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

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It’s funny because looking back, I have always pursued creative endeavors throughout my life. Growing up, I would make different paper plate crafts with my siblings. In grade school, I made friendship bracelets and wanted to start a business selling them. In high school, I designed album artwork for a friend’s band, and did logos for super cheap to build my portfolio over the years. I never connected the dots about pursuing a career in this – until three years into college, when I found my passion for graphic design in the first design class I ever took. It ignited a fire inside of me and I haven’t given up since.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I dreamed about being a freelance designer, traveling the world and working from wherever I was at the time. Then reality hit in late college when I was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder called Late Onset Tay Sachs, which basically means I have very weak quads and triceps. This may sound like a tangent, but it is an integral part of how I started my business. Being diagnosed put things into perspective for me, so I became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They asked me to talk to the older MDA summer campers about going to college and getting a degree while having a disorder. It was such a positive experience, so I asked how else I could get involved. They were having an art show fundraiser in about a month and said I could product there. Now, at this time, I was doing mostly small freelance projects. I decided to rebrand myself, hand lettered designs and made prints to sell at the art show. Five years later, my business has turned into selling prints, cards, stickers, magnets, ornaments and more! I sell products online and in local shops in the St. Louis area. I have collaborated with the St. Louis Blues hockey team and even have officially licensed merchandise in their store. This was a dream of mine when starting out. If you work hard and put the effort in, you can make your dreams into a reality.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My best words of advice would be to bring your business cards wherever you go! This is one super easy way to grow your social media audience. When you are out and about, you constantly run into people and one of the most common questions people ask during small talk is, “what do you do?” This is where I pull out my business card. I say, let me show you! Here’s my card and a sticker if you’re interested. People get so excited and it’s common for them to look you up on social media right away. Not only is this SOCIAL MEDIA in real life, but these people tend to be the same ones liking, commenting and sharing your social media content because of that one interaction. On vacation, I even put business cards in my pool bag. I know this is over doing it and I am a huge dork, but you make small talk with so many different people at the pool. I have actually gotten business from this tactic.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The aspect I find most rewarding about being a creative business owner is the community that comes along with it. It’s hard making friends as an adult and my business has definitely helped me do that. Not only have I gotten involved with the small business community in St. Louis, I continuously try to connect with fellow creatives. My advice to you is to ask someone that inspires you to grab a coffee or push yourself to go to an event you’re interested in. For example, about three summers ago, I signed up for a small business seminar. My intention for going was to learn about running a small business and maybe gain some life advice from people who had been through it before. Not only did I learn from them, I networked! Going to that seminar, allowed me to connect with someone whose store I now sell in and I found my business coach at that event. It’s crazy how much one event can change your life. Push yourself to take the chance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilystahl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilystahldesignco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilystahldesignco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-stahl-75517a88/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilystahldesignco

Image Credits
First photo listed: Lexie Hassell Photography