Meet Emily Sleights52

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emily Sleights52. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emily below.

Emily, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I have a very odd job. My job is something that not many people can say they do or can understand. It’s often looked at as “weird” or “pointless” but I know that’s not true. Weird? No. Different? Yes. I know that what I do for work is not pointless because I’ve had a positive impact on others. People have told me that what I create and sell for my job has not only helped them and motivate them, but that it’s assisted them in getting sober and others say it even helped save their life. Now you may be wondering, “What could she possibly be making and selling that can have such an impact on others? It must be something very profound, expensive and well known.” Nope! My name is EmilySleights52 and I have been designing and producing decks of playing cards ever since 2019. They’re just like decks of cards you could play poker with or do magic tricks with but the designs are completely custom! All of my designs have an underlying theme of strength hope, perseverance and positivity. For example, I did a deck based on lighthouses and it’s all about “being the light for others in dark times.” I did two decks based on mountains and hiking: One is very lightly colored and the other is dark. It’s about the journey of life and the light colored deck represents the “ups” and “positives” throughout life while the dark colored deck shows us the “sad” and “down” times. Both aspects are needed in life and make us who we are. We need the good in life to make us work hard to get through the bad times and we need the dark times to have us appreciate what’s good. Mental health has greatly affected me. As somebody who struggles with anxiety and bipolar disorder, I greatly experience the ups and downs of life. It’s affected my relationships with other people, my employment and all jobs I’ve ever had and it’s most importantly affected how I view myself. Back in 2016 I needed a hobby: I was lost. I began dabbling in card magic and sleight of hand and it quickly evolved into collecting decks of playing cards. I found it beautiful how each deck has completely different artwork: The faces, backs, aces, courts, jokers and tuck box…..Yet they’re all simply a deck of cards. They’re unique yet they serve the same purpose. In 2018 I made an instagram dedicated solely to playing cards where I posted photos of the newest decks I collected and was able to openly share my hobby with others. I saw that people were producing their own decks and I was intrigued! I didn’t know a normal person could have their own deck pe manufactured: I thought that was only for big companies like Bicycle Playing Cards. I quickly realized that producing cards was my purpose in life, as silly as that sounds. I wanted what I create to positively affect others and make them feel inspired and less alone.
The magic and card community is also predominately made up of men and I know there’s unfortunately a stigma around men’s mental health. It’s often said that men shouldn’t show their feelings, be emotional or even cry. “Man up,” is a phrase constantly thrown around and I hate it. I wanted a way to show men (and women) that it’s okay to talk about your feelings and to accept when something is wrong and help is needed. After joining the community and talking with so many people I realized that magicians and people who collect playing cards may often feel like outcasts. They’re typically introverted people who may struggle fitting in. Obviously not all of them but I’ve definitely noticed a pattern. It’s sad to see so many people feel left out and it causes them to be depressed. My goal in life is to produce playing cards that can positively affect men and women. My purpose in life is to others feel less alone and heard. I know that I’m meant to help others because I personally know the struggle and I don’t want anybody else to have to feel that way. By having this job I have not only had a positive impact on others, but I’ve helped myself, too.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m currently focused on producing more decks of cards under a faster pace. I used to focus on one project by itself for about 6 months and that’s all I would accomplish. Now, I’m currently working on about 10 individual decks of cards and I absolutely love it! I actually work on projects at least every waking hour and sometimes I stay up literally all night getting things done.

I actually just did a deck of cards that is available called 988 Lifeline! The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a hotline that anybody can call within the United States if they are under emotional stress or struggling with thoughts of suicide. They’ve helped thousands and thousands of people over the years! Proceeds are donated directly to the organization and I’m so happy I was able to partner with the lifeline on that project. I’m constantly coming out with new decks of cards do the best way to keep updated is by following my Instagram @emilysleights52 and my website is www.emilysleights52.com

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Communication, empathy and perseverance are three of the most important qualities that help what make my business successful. Communication and honesty is needed to effectively get my ideas across to followers, customers and backers. If there are ever any delays in production I have to be very transparent about what it going on. It’s a way to gain others’ trust. Empathy is extremely important when people are telling me their own struggles and stories and why my cards mean so much to them. I have to try to put myself into their shoes and really understand what they are going through. Perseverance is the most important aspect for me. Sometimes I work on a single aspect of a design for over a year! One deck of cards I did, the courts alone (jacks, queens and kings) took me over 14 months. I could easily give up or produce a produce of low quality that I’m not happy with but I keep on going and give my best and all. Perseverance in any aspect of life I feel is definitely the most important thing.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking for graphic designers to work with. I think it’s fascinating how each designer has a different style and I think that’s really important and keeps things interesting. Some of my decks of cards are complex in design where others are more minimalistic. If anybody has a background in graphic design and would like to make a difference in somebody’s life you can contact me on Instagram @emilysleights52 or email me: [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.emilysleights52.com
• Instagram: Emilysleights52
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/2VbwLugaKHt4dDJz/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

@tobefrankwithcards
@cardsrenders
@suicideviking