Welcome to the Studio of Harold Otis

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 My journey began on the East Side of Des Moines, where I was raised with a deep appreciation for resilience, hard work, and humility. I attended Goodrell Middle School and graduated from Des Moines East High School before continuing my education in Hotel & Restaurant Management and Business Management. These early experiences shaped my approach to leadership, service, and personal growth, but the greatest influence on my life was the woman who raised me.

From the very beginning, my life was guided by my adoptive mother, Mildred Otis, a remarkable woman whose strength continues to inspire me every day. Born in 1920, Mildred was the second oldest of twelve children and the oldest daughter, which meant she spent much of her childhood raising her siblings. As an adult, she became a resilient single Black woman who raised her own two children while also caring for her daughter’s children, including her grandson who lived his entire life with cerebral palsy. When my biological mother lost parental rights, Mildred adopted me at age two, giving me stability, love, and a foundation built on compassion. She was my first and most meaningful blessing.

Professional Journey

My professional journey began at age 14, when I took one of the toughest jobs imaginable in my opinion, detasseling corn. The days started at 4 a.m. followed by a long bus ride and hours spent in cold, wet fields that transformed into blazing heat by midday. That job taught me grit and discipline, and it gave me the pride of purchasing my first pair of Jordan 4’s, still my favorites today.

At 15, I entered the restaurant industry, starting as a busboy at Latin King, then moving to Spaghetti Works where I worked as a busboy, salad bar attendant, and server. These roles taught me the value of customer service, teamwork, and staying focused in fast-paced environments.

By 19, my work ethic and reliability earned the trust of Bob Tursi, who invited me to bartend at Latin King. I quickly advanced to bar manager and eventually front of house manager. Those years sharpened my leadership skills and taught me how to run efficient operations while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Seeking new challenges, I transitioned into the corporate world at Interstate All Battery. I began in retail and quickly moved into the corporate office as a Commercial Account Manager in Sales, where I strengthened my abilities in business development, client relationship management, and strategic selling.

Toward the end of my time there, I became the Onboarding Sales Training Manager, responsible for training new hires and coaching existing sales professionals. My focus was on helping individuals improve their techniques, understand customer psychology, and achieve their sales goals through consistent mentoring and accountability. Watching underperforming team members transform into confident, high-performing contributors became one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Alongside my corporate experience, I built a strong background in the fitness industry. I worked as a personal trainer at Lakeside Fitness, helping clients reach their goals, and later became the Assistant General Manager at Gold’s Gym, where I developed leadership, operations, and customer engagement skills that continue to support my professional approach.

I eventually transitioned my talents into technical recruiting and talent acquisition, bringing together my leadership, sales strategy, and people-centered approach. In this role, I specialized in identifying, screening, and selecting highly qualified candidates for various technical roles within the company. With a strong understanding of IT roles and organizational needs, I focused on ensuring both candidates and hiring managers experienced a professional, transparent, and supportive hiring process.

What Drives Me

My story is shaped by resilience, gratitude, and the desire to help others succeed. I am driven by:

• The work ethic I learned in the fields of Iowa
• The leadership skills I developed in restaurants, gyms, and corporate sales
• The mentoring experience gained through coaching and training teams
• The empathy and compassion instilled in me by my mother, Mildred and Bob

Every role I’ve held has centered around one constant theme: helping people grow, whether that means developing their skills, finding the right career opportunity, or becoming the best version of themselves.

My Family & Personal Life

Outside of my career, my greatest joy comes from my family. I am married to Sarah Otis, and together we have three amazing children: Creighton (16), Aspen (13), and Siena (9).

I have a major passion and love for sports—but my favorite athletes are my kids. Whether it’s basketball, volleyball, golf, gymnastics, or softball, I love supporting them, encouraging their growth, and cheering them on in everything they do.

And for anyone who knows me well… I consider myself a Philadelphia Eagles superfan, bleeding green all year long.

Who I Am Today

I am a dedicated professional who leads with integrity, positivity, and genuine commitment to people. My life and career are rooted in the belief that success is built on:

• Hard work
• Resilience
• Continuous learning
• Strong relationships
• Treating people with respect and empathy

From the fields of Iowa to corporate offices, from fitness centers to recruitment, my journey has been shaped by meaningful purpose and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others just as others have made a difference in mine.