Meet Emily Gibbs: Student Ministry & Photographer

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

Hi Emily, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The one lesson that my business, my career, and my calling has continued to teach me is how to be an honest, genuine, and reputable leader. For years, I watched other people lead and stood on the sidelines. Part of me was torn because I wanted that for myself but always walked away feeling empty. After much growth, mentorship, and teaching, I began to internalize (even for myself) that each of us have a purpose and a skill and can be creative in some way. I have always been intrigued by design and creativity so I began to brainstorm how I would fit it all into one. That is where Eloquent Design Co. was born. I had/have this dream in my heart and knew that it had to be brought out. Eloquent Design Co. is mainly a space for my photography business but will hopefully one day become a storefront (selling an array of items) where every single person can shop and feel at home when they walk in. The dream is MUCH bigger than myself. One of my favorite books, “Chase the Lion” by Mark Batterson mentions: “If your dream doesn’t scare you, then it isn’t big enough.” What are you waiting for? Define your dream, find the leader within yourself, mentor under someone smarter than you and go after it with everything you have in you. Be a leader and lead yourself. Don’t wait for someone to do it for you…it will NEVER get done!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work in full time ministry but my side business (Eloquent Design Co.) is Photography and Design. I have started small with just photography but the dream one day would be to own my own storefront (boutique) and turn it into a place that sells many different items and has something for everyone. I am also big into Interior Design and love to bring spaces to life. I am most proud of how I get to be a part of so many people’s lives. Being able to offer many different elements to this company will allow me to be a part of many ages and demographics…thats the dream anyway. I am excited about the future. There are days that I get down and lose hope in what could be but then I remember that the dream in my heart isn’t anyone else’s. The dream is mine and I have to do something about it. I overcome these challenges by researching, learning, and growing to become better and better. I got to where I am today professionally by watching others and learning from them. A lesson I have learned along the way is that you can’t be a good leader if you can’t first learn to follow. I want the world to know that I am human, I’m flawed, and I may not be well known. However, I have a creative and distinct purpose, Eloquent Design Co. will reach the people it needs to reach, and I get to be a small part of that story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my favorite spots are:

– Ponce City Market in Atlanta (all the vibes!!) and great photo spots
– The beach of course (Destin, Hilton Head, or St. Simons) riding bikes to dinner, eating seafood, shopping
– Enjoying the outdoors (hiking, working out, grab a coffee, lets take the dog to the park, outdoor movie)
– HOME (sometimes you just need a day home to rest and refresh) Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off, shoutout to JESUS for giving me the creativity, skills, and the leadership within me to be able to share with others. and give back to Him.

I would also like to thank my local church The Grove, for giving me the space to find myself and to cultivate those skills.
Anywhere from leading students and people, worship, production, to even taking pictures in Sunday services has played a role in my development as a leader, believer, and creative.

I would also like to thank my family for the unconditional love and support for anything and everything I have brought to the table and said I wanted to do. They cheer me on every step of the way!

Some books that have shaped me most are the following: the Bible, Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson, The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, and Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel. There are MANY more…go check these out!

Website: https://eloquentdesignco.mypixieset.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eloquentdesignco/

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