We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Campbell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

As a growing business in the interior design industry, I’ve chosen to manage my own social media—a decision that has been both intentional and strategic. With a background in fashion design and digital marketing, I have hands-on experience in both agency and in-house settings, which has shaped my approach to building a brand online.

After high school, I moved to Los Angeles to study fashion design and product development at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). I worked in the fashion industry for a few years before transitioning into social media marketing for fashion companies, including WWD MAGIC (the largest fashion trade show in the U.S.), AG Jeans, Timbuk2, and Slumberkins. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of content strategy, audience engagement, and brand development—skills that naturally carried over when I launched Emily Jean Interior Design.

Managing my own social media felt like a no-brainer. My business is deeply personal—it reflects my design philosophy, personality, and approach to working with clients. Because I operate independently, it’s important that my brand voice remains authentic and true to who I am. Social media isn’t just a marketing tool; it’s a way to connect with my audience, share insights into my creative process, and showcase my work in a way that feels natural and engaging.

That being said, the biggest challenge (for everyone!) is time. Between client projects, sourcing materials, site visits, and the day-to-day operations of running a business, carving out time for content creation isn’t always easy. Social media is constantly evolving, and keeping up with trends, algorithm shifts, and best practices can feel overwhelming. However, I’ve found that documenting my process—taking photos during those site visits or while sourcing materials, and jotting down content ideas in my Notes app—helps me create posts more efficiently when I do have time to sit down and make a post.

For business owners wondering whether to manage their own social media or hire someone, I generally recommend starting out by doing it yourself. No one knows your brand better than you do, and in those early stages, it’s crucial to build a voice that truly represents your business. With tools like Canva for graphics, Later for scheduling, and AI-powered assistance for content creation, managing your own social media is more accessible than ever. Once you establish a strong foundation and understand what works for your brand, you can always bring in support—whether that’s a virtual assistant, freelancer, or agency—to help execute your vision while maintaining consistency. If you do hire outside help, make sure they take the time to understand your brand voice. They should be asking a lot of questions upfront to ensure everything they create aligns with your vision.

At the end of the day, social media is about connection. Whether you manage it yourself or bring in help, the key is to stay authentic, engage with your audience, and create content that resonates. If you approach it with consistency and a clear strategy, it can be one of the most powerful tools for growing your business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Emily Campbell is a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (Los Angeles) and a current student at Heritage School of Interior Design (Portland) with lived experience in design firms and personal projects including a new home custom build and a complete 1990’s home renovation.

After being nudged by her own gut along with the encouragement of friends and family, Emily decided to begin working again in the design industry in 2024—supporting individuals and families to create spaces that bring joy and invite a strong sense of comfort and ease to daily life.

Known for making timeless choices that hold a special touch, she is a firm believer that every home – and every family – has a beautiful story to share.

Emily has always had a keen eye for color and is often complimented on unexpected pairings that surprisingly work in harmony together. She is passionate about playing with color, pattern, and texture in a gentle and tasteful application.

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At Emily Jean Interior Design, I specialize in creating timeless interiors that are anything but boring. With you—my client—in mind, it’s my priority and my responsibility to honor the things most important to you. Whether it be a memory, an activity, a special trinket, or something else entirely, I want to learn those things about your life and incorporate them thoughtfully into the design of your home.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My career in design started with fashion, but as my life has evolved and my family has grown, I’ve come to appreciate the impact of a well-designed home. A home should be more than just the place we reside—My hope is that home becomes a space created to be uniquely our own–with an ability to envelop us in comfort, give us butterflies in all of its beauty, and remind us of our unique and special life moments. We don’t need a boutique hotel in Mexico to feel at peace; our own homes should give us that deep inhale and exhale we crave. My goal in interior design is to create spaces that reflect this philosophy—homes that are timeless, personal, and deeply fulfilling to live in.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Someone that might not consider themselves a “creative” may not understand why we change our minds so much (ha!). I had to get over the fear of being a perceived failure in order to unleash my own creativity. In an effort to make something new, it takes trying things on to see what sticks. Creativity isn’t about getting it right the first time—it’s about experimenting, refining, and staying open to new possibilities. The magic happens in the process!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilyjeaninteriordesign.com
• Instagram: emilyjeaninteriordesign
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/emilykolberg/
• Other: http://pinterest.com/emilyjeaninteriordesign/

Image Credits

Genny Moller Photography
Carli Rude Photography