Emily May on Leaving Corporate, Starting Your Own Business and Motherhood

Get ready for an inspiring and relatable conversation on this episode of the Write Your Own Story podcast! Join host Betsy Leonidas as she sits down with the amazing Emily May, a talented interior designer who made the leap from the corporate world to starting her own business. 

Emily opens up about her lifelong passion for interior design and how she felt confined in her corporate job. She shares some of the signs that made her realize it was time for a change, like hiding her interest in home design magazines and not feeling fulfilled. With her family growing, she craved more flexibility and wanted to prioritize spending time with her loved ones. 

Of course, making the decision to leave her stable corporate job wasn't easy. Emily discusses the fears she had, such as losing momentum in her career and money concerns. However, she discovered that the solutions were simpler than she thought. She realized that even if things didn't work out, she could always find another job. A pivotal moment came when she had a conversation with an Uber driver who had also recently made a big career change. It made Emily feel less alone and more confident in her decision.

When Emily started her own business, she had a clear vision in mind. She wanted to be approachable and affordable for clients with smaller budgets. She offers design consultations and space plans that clients can execute themselves using affordable stores. 

Balancing motherhood and a growing business has its challenges, but Emily has found her groove. She realized that having big monetary or growth goals made her unhappy as a mom, so she shifted her priorities to focus on enjoying time with her kids. And you know what? Her business thrives because she truly loves the work she's doing.

Throughout the episode, Emily shares valuable tips and insights that aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from. From writing down fears and solutions to gaining credibility through early publicity, she knows what it takes to succeed. Emily also talks about the importance of meeting clients where they are skill-wise and overcoming imposter syndrome through referrals rather than formal training. Her story is a testament to the power of following your passions and being scrappy to show up for yourself in any way possible.

Tune in to this episode of the Write Your Own Story podcast and get ready to be inspired by Emily May's incredible journey from corporate interior design to building her own successful business. You won't want to miss it!