Primitive Employee Spotlight: Alison Quisenberry

Name: Alison Quisenberry

Position: Copywriter

Location: Lubbock, Texas 

Job Description: Whatever a client needs, I write it. I also take steps to ensure it is the best product possible. This includes research, collaboration with teammates, and editing.

What is your personal background?

I am from Lubbock and graduated from Lubbock-Cooper High School. I then graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Electronic Media and Mass Communication. I worked in digital marketing for one year, TV news for two, and then found my way to Primitive. 

My family is all located in Lubbock and I spend most of my time with them. I have a little brother who’s 21 and a little sister who’s 17. I also have a 5-year-old pitbull mix named Finley. 

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I don’t think people who aren’t writers truly understand the power of words and language. It is so exciting and fulfilling to take information our clients give us and put it into words that make a venture they are passionate about sound whimsical or meaningful or powerful. It’s a privilege to be trusted to do that and I love seeing clients realize how much intentional writing can transform their brand.  

What is the most challenging part of your work? 

The most challenging part of my work is both a blessing and a curse. I am surrounded by colleagues who do their jobs exceptionally well and clients who make our job fulfilling and enjoyable. This creates a very high bar that I’m constantly striving to meet. I want to make sure I am doing my best work day in and day out for both colleagues and clients. This can create a bit of pressure – but it can also force immense professional growth. 

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Speak another language like Spanish or ASL! This may sound basic, but I find it a very intentional and meaningful way to show people whose first language is not English that you care about them.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Wake up. Cuddle my dog. Check my calendar. Start writing. :) 

How do you stay motivated?

Someone has to provide for my dog and let me tell you – it isn’t going to be her.

Who do you admire and how have they influenced you and your work? 

The people I admire most in my life are my parents. My dad joined the military right out of high school to create a foundation for his life and went on to become a successful bank executive and business owner. My mom went back to school in her 30s, with three kids, to obtain a degree. She did this not only to be better for her family, but for herself. 

My parents were not provided the luxury of seeking higher education on a normal timeline and had to work extremely hard to provide the life they did for themselves and us. So even if I’m having a bad day or feeling stressed at work, that will never outweigh the blessings I’ve been afforded. It makes me want to work that much harder every day to show them their struggles were not for nothing. 

My parents have also always been extremely supportive of my career. I’m not sure it’s every parents’ dream for their kid to tell them they want to be a writer, instead of a doctor or a lawyer. But they’ve never let me forget how talented I am and how proud of me they are. It pushes me to continue to pursue what I love every day.

What’s something not everyone knows about you? 

97% of the TV I consume is documentaries. About anything. Current favorite: Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.

In five words (or less) what advice would you give someone in your profession? 

Read more to write better.

Fill in the blank: I never leave the house without chapstick!