Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Fisher.
Emily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If you had told me in college that I would one day be running my own interior design business in Central Pennsylvania, raising four kids, and helping lead communications for one of the most iconic high school football games in the country, I probably would have laughed.
I studied Interior Design in Pittsburg, Kansas, without fully understanding what the industry would eventually become. Right before graduation, my family moved back to Michigan, and I stayed behind to work in a lighting showroom. Life shifted quickly. I became a mom, moved back home, met my husband, and over the next several years we moved from Michigan to West Virginia and eventually to Carlisle, Pennsylvania as he served in pastoral ministry.
For nearly nine years, I was a stay at home mom. The housing crisis had slowed the design industry, and raising our children felt like the right place for me to focus. When we moved to Pennsylvania and the cost of living rose, my husband gently suggested I consider working again. I did not know where to start, but I kept coming back to interior design. So much had changed while I was away, especially with technology, so I took classes, relearned the tools, and slowly began building what would become EJ Designs.
What began as a way to contribute financially has grown into a true business. Entrepreneurship was never something I set out to do. It is stretching, humbling, and sometimes scary. There is hustle. There is uncertainty. But there is also growth, creativity, and deep community connection. I am now moving into my first office space!
Central Pennsylvania has been incredibly supportive of small businesses. I have had mentors who poured into me, and I care deeply about pouring that same encouragement into young designers and high school students exploring creative careers.
At the same time, my life is beautifully full outside of business. I am a mom navigating football seasons, honor societies, college decisions, military life, cheer competitions, and everything in between. I also work with the Big 33 Football Classic, helping with social media and Girls Flag Football. Football has always been part of our family story, and I love keeping that connection alive.
We now live in Boiling Springs, a charming, historic town where community still feels personal and deeply connected. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to work on historic properties here, helping preserve pieces of local history through thoughtful design.
If there is one thread through my story, it is this. Seasons change. Careers pause. Paths pivot. But the gifts and passions placed in you do not disappear. Sometimes they simply wait for the right time to grow.
Pennsylvania is home now. And I am grateful for the journey that brought us here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I am grateful for that.
Graduating into the housing crisis was discouraging, and shortly after entering the industry, I stepped away to raise our children. Those nine years at home were meaningful, but they also created a professional gap that felt intimidating when I decided to return. Re-entering the design world after almost a decade away was humbling. Technology had transformed the industry, and I had to relearn tools, software, and processes that did not exist when I first graduated.
I officially started my business just before Covid. I had begun networking, building relationships, and gaining momentum when everything suddenly shut down. In person meetings stopped overnight. Instead of pausing completely, I joined every virtual networking group and Zoom meeting I could find across Central Pennsylvania. I became involved in chambers and online communities so I could continue building connections even without face to face interaction. It was not ideal, but it taught me resilience and adaptability. When the state reopened, I was ready to move forward with relationships already in place.
Entrepreneurship itself has been a learning curve. In the beginning, I was charging far too little because I did not fully understand my value or the structure required to run a profitable business. A business coach helped me clarify my pricing, refine my services, and develop a true business plan instead of simply operating creatively. That season gave my work structure and confidence. I rebranded, became more intentional, and slowly saw the business grow. There have been slow seasons, including one just last year that felt especially quiet, followed by seasons where I am busier than ever. The rhythm is rarely predictable.
One piece of advice that has stayed with me is that it is okay to fail as long as you fail forward. Mistakes are not the problem. Staying stuck is. That mindset gave me permission to try, adjust, and keep moving instead of waiting until everything felt perfect.
Moving multiple times throughout our marriage also shaped me deeply. Each move required building new friendships and community from scratch. I genuinely enjoy meeting people, but saying goodbye never gets easier. That stretching has made me more open, more relational, and more aware of how important community truly is.
Balancing business and motherhood is an ongoing recalibration. I love building something meaningful professionally, but I am constantly checking my priorities. Watching my oldest leave home and enter the military made that reality very clear. They are only in your house for a season. I want to be ambitious, but never at the expense of being present.
None of it has been perfectly smooth. But every challenge forced growth. It strengthened my confidence, clarified my direction, and deepened my appreciation for both my family and my work.
I would not trade the hard parts. They are what shaped the story.
As you know, we’re big fans of EJ Designs Interior Design. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
EJ Designs is rooted in the belief that thoughtful design has the power to transform how people live and work.
I design both residential and commercial spaces, from family homes to professional offices, including law firms and other small businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania. While the projects may vary, the goal is always the same. To create environments that feel thoughtful, practical, and reflective of the people who use them every day.
I care deeply about how a space functions just as much as how it looks. Good design is not just about selecting finishes or furniture. It is about understanding how a family moves through their kitchen, how a business welcomes clients into its office, how lighting affects mood, and how layout supports daily routines. The details matter. When they are planned well, they prevent costly mistakes and create spaces that truly work.
One of the things I am most proud of is that EJ Designs feels approachable. There is a misconception that hiring a designer means spending a fortune or creating something overly formal. I believe great design can be achieved at many budget levels with the right guidance and intentional choices. My heart is to help clients feel confident in their decisions and excited about their spaces.
Over the years, my work has included everything from historic properties to new construction and commercial renovations. I am drawn to projects that require both creativity and problem solving. I love helping preserve character in older buildings just as much as I enjoy shaping new spaces from the ground up.
At its core, my brand is about people. It is about listening well, designing intentionally, and creating spaces that support real life. When a room functions beautifully and feels like home, it changes the way people live in it. That is what drives me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking has truly been the foundation of my business, especially in the early years when I did not have a large marketing budget. In many ways, networking was my marketing.
When we moved to Central Pennsylvania and I started EJ Designs, I knew word of mouth would be critical. This is a community that values relationships and trust. I joined local chambers, attended networking events, and introduced myself to builders, business owners, and other creatives. I showed up consistently, even when it felt uncomfortable. Over time, those connections turned into referrals, collaborations, and long term relationships.
Moving multiple times throughout my life actually prepared me for that. I became comfortable introducing myself, starting conversations, and building community from scratch. While saying goodbye is always hard, starting fresh taught me resilience and openness.
When Covid shifted everything online, I did not want to lose the momentum I had built. I joined virtual networking groups and Zoom meetings across the region to stay visible and connected. It reinforced the idea that relationships matter more than location.
As for mentorship, I believe you have to be intentional. When I decided to hire a business coach, I did not just choose anyone. I researched and hired someone who specifically worked within the interior design industry. Having guidance from someone who understood the unique structure, pricing, and challenges of design made all the difference. It brought clarity and confidence to my business in a season when I felt creatively scattered.
My advice to anyone looking for a mentor or trying to grow their network would be this. Be intentional about who you learn from. Invest in people who understand your field. Focus on relationships over transactions. Ask thoughtful questions. Follow up. Be consistent.
In a close knit community like ours, integrity and word of mouth travel quickly. When you lead with authenticity and serve people well, growth follows.
Pricing:
- Design Consultations start at $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Ejdesigns.com
- Instagram: I’m on Instagram as @ejdesignsllc. Install the app to follow my photos and videos. https://www.instagram.com/ejdesignsllc?igsh=MXc2M3UzbHpvZGE1eA==&utm_source=ig_contact_invite
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqVzMx58y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-fisher-84a564197?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
