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

Hi Emma, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?

The relationships I’ve built within the industry have played a pivotal role in the early stages of getting commoner up and running. Having those relationships, knowing when to ask for help, hiring the pros, and having the awareness to not take on too much while tackling everything alone have been key. The decision to be ok with not knowing everything right away and to bring in help is the reason everything is going well today. Taking on your own business is huge and scary but getting the right people in place to help fill in the gaps, and spending the money to do that has made all the difference.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I came into commoner wanting to create an accessible & comfortable design experience for my clients. I feel like there’s a stigma around hiring a designer, that it’s only meant for the elite. commoner was created to bridge that gap, reach more people, meet them where they are, and help them create spaces they love.

The hardest part of starting this thing was making the leap into the unknown. There was no guarantee it would work. A little self-doubt mixed with fear of the future created a challenge I wanted to take on head first. Some of that still lingers in the background of course but it just keeps me moving forward. The easy part is getting to connect with so many new people. I am grateful every day for the clients, mentors + friends I’ve met since getting commoner off the ground.

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?

So many places! I am a lover of food and good beer so when friends visit it’s all about where our next meal, snack & beer will be from. Kick off the week with brunch or lunch at General Muir then head to the High to spend the afternoon with all the art. Take our pick of dinner spots for the week – muchacho, talat market, wrecking bar, elsewhere (my favorite is the grilled cheese with their delicious jam + a red velvet stout). Late night at Buteco or The Porter for the salt & vinegar popcorn. A walk around the corner to the westside beltline trail with a stop at Monday Night Garage is a must.

Head out to whitewater creek to take the pups for a swim on a sunny afternoon. A north georgia hike like yonah mountain with a stop at variant brewing on our way back into town.

Can’t miss the Sunday evergreen butcher & baker cheeseburger day and pick up some steaks for grilling that evening. Wine or cocktails made from a trip to My Friends Bottle Shop to round out the week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Not to be super corny, but honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to make this business happen without the support and encouragement from my husband, Matthew. Without him, my family, my wonderful therapist, and some awesome people surrounding me I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://www.commonerdesign.co/

Instagram: @commonerdesignco

Image Credits
Photographs: Haley James Photography Drawings: commoner design co.

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