Life & Work with Whitney Harris of Downtown Cincinnati

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

Hi Whitney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to creativity and environments that feel grounding. Growing up as the youngest in a big, high-energy household, I learned early on how to create moments of calm for myself—through art, nature, and anything that helped me slow down.

Plant & Sip started as a simple concept, but it quickly evolved. I began to notice that what I was creating wasn’t just an activity—it was a shift in energy. People would come in carrying stress and leave feeling lighter, more present, and connected. That’s when I realized this was bigger than workshops.

Now, I’m intentionally building Plant & Sip as a curated experience at the intersection of wellness, creativity, and community—with a vision to expand into immersive and recurring programming across different spaces.

I don’t just host events—I create environments where people can regulate, reconnect, and experience themselves differently.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’m a single mom and balancing motherhood while building a business has required a lot of resilience, time management and grace with myself.

I also didn’t start here. I began my career as a news reporter, building Plant & Sip on the side before eventually stepping fully into it. That transition came with uncertainty, but also clarity about what I was truly passionate about.

Entrepreneurship has come with a lot of learning curves. There are moments where you’re figuring things out in real time, making decisions without a roadmap and constantly adjusting. But through that process, I’ve realized that while I’m building a business, I’m also building myself.

It hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped the vision and the woman behind what I’m creating.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always been a creative at my core. Before Plant & Sip, I owned a hair salon and later built a career in media—working in social media management, radio, teaching and eventually as a news producer, anchor and reporter. While I became known as a media professional, creativity has always been the thread connecting everything I do.

Today, I specialize in creating curated experiences that blend creativity, wellness and community. What sets me apart is my ability to combine storytelling with intentional design ..every experience is meant to be felt, not just attended.

I’m most proud of inspiring people to reconnect with their creativity, especially those who don’t see themselves as creative at all.

I create spaces that remind people they’re more creative, more grounded, and more connected than they think.

What’s next?
I’m focused on expanding Plant & Sip into something much larger.
I’m also interested in growing the brand into new markets and exploring opportunities for larger-scale activations, collaborations, and product extensions that support the overall experience.
More than anything, I’m excited about building something that has longevity

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theplantandsip.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantandsipcincy
• Youtube: Plant and sip Cincy