Emerson is a creator and builder who is happiest working with her hands — creating spaces and curating experiences that bring people together. Her two greatest teachers have been nature and community, and her career reflects both. A University of Georgia graduate in Textiles, Fashion and Interiors, with further studies in Historic Preservation and Restoration, she has spent her career translating that foundation into physical spaces — from designing and installing showrooms, retail spaces and trade shows to founding the Indie-pendent, a high-craft retail shop and creative workshop space, to opening stores for slow fashion and high end boutiques throughout the southeast, to launching The Learning Kitchen, an experiential teaching kitchen at the intersection of art, food and nature.

In 2024, Emerson and her wife traded big-city life for a slower pace, landing in southern Vermont and beginning a new chapter. Since arriving in New England, Emerson has continued her longstanding practice of partnering with small business owners as a freelance consultant — stepping in as a temporary right hand in branding, marketing, events, strategy and business development to help move the needle on the work that too often gets pushed aside when you’re busy running the day-to-day. She has worked across food and beverage, retail, commercial development and hospitality.