Florence Broadhurst |

Me & Em Name Print

(Image courtesy of Emily Foote)

Can you introduce yourself and your business to my readers?

Hi my name is Emily Foote of Me & Em Graphic Design. I’m a Graphic Designer and artist who has created a gorgeous range of products to decorate babies & children’s bedrooms.

What made you take the leap into small business?

At the time I was a single parent, working in graphic design for the local newspaper and studying part-time to reach my goal of becoming a freelance graphic designer. I didn’t want to be limited to designing for newspapers, and I wanted the opportunity to put more of my personal stamp on things as I have a strong need for self-expression.

Which social media platforms do you use to publish and promote your work? (include links here if you like)

Almost all of them!! I love social media as a way to promote my products and services, it allows me to do it all for free, and to reach out to my large circle of friends & family and tap into their networks as well. I especially love the visual aspects of Instagram and Pinterest.

Facebook

Etsy

Pinterest & Instagram: meandemandyou

Who and or what inspires you in your life and your business?

Other female artists and designers inspire me, such as the late textile designer Florence Broadhurst – she was such a vivacious character and had a real drive and determination to succeed – but unfortunately passed away.

Colour & nature are always intriguing to me, I can generate new ideas just from looking at a particular colour swatch or plant in the garden! I also love to play around with interior design in my house.

How do you treat yourself after a long week of work?

My weekdays can be incredibly hectic as I’m still working 2 jobs part-time on top of running my business, so I definitely need to wind down on a Friday night! I take my partner Steven and 5-year-old Hunter out to our favourite pizza joint. Hunter thinks it’s great because it’s the only chance he gets to have lemonade!

Me & Em Number Print

(Image courtesy of Emily Foote)

If you could donate $1m to a charity of your choosing, which would you choose and why?

That’s a hard one because I’d love to help everybody! But Epilepsy Action Australia is one that is close to my heart – my eldest cousin Robin suffers from a very rare form of Epilepsy – called MELAS. It affects the nervous system, brain and muscles, creating a slow deterioration in bodily functions. He has stroke-like episodes which progressively damage all his systems, however he’s lived well past the expected age for survival of 30 years of age. I’d love to give $million to aid in the research of this disease.

What is the single best piece of advice you’ve received?

Be yourself! You cannot get the best out of life if you try to do exactly what other people are doing. Forge your own path, and blaze your own trail.

Me & Em Personalized Wedding Bunting

(Image courtesy of Emily Foote)

What is your favourite of all the products you’ve created and why?

My favourite product is the Vintage Floral custom name poster. Each illustration is researched and created specifically to match the meaning of the child’s name. I love when I get a new order as it sparks my imagination and allows that creative drive to happen. Personalised things make such special gifts that can be treasured forever.

What has been your greatest achievement in your business to date?

There’s no one thing that I focus on but the general pride I feel in creating and running this business all on my own is a fantastic feeling.

How have you overcome your biggest challenge (in life or business)?

The biggest challenge for me in my business has been time management! I still struggle with it occasionally because it is a constant thing that doesn’t go away on its own. When you are the sole owner/operator and employee, you have to do EVERYTHING! To manage this I write lots of lists, have a diary and calendar handy all the time, and prioritize/rearrange schedules constantly. My email is always active and if I have 5 minutes spare I use it to get on top of any communications I’ve not yet responded to.

Name three things that put an enormous smile on your face.

1. My son’s cheeky grin and giggle – he is a very charismatic and funny little boy, I think he’ll go into a job in theatre when he’s older.

2. Food! I’m a self-confessed foodie, I eat a lot, cook a lot, and talk about food all the time!

3. Babies – I love the innocence and purity, their tiny little bodies, sweet-smelling skin and that they rely on you for all their needs.

If you were granted $100k for your small business, how would you spend it?

I would probably use it to develop heaps of new product ranges, not just for babies & children. I’d love to put my stamp on interiors with tableware, upholstery, bed linen, wallpaper etc I could go on for hours!!

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? In ten years?

In five years time I’d like to be working from home 5 days a week with excellent sales and time to create new products for your home.

Can you describe your business in three words.

Uplifting, Bespoke & Inspired.

What makes you different from your competitors?

Great design should be thoughtful, considered and deliberate – some large businesses out there are spewing forth mountains of new products and imagery which are highly manufactured but poorly executed. They are created to fill a perceived market, but not everyone wants a picture that a million other people have also got. My designs are unique, original illustrations which have been thoughtfully developed and lovingly created.

If there was one person you could swap lives with for a day, who would it be and why?

I have a girl crush on Beyonce, so I’d love to step into her shoes and get some great business advice. Also to be able to sing like her would be amazing, currently I love to sing but nobody else does!

Which song that always gets stuck in your head?

That Taylor Swift song “Trouble” gets in there all the time! “I knew you were trouble when you walked in…”

Your next holiday destination and what will you do on the first day?

Really hoping to have a mini getaway to a B&B in the King Valley. Not too far from home, and a nice quiet place to relax. I’ll be reading magazines and having a massage for sure!

Which small business are you loving right now?

Nest Design Studio – Belinda is an Interior designer who specializes in making over children’s bedrooms. They are delightfully uplifting rooms and are decorated with such care.

Any parting words for my readers?

It sounds corny, but follow your dreams! You can be anything you want to be if you work hard and have determination to succeed.

You can help me build my Em-pire by liking and sharing my Facebook page, or head on over to my Etsy store to make a purchase! Each package sent is a little bundle of joy for you and me.

www.etsy.com/shop/meandemgraphicdesign

Thanks so much to Emily for participating in Little Red’s Guest Book today, I’m a big fan of her work and can’t wait to see where her vision takes her next!

If you’d like to be part of Little Red’s Guest Book, please contact Lauren via lauren@littleredwritingsolutions.com.au

LEJ