An Inspired Chat with Alison Gardner of Denver

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alison Gardner. Check out our conversation below.

Alison, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
As a creative entrepreneur and mom, no two days are exactly the same, but I’ve intentionally designed my routine to support both creativity and presence. Mornings are sacred. I value slow starts: breakfast and coffee outside with my three-and-a-half-year-old, soaking in the quiet before the day begins. It’s our way of easing into the day with joy, with no rushing.

I officially begin my workday at 10 a.m., which gives me space to feel grounded before diving into client calls and creative direction. I split my time between my home office and in-person sessions with my team at Kiln, our co-working studio, where we hold creative meetings, brand reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

Throughout the day, I wear many hats. I consult with purpose-driven founders, review visual branding concepts, mentor my design team, and often collaborate with other creatives over lunch. It’s a mix of deep creative work and meaningful connection.

I typically wrap work around 5 p.m. so I can transition into family time. Evenings are for unwinding with dinner, toddler bedtime (anywhere between 7:30 and 9:00), and sometimes journaling or dreaming up the next big idea.

I’ve built a career and a life that are intentionally led by purpose, joy, and the belief that your business should support the way you want to live—not the other way around.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Alison Gardner—Founder and Creative Director of Perspektiiv Design Co., a brand and design studio rooted in purpose, strategy, and visual storytelling. We specialize in crafting intentional brands for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and mission-led organizations, helping them show up with clarity, confidence, and a cohesive visual identity.

What makes Perspektiiv unique is our holistic, values-driven approach. I started this business over a decade ago after leaving a toxic work environment, determined to build something that felt aligned, supportive, and creatively free. Today, it’s grown into a family business that supports others in doing the same—creating brands and careers that feel good on the inside and out.

We now offer brand strategy, identity design, websites, and creative consulting, and we’re expanding into education, retreats, and in-person events. I’m especially passionate about helping fellow entrepreneurs build sustainable, joy-led businesses that reflect who they really are—not just what they offer.

When I’m not working with clients, you can find me raising my son, tending to our design-forward retreat cabin in the mountains, or dreaming up the next community event or workshop that helps people reconnect with their purpose.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, creative, and deeply intuitive kid—always drawing, rearranging my room, making things beautiful just for the sake of it. I loved nature, quiet moments, and dreaming up businesses before I even knew what entrepreneurship meant. I was sensitive, observant, and full of big ideas—someone who felt things deeply and paid attention to the small details others might miss.

That version of me still exists at the core of everything I do today. I’ve just given her permission to lead again.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of not being enough.

For a long time, I thought I had to prove my worth by doing more, achieving more, or being everything to everyone. It showed up in overworking, overdelivering, and second-guessing my instincts—especially as a creative, a business owner, and a mom. I worried that if I slowed down, set boundaries, or showed up as my full self, it might not be “professional enough” or “successful enough.”

Letting go of that fear—and choosing to build a life and business rooted in alignment instead of approval—has been one of the most freeing and transformative shifts I’ve made. And it’s something I continue to return to every day.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the design and branding industry tells itself is that strategy and aesthetics are separate—or that one matters more than the other. In reality, the most impactful brands are built at the intersection of both: design that not only looks good, but feels aligned and communicates clearly.

Another lie is that hustle equals success. So many creatives and entrepreneurs burn out trying to keep up with trends, algorithms, and endless deliverables, forgetting that spaciousness, rest, and intention are what actually fuel great work.

And perhaps the most damaging lie is that you have to make yourself look bigger, flashier, or more “legit” to be taken seriously. In truth, people are craving realness. They want to connect with brands and businesses that are grounded, human, and purpose-led—brands that know who they are and why they exist. That’s where the magic is.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop saying yes out of guilt or obligation. I’d stop overextending myself to prove my worth, and I’d let go of the pressure to constantly be “on” or available.

I would stop second-guessing my intuition—the quiet knowing that always leads me in the right direction—and release anything that feels performative or disconnected from my values.

Most of all, I’d stop postponing joy. I’d prioritize time in nature, creative expression, meaningful work, deep rest, and being fully present with the people I love. Because in the end, that’s the stuff that matters. That’s the legacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perspektiiv.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perspektiivdesignco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonlebofsky/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligardnerpdx/