BABE #13: EMILY POWELL, Designer + Owner @ Emmy Eff Designs

Although Emily and I have both settled into different cities and I can't truthfully say I remember when the last time I saw her was, we know each other through mutual friends back home. (Have you caught onto the fact that I come from a pretty small town yet?) The beauty of having the digital world at our fingertips is that I've still been able to (creepily) keep up with Emily's adventures. A few years ago, I purchased a necklace from her super successful Etsy shop for a friend's Christmas gift, and by default it was a hit. I love that I was able to order a top quality, meaningful and stunning piece of jewelry from someone who I not only knew personally, but who I never doubted would put 100% of her heart and soul into creating it. Emily is a free-spirited hustlin' babe who has paved her own path to get where she is, and she's doing an incredible job. I hope she's as inspiring to you as she is to me!

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The Basics:

Hometown: Bradenton, FL
Current city: Charlotte, NC
Alma mater + Degree: N/A
Job title: Designer & Owner at Emmy Eff Designs

The Interests:

Babe you admire and why?
My entire local girl gang. They're all total go-getters who inspire me daily.

Must-have item in your purse?
Kleenex. Always comes in handy :) 

Biggest pet peeve?
A relationship that doesn't offer equal effort. Show people how important they are. Relationships are a two-way street!

How do you spend your free time?
I love to paint, read, do yoga, be outside with my dogs, travel, and work on upcoming talks for my Facebook group (for hustlin' babes) called Mission Driven Sisterhood. 

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The Hustle:

I am currently in my third year of designing and handcrafting my own jewelry using metalsmithing and precious wire wrapping techniques, etc. I also specialize in home décor and minerals. In managing my business, I run a personal website as well as a busy Etsy shop. Throughout the year, I do in-person art shows both in and out of state, and prepare various custom orders including everything from bridal to wholesale jewelry. I also enjoy business-to-business (b2b) cross promoting, and working in collaboration with other artists and companies when I can.

On the side, I'm a passionate advocator for active wellness. The Juice Plus company changed my health a few years ago, and because of them, I strive to continue to help others change their health and finances for the better.

What does your typical work day look like?
I like my day to start early - taking my dogs outside, drinking coffee, doing yoga and journaling. Then I catch up on emails and customer order updates, work on current orders and prepare shipping and handling, take photos of new additions to my shop, monitor social media, order supplies and plan for upcoming shows. It never ends!

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Can you tell us why you chose to forego traditional Higher Education before starting your career?
Although I took all honors and AP classes during school (and knew if I wanted to attend college, I could and would do well,) I had no passion for anything I would have gone for. Therefore, I wasn't ready to commit, nor was I willing to dish out the funds. It's wild to me that kids are supposed to choose (and pay for) their life's path straight out of high school - when they don't even know themselves yet. Instead, I started working for a great company that taught me so much, really cultivating my leadership skills. I was then plucked from that by a better company who offered me insurance and commission on top of a reliable salary. In the first year of that job, I was hit with a lot of anxiety and constantly wondering, "what in the world do I really want to do? Is this really me? Will I always be working just 'another job'?"

This is when I had my big epiphany. I read my (now favorite) book, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn, and started changing my mindset (and not-so coincidentally, my health.) As soon as I started focusing on what made me happy, it all really did fall into place. I think if we raised and educated our children to follow their bliss (their passions, and what makes them truly happy) we'd see so many more successful people doing what they love, and doing it well. Instead, society pushes us to do what makes the big bucks, to do what our parents have done, and what their parents did before them, because that's just what we're supposed to do. But why? If you are passionate about being a dentist - awesome. Go be a great dentist, but don't do it because you feel pushed to, do it because you love it. Passion and love should be our driving force in life. That's my biggest motivator.

Favorite part about your job?
Oh, the people for sure! I love in-person shows for this reason, but online interactions are just as great. I get to connect with my customers, share my love + good energy with them and receive positive feedback that keeps me committed to keep going. I've met so many amazing people through my work that have led to incredible new opportunities and experiences.

Something you'd like to change about your job?
I really wish I could function on as little sleep as possible, so I could do even more. I am too blessed to even find a negative with my work. #Jealous.

Who do you hope to be in the future?
Myself. I hope to be able to continue looking in the mirror, thinking, “Hey! There you are: unique and shining. Keep doing your thing, girl!” Being able to just BE you and express yourself beautifully seems like the best reward to me. If I can make a living in the meantime, I'm good. I know that if I stay true, success will naturally follow.

Any funny/embarrassing work moments?
I am awful at pronunciation for some of the stones and crystals with tricky names that I work with. I often look them up and correct myself on how to say them properly!

Career advice for other women?
Put the work into your dream. Nothing happens overnight, nothing happens with a negative attitude, and nothing happens without effort. Work hard, stay positive no matter what, and realize the joy is in the journey. Enjoy your progression and how far you’ve come.

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Follow Emily!

Etsy | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Snapchat: @EmmyEff

Photos by Mark Boles Photography

This interview has been condensed and edited.