaks to truth and purpose—success means breaking cycles, planting seeds, and leaving a trail others can follow.

Ultimately, success isn’t about fitting in—it’s about building something that outlives you. That’s what I aim for with Purple Sheep Consulting and everything I create: legacy over applause, purpose over pressure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://purplesheepconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purplesheep_consulting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/109525245245227
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/88171613
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/Purplesheep_C
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxs4uXn-VQ39o8H5RDl6xPw
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DS94PYDS?ccs_id=d565d0a4-486c-4212-a54d-160b4579fa4a

Image Credits
All images are Copyright © 2022-2025 Purple Sheep Consulting – All Rights Reserved.