About Me

Hi, I’m Brenda Harralson, founder of Focus First Solutions. I help organizations make training clearer, more usable, and far less frustrating for the people who actually have to do the work.

I’m known for bringing calm and structure to situations that feel messy. I listen closely, ask good questions, and design learning that helps people understand what’s expected of them and how to do it well. When a project calls for it, I pull in trusted partners with specialized expertise, because the best work is rarely done in isolation.

I partner with organizations that know training is needed but feel stuck on where to start or why past efforts haven’t landed. I design onboarding, system, and process-based training that helps people feel confident in their roles and consistent in their work. I’m especially drawn to moments when learning feels high stakes, like starting a new job, adopting new technology, or navigating rules that actually matter. My focus is always the same: clarity, usability, and real-world application.

I stay closely involved as the strategic lead and main point of contact, while collaborating behind the scenes when deeper technical, creative, or platform expertise is needed. You can explore my instructional design portfolio to see what that looks like in practice.

My approach is shaped by lived experience. Over time, I’ve learned the value of pace, sustainability, and clarity in how people do their work. That perspective shows up in how I design training today. I believe learning should respect people’s time, reduce friction, and support long-term performance, not overwhelm people with more than they can realistically absorb.

I hold a master’s degree in Adult Education and Human and Organizational Learning and have spent years designing training in complex and regulated environments. I also volunteer with Hire Heroes USA, mentoring veterans and military spouses as they navigate employment transitions, work I find deeply meaningful and grounding.

Outside of work, I’m a single mom to two kids, plus a dog and a cat who keep things lively. I volunteer with NAMI and the Central Texas SPCA, live in Austin, and enjoy being outdoors, spending time with people I care about, and finding really good places to eat and/or enjoy coffee. That balance matters to me, and it shapes how I show up for clients and learners alike.

Focus First Solutions exists because I believe people do their best work when expectations are clear, learning feels supportive, and systems are designed with humans in mind. That belief is at the center of everything I do.