We recently connected with Emma Gardner and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Emma with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I get my work ethic from my family. Growing up, I watched my mom work tirelessly to provide for us. No matter how challenging things got, she showed up every day with resilience and dedication, which stuck with me. She taught me the importance of showing up, doing your best, and never making excuses.
I also draw a lot of inspiration from my grandfather. He started his own business at 18 and built it from the ground up. He didn’t let obstacles slow him down; he faced them head-on and found a way through. Seeing how hard he worked to support his family and community gave me the blueprint for how I wanted to approach my career. That mix of determination, grit, and heart has shaped everything I do at Meraki Creative Designs.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the founder of Meraki Creative Designs, a marketing agency based in San Diego that helps restaurants and hospitality businesses grow through strategic, creative digital marketing. We’re known for crafting customized solutions that blend storytelling, content, and data to drive real results.
The inspiration behind Meraki Creative Designs came from my grandfather, who started his business, Bussey Automotive, at just 18 years old. Watching his drive and resilience taught me what building something from the ground up means. I channeled that same entrepreneurial spirit into building a marketing company that helps other small and medium-sized businesses do the same.
At Meraki Creative Designs, we specialize in content creation, social media, email marketing, and mobile marketing, all tailored to elevate brands in the restaurant and hospitality space. We’re woman-owned, deeply personal in our approach, and committed to helping our clients gain visibility and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
What makes Meraki Creative Designs special is how much heart we put into the work. Marketing isn’t just about promotions, it’s about telling a resonant story. Every brand we work with has a unique voice, and it’s our job to help bring that to life through powerful visuals, intentional strategy, and thoughtful execution.
We’re continuing to expand, partner with new clients across the country, and build out resources like blog content and video education for business owners looking to better understand how digital marketing can support their growth. For us, it’s not just about making businesses stand out. It’s about helping them shine with strategy, soul, and a lot of Meraki.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, my journey’s three most impactful qualities have been resilience, adaptability, and communication.
Resilience came from watching my family work through challenges with grit and grace. Whether it was my mom doing everything she could to provide for us or my grandfather building his business from scratch, I learned early on that obstacles are part of the process, not the end of it. Starting and growing a business is never linear, so having the ability to bounce back, stay focused, and keep going has been essential.
Adaptability is huge, especially in the world of marketing. Algorithms change, trends evolve, and clients’ needs shift. Being able to pivot quickly, learn new tools, and adjust strategy without losing momentum has helped me stay relevant and continue delivering results for my businesses.
And online and offline communication has been a cornerstone of everything I do. Clear and authentic communication is key to building trust and driving impact, whether it’s understanding a client’s vision, telling a brand’s story, or building relationships with business owners.
My advice for anyone starting is to focus on progress, not perfection. Start before you feel ready and be willing to grow publicly. Ask questions. Stay curious. Surround yourself with people who remind you of your purpose when the process gets hard. The skills will come, but it’s your mindset, your values, and your commitment that will carry you through.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I’m always open to partnering and collaborating, especially with people who are just as passionate about creativity, strategy, and building something meaningful.
I’m particularly interested in collaborating with restaurant owners, hospitality brands, and beverage companies that want to elevate their marketing and connect more deeply with their audience through thoughtful content and digital strategy.
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
No there isn’t any credits
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
