Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Crawford.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a thinker and problem solver by nature. Growing up, I watched and analyzed as my dad owned a small interior installation company (Masterpiece Installation Services) that services the interior design trade all over the country. I would like to say that it was exciting hearing about the fancy people and places he was working for, but it actually revealed to me the labor side of this industry. It grew in me an appreciation for those behind the scenes, the people figuring out “how” to do something and then, for the ones actually doing it. It taught me how be patient with problem solving, flexible when working for others and that excellence wasn’t always rewarded with money and fame. What is interesting is that, I didn’t realize any of that until a couple years ago when I got invited to a local church. They created services where over 3,000 students across the Atlanta area met weekly. I remember loving their intentions to connect with me, their attention to detail and the way, their service made me feel. This is where I got connected with an events mentor, learned the skills of project managing and where I fell in love with designing events with a message.
About five years ago, when I was walking to class my freshman year of college, I received a phone call that changed the trajectory of my life. I was asked to move back home (Alpharetta, GA) to help launch a student program at their newest campus, Gwinnett Church (the fifth North Point Ministries campus). This is where I really grew not only as a person, but as a creative and a leader. Since this was currently a temporary campus, we were faced with many challenges. I really had to learn how to problem solve on my own and how to create experiences for students who may be walking in for the first time. What I learned is that it takes the same passion for 30 students that is needed for 3,000 students.
After a couple of years, Gwinnett noticed what I was doing in the student space and pulled me out to create more church wide. This launched me into not only creating at one campus, but their multi-site campuses as well. As I continued to work for more people, I decided to move forward with joining a company where I could have higher profile opportunities that would allow me to not only serve the church, but companies beyond. That is how I got to Opposite Entertainment, the company I now help run.
Has it been a smooth road?
Most people know what they want, but can’t always articulate it. As a person who has to picture a project before it exists yet, it requires a lot of clear communication along the way. When you’re asked to connect all of the pieces together, it takes time to gain the trust you need not only in yourself, but from others. I’ve also learned that there is a big difference between dreaming and doing and someone has to sit in the middle of those to actually bring creations to life. Most of the time, you’re asked to dream for the stars, but with a small amount of resources. I’ve found that there is a beauty in making something out of nothing, especially when what you’re making inspires people, but what makes the most money isn’t necessarily the most fulfilling.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I work for a company called Opposite Entertainment which exists to create experiences that connect people to purpose. It is a company I helped start and currently run alongside another Atlanta creative, Joseph Sojourner. This company is a direct reflection of the skills I’ve been taught along the way. It allows me to combine my love for puzzles and for creativity. I get to manage an artist, design environments, speak into programming for live events, and I help produce products that carry those experiences beyond just the stage. People always told me “don’t be good at a lot of things, be great at one thing,” but somehow I gained a reputation that my greatness was found in the diversity of what I could get done and my heart behind doing it. I believe, I wasn’t built to be just a designer. I was built to be the person who fills in the gaps, but that is gifted at design.
I look forward to the quality of creatives we get to work alongside everyday. To be able to work with people who aren’t just talented in their gifts, but quality in their character is something to be proud of. I believe this is what sets us a part from others but to be honest, I try not to think about that. I actually think sometimes our desire to be different could be a problem. The need to put our own specific stamp on something can cause us to neglect what is actually best for that specific experience or client. I try not to concern myself with being different as much as, putting the right pieces together that allows a client to experience the next best step for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oppositeentertainment.com
- Phone: 404-409-2431
- Instagram: @emilyncrawford
- Other: @oppositeentertainment
Image Credit:
Garrett Lobaugh – @garrett_lobaugh
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