Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Brown.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been doing something creative, whether it was drawing, dance, photography, music, or some form of design. I always knew I had to be in a creative profession and wanted to work for myself, but it took me a while to find the right profession.
I studied fine art and design in college. Once I graduated, I moved to NYC and landed my dream job as a web and graphic designer at a major record label. Music is my biggest passion, so combining design and music was totally surreal. My colleagues noticed I had a natural way of thinking about user experience, so I moved into a user experience designer role which was my first introduction to studying user behavior. As amazing as this experience was, after a few years I had lost fulfillment in the digital medium. I wanted to create something tangible, long-lasting, and something that people could interact within the physical world. This was my driving force to move into the interior design industry!
Upon moving to Austin, I decided to put tech and the digital world aside and began working for an interior designer. With the help of this designer and other local industry leaders, I was able to gain experience and decided to go back to school to pursue a second degree in interior design and horticulture (my love for plants is a whole other story!)
In 2018, I opened my design studio, Emily Lauren Interiors, and we’re excited to celebrate our 5-year anniversary in March!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I can confidently say the road has been bumpy! Leaving a stable career and transitioning into a new one was scary, and many people shared their concerns about my decision. Although the journey ahead was unknown, I knew I didn’t want to be in a career I didn’t find fulfilling, and I was looking forward to exploring something new.
Navigating life while making a career change and going back to school is no easy task. In order to do this, I took a massive pay cut, lost my benefits, commuted to San Marcos for school five days a week, and had to re-prioritize almost every aspect of my life. I was still working as much as possible and even started my business before graduating. Oh, and did I mention my husband and I were also planning our wedding during this time!? Looking back now, I wonder how I had the energy!
There were many days when I was exhausted, had my doubts, and questioned my decisions. I wondered if it would all pay off or if the stress was worth it. Although my husband is the most supportive partner in the world, I had guilt that he was working more hours to cover where my income was lacking, and we had to put travel and other life experiences on hold until I graduated. I questioned if I was cut out to be a business owner and wondered if my ideal clientele was even in Austin or if anyone would like my design aesthetic or connect with my passion for sustainability.
Now that I’m able to focus on my business full time, I can confidently say that it was all worth the stress and exhaustion, and this career transition has had high rewards! I have fallen in love with the challenges of being a business owner, and I feel at home working in the interior design and construction industry. I learn something new with every project and I’ve been lucky enough to partner with incredible architects and builders. I get to work with kind and interesting homeowners who put so much trust in me with their sacred spaces. This journey has been well worth it and I’m excited for the growth ahead!
As you know, we’re big fans of Emily Lauren Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Emily Lauren Interiors is an interior architecture & design studio rooted in mindfulness and minimalism. We design pared-down spaces for creative thinkers who want to make conscious decisions about their space and environment. Grounded by our northern roots and Scandinavian design principles, we connect interiors with nature by embracing the imperfections of honest, natural materials that will age beautifully over time. We’re guided by storytelling and the functions of everyday life rather than trends and approach every project with great attention to craftsmanship, detail, and finish.
We currently work in residential design and looking to expand into boutique commercial and hospitality spaces in Austin.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a huge risk-taker and always have been! My best friend told me recently that I have no “fear filter.” What she meant is that I try not to let fear dictate my actions, and if I want to try something, I go for it!
I think my outlook on risktaking stemmed from my childhood when my family and I moved to the United States. I grew up just outside of Toronto, Canada, and moved to the US as a teenager. Although Canada is just our northern neighbor, there was still quite a bit of culture shock moving to the US. I spoke differently, spelled words differently, and there were a lot of cultural nuances I didn’t understand. There was an adjustment period, but once I found my place, I no longer felt afraid to try new experiences or to take risks.
I knew starting a business and working for myself would be a big risk, but it’s taught me to trust my instincts and continue challenging myself with new ideas and experiences. It has forced me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, to be resourceful, and to learn from other people. I had no idea how to run a business when I started, but I knew I could figure it out if I tried. Have I made mistakes along the way? Absolutely! But with each mistake, there have been lessons learned, and I’ve come out smarter and stronger. I’m a big fan of risk-taking and believe risks make life interesting and keep us on our toes!
Contact Info:
- Email: emily@emilylaureninteriors.com
- Website: emilylaureninteriors.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/emilylaureninteriors
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/emilylaureninteriors/
Image Credits
– Madeline Harper Photography (All portfolio photos except 1) – Molly Culver Photography (Last portfolio photo) – Feather & Twine (Portrait)
