Michele and Victoria Harris have had a fantastic life journey, one that has taken them across many continents. Convention would say they are half sisters, as they were born into separate marriages to the same father, yet the term “half” is not commonly heard in their family. Both were born in Montreal, Canada. But in 1970 their story takes on two very distinct paths. Right before turning a year old, Victoria moved to Guatemala City, Guatemala with her parents, who started an ornamental plant export business. She lived there for sixteen years and traveled throughout Europe and the US with her entrepreneurial parents. Michele stayed in Montreal, Quebec with her mom and other sisters. Growing up, the Harris sisters would travel the world to see each other and meet on special occasions. These trips were always fun and full of physical activities.
After graduating from McGill university, Michele’s journey took her China where she studied Mandarin. Over the course of that year she traveled throughout the Far East – including Mainland China, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Nepal, India and Tibet (during the 1987 occupation of the Chinese army). After returning from China, she started her own business in retail design and then continued on to the corporate world to become a VP of Sales. Michele leaves soon for South Africa to visit her eldest son, Julien – who is continuing his family’s legacy of being abroad.
Victoria, after graduating from Denison University, moved to Washington DC where she worked for APCO Worldwide, Complete Wellness Centers and Precision Auto Care, as the head of PR and IR. Upon getting married to an Ohio native, she moved to Columbus and created Moon Over Xelaju, a retail store that imported items that contributed to sustainable development, products hand carved from ethically harvested wood and high end Latin American antiques. She was also a consultant for several small businesses and has been committed to philanthropic endeavors in Columbus since moving there.
They both have a legacy of entrepreneurship, physical fitness, health and a dedication to philanthropy. Their passion for fitness and the need for a change, let them to purchasing Urban Moves from Anne Adair in 2011. Their plan is to continue to grow and develop Urban Moves, support the amazing community that houses their first studio and foster their first business endeavor together.
Michele and Victoria Harris have had a fantastic life journey, one that has taken them across many continents. Convention would say they are half sisters, as they were born into separate marriages to the same father, yet the term “half” is not commonly heard in their family. Both were born in Montreal, Canada. But in 1970 their story takes on two very distinct paths. Right before turning a year old, Victoria moved to Guatemala City, Guatemala with her parents, who started an ornamental plant export business. She lived there for sixteen years and traveled throughout Europe and the US with her entrepreneurial parents. Michele stayed in Montreal, Quebec with her mom and other sisters. Growing up, the Harris sisters would travel the world to see each other and meet on special occasions. These trips were always fun and full of physical activities.
