Erin Lindquist
Erin Lindquist
Web Designer / Founder of EM Workshop
Brooklyn, NY
www.emworkshop.co
instagram @erinmichaela__
instagram @arrivewell
instagram @emworkshopco
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I own a website design studio Brooklyn called Em Workshop and founded a new modern travel brand, Arrive Well.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Step 1 - Go to Architecture school.
Step 2 - Decide you don’t want to pay for graduate school and instead, get a job at an e-commerce consulting startup.
Step 3 - Realize your dream job was actually a (super stressful) nightmare.
Step 4 - In a moment of clarity, acknowledge that even though you are good at your job, you are only here for the money.
Step 5 - Wallow in self pity and eat more leftover christmas cookies while your small tech company gets swallowed up by a bigger company. Then make a sad face because even under new management, you are still miserable.
Step 6 - Have an eye opening happy hour with close friends and eventually “snap out if it, girl!”
Step 7 - Say : “I Quit”
Step 8 - Start your own company.
Step 9 - Care about others and the environment
Step 10 - Do good work and be creative everyday.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
One of the reasons why I love working in a creative field is everyone's ability to think outside the box. For sure an overused phrase, but its so important that we don’t lose our ability to do that - especially in a day and age (like now) where we are constantly being pinged with top 10 lists and curated content feeds that tell us who to be, how to act and what to believe in. I stand out because I truly believe that anything is possible, and then, I become obsessed with figuring out a way to make it happen. So it's this fun combo of dreaming and doing that makes me happy to wake up and get caffeinated in the morning.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
1. Part 2 of the Emworkshop.co Rebrand - I want to start towards a more inclusive model where I can support individuals and small businesses who don’t have a huge budget to understand the basics of building a successful website and have a little fun along the way.
2. Creating some fresh online training videos for new and experiences Squarespace + Shopify users.
3. In the furniture world, an old school desk design that I’m trying to reimagine. Coming soon.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I love thoughtful design. Trends will come and go - but if its built with intention and rooted with a lot of positive energy and care, it will last. I love projects that become more beautiful the closer you get to them. I'm always on the hunt for that which brings a little brightness and excitement to my day.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Furniture + Travel
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Well my least favorite part of running a business is accounting - bleh. But ya gotta do your taxes ya’ll! The other challenge is that I’ve scooped a lot of ambitious ventures onto my plate. I often consider daily if I need to put some of them away for now and just focus on one thing? Somedays I feel overwhelmed, but overall, I’m loving the variety, the energy and the pursuit of different things.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Whichever of the following they were most interested in: help me take photographs for projects, help me film some online training videos, scope out fun travel opportunities, reminding me to drink water and take me out for a walk every once and a while and or yoga.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Flashback to study abroad in Florence.
Note to self: spend less time studying abroad and more time actually living abroad. Because you're in freaking Florence Italy, so soak in every moment! (As the kids these days might say - "Yolo!")
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
1) How to win at a remote work lifestyle.
2) How to beat the 'ughs' master taxes and bookkeeping.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
1. Need help creating your perfect online homebase? I’m your gal.
2. Have any ideas for Squarespace/Website training videos you wish existed but don't? Send me a line and lets make it happen.
3. Work in the travel industry? Are you a frequent traveler? Let’s get coffee - I’d love to hear your story.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Recipe for success: Equal parts respect, clear communication, and open mindedness. Then sprinkle in ¾ cup playfulness and ½ cup good chemistry. Bring it all together and bake until golden. Voila!
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It really depends on the project, but typically $150/hour. Negotiations are on the table - let me know what you have in mind!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I’m pretty open in terms of the how. If one is interested, feel free to DM on instagram, email me, or, if you’re in the mood - I’m always up for a good, old fashioned phone call! Just let me know who you are and what 'next big thing' you want to make together.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
See. Inhale. Do. Exhale. Rest. Repeat.
This member profile was originally published in February 2018.