Meet Amber Schreiner: Digital Strategist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Schreiner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, why did you pursue a creative career?
I really fought against having a creative career. Growing up in pretty extreme poverty, I knew I wanted to rise out of those circumstances. The most successful people I knew were lawyers so I started college as political science/pre-law with every intention of becoming an attorney. It wasn’t until my last semester that I took a step back and questioned my career trajectory. Sitting in a grad-level game theory class, I could barely wrap my head around the assignments. I was terrified that I’d spend 3 years in law school with $100,000+ more in student loans to ultimately find out I wasn’t any good at law. I reevaluated my resume and realized all my internships and volunteering experience was centered around marketing and PR. I hadn’t even noticed that before! I ended up applying to Turner Broadcasting over ten times and started my career at Cartoon Network Digital. The culture there was incredibly affirming that you could be both creative and successful — colleagues would play video games during their lunch breaks and then go back to their offices to design games of their own.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am most proud of my agency’s mission. We strive to elevate the work of brands that are making the world better. Our clients span across different industries — from advocacy work and progressive politics to small businesses and nonprofits. We put an emphasis on working with female founders and BIPOC led organizations. Whether it’s web development, product launches, social media strategy, or an array of digital services, I’m happiest when I get to see the look on a client’s face when we bring their vision or campaign to life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Stay: Hotel Clermont Eat: Bocca Luppo, Gu’s, Mali Thai, Taqueria Del Sol, Del Bar Drink: The Local, Marcel, Two Urban Licks, anywhere on the beltline Music: Northside Tavern, Blind Willies, the Earl Must See: National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the High Museum

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I went to a middle school where 90% of the students qualified for free lunch and only 30% of students tested at their grade level in math. Teachers routinely put me in gifted programs because they assumed I should be there, not because my grades indicated I should be. When I decided to start Juniperus, all of my friends and family were supportive. No one questioned that I could do it or that I would be successful. I remember the day I wrote my first large proposal for a potential client. I sent it to a mentor to review it and she told me to double the amount I asked for. I was shocked but I listened to her and I got the bid. To me, success is a complicated mixture of hard work and luck and knowing when to run with the luck you’ve got.

Website: www.juniperus.co

Instagram: instagram.com/juniperusco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberschreiner/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/juniperusco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juniperusco

Image Credits
Sean Keating, Erik Voss