gemma Ernst of Down Town on Life, Lessons & Legacy

gemma Ernst shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi gemma, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’ve built my mornings into a ritual I look forward to over the past few years; I believe those first 90 minutes aren’t just routine, thy set the tone for everything good that follows.

My mornings look the same each day; my alarm goes off at 5:15am. I get changed into active gear, grab my headphones, and head out for a 45-minute sunrise walk. Podcast in tow (my current obsession is Grace Beverly’s ‘Working Hard, or Hardly Working’, it’s so good!) this time is all about letting ideas spark and I often write down notes into my phone as I go. If there’s a café in my path, I’ll stop for a coffee. If not, I get a pot on as soon as I’m back. I then check my emails while I’m eating breakfast, write out my to do list for the day and log on for the day.

This time to myself in the morning while the sun rises is my favourite; I always feel so inspired by the end of my walk and I’ve found that it really sets me up for the rest of the day. Plus, it’s always good to get some steps in before sitting at a desk all day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Gemma — a web designer, developer, and business owner with 10 years of experience. What began as a love for design has grown into a decade-long career built on grit, tenacity, and the power of word-of-mouth. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with international e-commerce brands and even working with some of my dream clients.

My career has also allowed me to live and work around the world — from moving across Australia, to spending most of my twenties in Bali, and a short (but very sweet) chapter in Montreal connecting with design agencies. Being able to combine travel, work, and meaningful connections with people across the globe is something I never take for granted, and I count my lucky stars every day that hard work has made this possible.

I’m majority self-taught and a big believer that if you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen. While most of my career has been focused on client projects, I’ve recently launched an online store offering educational PDFs to help other business owners navigate the often overwhelming world of e-commerce. This new branch of my business excites me so much as it means I get to share what I’ve learned and hopefully help others avoid the mistakes I made starting out. (Ps, you can check it out at www.yorecollective.com)

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I was 21, fresh out of uni, working my first project management job. Back then, I was with a web design agency working as a project manager for the developers and graphic designers. One of my first big projects that I ran from start to finish was a podiatry clinic, and I’d built a really great relationship with the client along the way.

When we handed over her new site and finished our final presentation, the client pulled me aside and surprised me with a handwritten card. Inside was $50, and a note telling me that I was far better than the agency I was working for, and that if I ever started my own business, she’d be my first client and would tell all her friends to follow.

At just 21 years old, that meant everything. It gave me the biggest confidence boost, and it’s something that’s stuck with me ever since.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Honestly, all the time! I’m definitely indecisive…..until I’m not. Once I finally land on something, I go all in and there’s no stopping me. It just sometimes takes a little while to get there. I’ve realised I work best when I have the freedom to tinker and change my mind along the way, with the reassurance that I’ve got support around me if I need it.

Design is supposed to be fluid and ever-evolving; that’s one of the things I love most about my work. Being tied to a single look or feel feels restrictive. Staying open to last-minute shifts and pivoting when it feels right is often what makes the difference between good design, and design that truly hits.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I draw inspiration from everywhere — other designers’ work, beautifully built websites, even articles about fellow business owners and their journeys. Each of these touch points feeds into my own ideas and creative process. I think it’s that openness — the willingness to learn from anything and anyone — that’s helped me succeed at the level I have.

I’m also a deeply collaborative person and thrive on having someone to bounce ideas off. I tend to figure things out by talking them through, and some of my best light bulb moments have come while sitting on a Zoom call with other developers or designers, exploring ideas together.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Nothing, really! I firmly believe every action is part of our larger journey, regardless as to whether or not it ‘failed’ or feels as though it wont pay off. I try not to get caught up in whether something is ‘beneficial for my future’ because, as woo-woo as it might sound, I genuinely believe life unfolds exactly the way it’s meant to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yorecollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorecollective/?hl=en