Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Gardner
Emma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with a passion for creativity and connection. While earning my BA in Communication from San Francisco State University, I took a leap of faith in 2019 and started my business, Meraki Creative Designs.
The word ‘Meraki’ perfectly captures my approach to work—it means pouring creativity, love, and soul into everything I do. My mission was simple: to help restaurants, food and beverage brands, and small businesses shine online through authentic storytelling and strategic marketing.
The journey wasn’t always easy. Balancing freelance work and growing my business came with challenges, but each step taught me invaluable lessons. Over time, I built a strong client base and began helping businesses not only expand their social media presence but also create meaningful connections with their audiences.
Today, I’m proud to wake up every day doing what I love—helping businesses share their unique stories, grow their reach, and thrive. This journey has been a testament to the power of believing in yourself, following your passion, and embracing the lessons along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but the challenges have been some of my greatest teachers. When I started Meraki Creative Designs in 2019, I was juggling freelance work, building my business from the ground up, and going to school full-time. Time management was a huge hurdle—balancing multiple clients, meeting deadlines, and finding time to grow my own brand often felt overwhelming.
Another challenge was figuring out how to stand out in the competitive marketing industry. With so many talented professionals out there, I knew I had to carve out a niche that truly reflected my values and strengths. That’s when I decided to focus on restaurants, food and beverage brands, and small businesses. It allowed me to combine my creativity with my passion for helping businesses tell their unique stories.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced imposter syndrome, wondering if I was doing enough or if I was on the right path. But those moments pushed me to keep learning, improving, and trusting the process.
Despite the challenges, every struggle has shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today. They’ve taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of staying true to my vision. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing—it’s all been part of the journey to building something I’m incredibly proud of.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Meraki Creative Designs, I specialize in helping restaurants, food and beverage brands, and the hospitality industry thrive through strategic social media marketing, photography, content creation, and custom campaigns. My work is all about telling authentic stories and creating meaningful connections between brands and their audiences.
What sets me apart is the personalized approach I bring to every project. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies. Instead, I take the time to truly understand each client’s unique vision, values, and goals. From capturing stunning visuals to crafting engaging captions and designing tailored campaigns, every detail is designed to reflect the heart of the brand.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the lasting relationships I’ve built with my clients. Seeing restaurants fill tables and food and beverage brands gain loyal customers fuels my passion for what I do.
What truly sets Meraki Creative Designs apart is the meaning behind its name—‘Meraki’ is a Greek word that means to do something with soul, creativity, and love. That’s exactly what I aim to bring to every project. It’s not just about marketing; it’s about creating a connection, building trust, and helping businesses grow in a way that feels authentic and impactful.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the most important quality contributing to my success is authenticity. In the world of marketing, it’s easy to get caught up in trends or adopt a cookie-cutter approach, but I’ve always prioritized staying true to my clients’ stories and my own values.
Authenticity allows me to connect with clients on a deeper level, understand their unique needs, and create campaigns that genuinely reflect their brand. It’s also what builds trust with their audiences—because people can tell when a message is heartfelt versus when it’s just noise.
Another characteristic I value is adaptability. The digital landscape is constantly changing, and being able to pivot, learn, and grow with those changes has been crucial. Whether it’s experimenting with new social media formats or embracing fresh creative ideas, I’ve always been open to evolving while staying grounded in my mission to help brands shine authentically.
These qualities, paired with my passion for creativity and connection, have shaped the way I approach my work and have been integral to building a business I’m proud of.
Pricing:
- Custom Package 1: Starts at $600
- Custom Package 2: Starts at $1,000
- Custom Package 3: Starts at $1,300
- Custom Package 4: Starts at $1,600
Contact Info:
- Website: https://merakicreativedesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma.mae.gardner/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mae-gardner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emma.mae.gardner
Image Credits
For my feature photo, the photographer was Jesslan Urquhart. Her photography company is: Jesslan Lee Photography
https://www.jesslanleephotography.com/
