Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin McDonald.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been in the event design industry since the early 90’s where I worked as a freelance designer with some of the top event design companies in the city. Being in my early twenties at the time I was juggling being a professional dancer and freelance event designer. Throughout the years I moved to different parts of the country and worked with other formidable companies in the event world, not truly sure of what direction I wanted to go. In early 2004, while living in San Diego, I received a call that would forever change my life. My brother Sean died and I lost a very big part of my life. Around the same time, Heffernan Morgan, now HMR, opened up their sales force and I became part of that team for about 6 years. After leaving HMR, I went on a quick jaunt of becoming a planner…not the best idea for me. I realized I should stick to design and leave the logistics to the pros. I have luckily been able to travel all over the globe doing this crazy job of event design, from Mexico to Italy, and all over the US. Years ago a very close friend told me that “the best event designers were florists first”, and I truly believe that. I am florist with added skills. Once fabric, lighting, furniture and all that became the norm we became event designers. My life has evolved within this arena and I have learned so much from so many. These days I am designing events for lots of first time clients, second weddings, and tons of life celebrations. I collaborate with so many people now that my job is more of Creative Director than event designer and it is awesome. EMC is thrilled at the evolution of our small company and are honored by all those who choose to work with us. The future not only holds LOTS of great event design but several fun interior design projects on our docket. Do something you love and the work will follow.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the early years I had an addictive personality that took me into different directions and less focused on being a professional. Smooth road sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have made some extraordinarily smart decisions in my life and some exhaustingly stupid ones, at the same time. Struggles no and yes. I am a creative person and often can’t shut it off. Therefore, I struggle with allowing others to make the decisions on design because I want it a certain way. Luckily I have certain people in my life now that have taught me to release that pressure on myself, and I am grateful for them. I am a designer, always have been able to create things, but running a business has been a struggle for me in the past. I did not have the right team of people to assist me with the internal portion of the business. It is not something new…left and right side brain thing. It took me a bit more time than most, I guess, to get my act together. The past seven years have been an eye opener for me and have allowed me to delve into “my” interior and it has been a great sole cleanser. I try to just stay true to myself, stick to myself, and put my nose down and get to work. Competition is fierce these days and there are a lot of great companies out there doing beautiful work, but there is still plenty of business for us all. I believe that when you allow yourself to constantly learn, grow and evolve into different areas, there will always be work out there for you.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Erin McDonald Co – what should we know?
EMC is an event design and production company based out of Chicago. We specialize in a beautiful floral design paired with chic accompaniments of fabric, lighting, and furnishings for events. I am known a pretty clean aesthetic throughout my events. I am not a fancy, shiny, shimmering type of designer but like to keep a handsome angle throughout each of my designs, whether event or interior. I have a tendency to like low profile designs on the tabletops but big wow factors throughout the room, to make a statement. Normally I think people would be “proud” to have been involved with celebrity and elite weddings, and while we have been worked on both, I think I am most proud of the fact that I am still able to do what I love. I have had a long run in this business, and have done most of it, by hard work and long hours. I did not graduate from college and barely made my way through high school but I have been able to make a successful career out of this and am honored to be considered as one of the cities talented design pros. We are a small company with a big personality.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that allowing yourself to learn and grow with the times keeps you relevant and useful to others. People know that with each event I will try to come up with something new, rarely do things twice, and somewhere there will always be an added embellishment that is signature EM. I like to think that being unique and creative has kept me in this industry for this long. High end product, unique mechanics and experience also play a big role on my longevity in the field. Clients choose their partners not only for their talent but for their personality. I am not for everyone, no should I expect to be, but the ones that do go with me, we build a unique bond.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1021 South State St
unit 208
Chicago, Il 60605 - Website: erinmcdonald.design
- Phone: 3129980515
- Email: inquire@erinmcdonald.design
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinmcdonaldco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinmcdonaldco/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinmcdonaldco
Image Credit:
Eric Floberg, Avery House, Avery House, Personal pic, Personal pic, Collin Pierson, Katie Childs, Garbo, Eric Floberg
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