About The Harper Edit

I never set out to be my “grandmother reincarnated,” as my family likes to say. It just kind of happened. Patricia Jeanne Harper may have ballroom-danced her way to the other side over a decade ago, but her influence as the original “it girl” in my life is still very much alive.


Grandma Pat grew up in Indianapolis and studied art at Marion University, where she made lifelong connections with a circle of women who lived boldly and unapologetically, well ahead of their time. She built a standout career in marketing and advertising during an era when many men were still adjusting to women entering their professional domains. When one executive once asked her to fetch his coffee before a meeting, she responded with a polite smile and a firm reminder, “I’m not here to get your coffee. I’m here to make you a whole lot of money.”


Her influence on me started early. While other kids baked cookies with their grandmothers, I wandered through her den, mesmerized by the latest projects spread across her drafting table. One day it could be the layout for a catalog, the next a custom branding designs for a luxury dog collar line. She would sit me down with the Nieman Marcus Christmas catalog each year- not to admire the clothes, but to explain why they lit an item a certain way or chose a specific font. When watching TV, she’d let you know which ads passed the test and which were “the stupidest commercial I’ve ever seen.” These were my first lessons in advertising and design, and they fascinated me.


Pat Harper approached everything in life with a mix of class, sass, and precision, and she inspired everyone around her to do the same. Her influence continues to guide me, and it is the foundation of every project I undertake. I strive to bring that same energy, attention to detail, and creativity to every project and I can’t wait to give yours ‘The Harper Edit’.


Sincerely,
Megan McDowell–Cooper

Founder & Principal Strategist

The Harper Edit

Rooted in Tradition  and Real-World Experience

  • Nearly 20 years in the beauty industry, including 17 years hands-on in the treatment room
  • 10 years as a salon owner, growing from a one-room suite into a full day spa — then intentionally scaling back
  • Lived experience running a local business, not just marketing one
  • Former Director of Marketing for two local home services franchises, translating creative instincts into strategic systems
  • Self-taught in branding, promotions, and websites out of necessity — and genuine curiosity
  • Deep understanding of local visibility, built through Charleston- and Summerville-based businesses
  • Founder of The Harper Edit, blending real-world business experience with thoughtful, credibility-driven marketing
  • Legacy-led approach, inspired by my grandmother’s advertising company, Harper Graphics