Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Hart
Hi Emily, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Of course. My dad is an entrepreneur and I’ve always admired his work ethic and leadership. My mom is an interior designer, and she has an incredible eye for all things design. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my parents – tagging along and observing in all their business ventures. Watching them inspired my own dream to start a business.
In my previous work experiences, one thing remained constant, I found a way to incorporate design into my work. I worked for an architect doing 3d renderings of home interiors. I jumped to corporate events and brought design elements to the table – from laying out event floor plans to designing centerpieces, to creating custom trade show booths, entrance experiences and so much more. Design was always at the core of everything I did.
In 2019, my husband and I bought our house and completely renovated it. It was my first full design project and I was hooked. That’s when the idea of starting my own design business clicked, but it wasn’t the right time. Since we had just bought and renovated a house, we couldn’t afford for me to quit my job. So I stayed put, working in corporate events and continuing to foster my love for design.
Fast forward to 2023, I was burnt out from traveling and ready for something new. I decided it was time to leave corporate and my vision became clear, it was time to start my own business. From there, Emplicity was born.
I began Emplicity with a goal – to create spaces that are warm, welcoming, maintainable and beautiful through functional design. In my first 18 months in business, I’ve been able to transform spaces while keeping true to that goal.
I’m proud of how far my business has come in a short amount of time and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it’s been fairly smooth, I have some great mentors that have really helped me in getting off the ground.
The biggest challenge I’ve found starting a business was the same as most small business owners face – learning to navigate all the things that come with it. Business licenses, tax numbers, insurance, accounting, managing social media, networking, running the business and being present for clients day in and day out. It’s a real grind and it’s hard to set boundaries at first.
The 3 things I learned from it and would tell other small business owners starting out are:
1. It’s important, even crucial, to to segment your time.
Schedule time blocks for accounting, social media, networking opportunities, and client meetings. If you don’t dedicate your time to certain aspects of running the business, your business will run you.
2. You must learn to say no.
Saying no is a really hard one to learn. As a small business owner you want to jump on every opportunity. You have to be careful to really take a step back and look at what certain opportunities are bringing to the table. Ask yourself – Is this the direction I want my business to go? Can I personally or financially grow from this? Will I learn something new from this? If you answer “no” to all those, then it’s probably not the right opportunity. So say no, allow room for opportunities that will benefit you in the long run.
3. Know the value you bring to the table, that’s what will keep you going.
If you don’t recognize your value, you’ll be taken advantage of. Price your services according to your skillset, and know that rejection is okay. Not everyone will understand the value but don’t sell yourself short. You’re worth it, your business is worth it!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Emplicity offers a wide breath of services in both residential and commercial design. With expertise in design and organization, we bring a different approach to the table. We not only want to ensure your spaces are beautiful but functional for your typical day-to-day routines. All of our designs are thoughtfully curated to work within your lifestyle and maximize the spaces around you.
Our service offerings are scalable based on client needs and budget but a typical project includes:
– Mood boards
– Space Planning
– 2d floorplans
– 3d renderings
– Fit & Finish selections – tile, paint, flooring, fixtures, hardware, etc.
– Furniture selections
I love that we offer design for both residential and commercial spaces. Doing both allows us to broaden our portfolio and challenges us to think outside the box.
Residential design is personal and I love working with different clients to bring their vision to life. I want the designs to reflect the family’s style and think it’s important to bring in pieces that make them happy. I really want my clients to love the spaces that surround them.
With a background in corporate events, I have a soft spot for commercial design. There is a fun challenge with maximizing commercial spaces to work for multiple people. Seeing a company’s brand reflected in their space is fun and unique. I love getting to understand different brands and create spaces that their employees want to work in. Designing a restaurant and a hotel is a big goal of mine, I think those spaces would be so fun to create.
For most proud of, I’d have to say one of my recent projects. I was brought on to design an 11,000 square foot luxury office in Marietta. It was a really big under-taking but it turned out better than I could have imagined. I’ll share some of the photos from my shoot with you to share.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think we are going to see some big shifts in the industry as AI becomes more prevalent. They have apps now that can redesign your space from a photo. Those AI re-designs aren’t to scale but can help build a roadmap for what a renovation could be. For us designers, we’re going to have to continue to evolve and use those tools to work for us instead of against us. We can combine AI generated images with real scaled designs to show what could be, without hours of rendering time. Saving us time and our clients money, that’s a win-win.
One of the challenges that I’ve found lately is all the technology that is incorporated into homes. We’re having to find creative ways to bring that in without compromising the design or function. They are making more aesthetically pleasing tech but most people don’t want to see it day in and day out.
As for trends, there will always be trends in design. It’s hard to say what those will be over 5 -10 years. Currently, things are moving more towards rich, bold colors. Who knows where we will go from there. While I love to see the trends, I wouldn’t say I design to the “in” trend. I like to focus on what my clients really love and aim to provide a timeless design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emplicitydesign.com
- Instagram: @emplicity_design
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emplicitydesign
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f1qigZDUrxTPYceR7?g_st=ic
Image Credits
Elizabeth Lauren Granger Photography (@elizabethlaurengranger)
