Today we’d like to introduce you to Ema Martin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey with Banners By Em simply came on a whim. My brother was graduating boot camp for the navy this past August, and I wanted to give my parents something to bring with them. As I was scrolling through social media that same day, I seen these banners that were made for a birthday party. I thought to myself “I feel like I could do that”; as I have always had an artistic side to myself my whole life. I’ve always loved to draw, color, paint, doodle; you name it. And then I immediately got to doing my research. I figured out what I would need to pull this together in less than 24 hours before my parents left for my brothers graduation. I spent pretty much the last of my paycheck to get everything I needed. I finished the banner, brought it to my parents house and showed them. They immediately told me I needed to make this into some sort of side hustle or business. And that’s exactly what I did. I started marketing on social media, and just shy of a few months of getting into the business , I started going to small business markets. I’ve have now done 3 markets, and have made a little over 100 banners.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been times where I have questioned if doing this small business was a good idea. I would go a week or two without a single order and question if people thought I wasn’t good enough or talented enough. But when I would get to those patches of no orders, I would find a way to be able to create special touches to people’s events. Whether it would be to run a sale or attend a market. I would always just push myself more into the community with posting or face-to-face conversations. I’ve learned as a business owner that you will have slow times, and that to use those times to your advantage to gather ideas to make your business even better than before.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Outside of Banners By Em, I am employed in the medical field as a Surgical Technologist. I just recently graduated college with my Associates in Science of Surgical Technology, and I start working this month. I will be working in the Main OR, in cases of all types of specialties; general, ortho, obgyn, ect. I started my buisness in the thick of my program, attending 50-60 clinical hours a week, while working the weekend as a night shift CNA. I was always told that I have too much on my plate, but sometimes I think I like to have it that way. I am a very hardworking person, and I always strive to be a better version of myself.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the variety of things you can do in Jacksonville. I especially love the small business markets and fairs that are held. There is a market somewhere in Jacksonville or surrounding towns every weekend. It’s great exposure for small businesses and it’s a great way for more people to be able to shop small!
Pricing:
- Base price for all sizes (3×3,3×4, & 3×5) $40
- Border $10
- Images (includes 2) $5 each
Contact Info:
