Emily Tolipova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Emily, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that has been bringing me a lot of joy lately has been snail mail subscriptions! I love getting items in the mail that aren’t bills or ads, and its so great to get something physical that adds some whimsy to your day. The current one I do usually includes a recipe card, a mini print, a spotify playlist, and some other fun paper items like stickers! I have definitely been leaning into the snail mail these days.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there! My name is Emily Tolipova and I am a graphic designer, wildlife illustrator, and momma to two little rascals I call my children, based in Texas. I’m also the creator behind Where’d The Wild Things Go, a passion project turned business featuring endangered and local species in bright watercolors mixed with playful typography. My work stands at the intersection of art, education, and play. Whether you are learning about birds with my bird bingo cards, finding out about endangered species in your own state, or just learning a fun fact along way, there’s something for every animal lover in your life!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I would say a moment that really shaped how I see the world was the birth of my son. It was traumatic and messy and definitely made me realize life is too short to not do the things you’ve always been curious about. Everything can change in a split second so might as well make sure you are having fun along the way!
Since having him, I started doing in person markets which was really key in me building a community here in Texas after moving from the midwest. I’ve tried parkour, quit my corporate job, traveled internationally for a month, and more since and really adventured outside of my comfort zone to embrace all the potential around me!
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I would say something that suffering taught me, whether small scale or in larger ways, is that looking back, being here today, we’ve all survived our hardest days. We’ve all had moments that in the thick of it, it’s overwhelming, but somehow, someway, we made it past those to where we are today.
It’s easy to feel hopeful when everything is going well and you’re succeeding. It’s a lot harder to do that when sometimes nothing feels like it is going your way. Perseverance and that persistency to keep going, that’s what will get you through those hard times to the other side. It’s also what will grow your brand, what will shape you, it’s a chisel that builds us out into our current selves.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say yes, for the most part, the public version people interact with is the real me. I love creating things, brainstorming new ideas and thinking of ways to incorporate play into all aspect of my work. I’m also a bit of a goofball who is very often caught making jokes, and laughing over the puns in my work. I’m a big believer in your actions needing to match your words and work hard to embody that in everything I do both in and outside of my company.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow and no longer sold my work anywhere I think people would miss the bird bingos the most. Someone at a market once told me that we are all only six degrees of separation away from knowing a birder and I couldn’t agree more! The bingo cards have been a hit in connecting people of all ages and touching on that nostalgia we all loved in our youth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wheredthewildthingsgo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheredthewildthingsgo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheredthewildthingsgo
Image Credits
Headshot & Close Up sketch: Godaddy team
