“I’ve grown this company quickly and intentionally, with no outside funding, by doing great work with an increasingly great team.”

Great design is just the icing on the planning cake. We promote the ideas, programs & people that make communities better. We also help build communities online. We do this through a thorough process that combines research, design, development and training.

BusinessInterviews.com: What inspired you to launch your business?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: I had worked for others in a variety of settings – corporate, small business, agency – and I knew I could do things better, more efficiently and make an impact. Also, I just couldn’t bring myself to spend one more day slinging products that people didn’t need; I needed to do work every day that had an impact on people’s lives. I mean, we spend so many hours working, why not try to do something good with all of those hours?

BusinessInterviews.com: Do you have any recent success stories that you’d like to share with our readers?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: I’m a business owner first, and I almost always ignore any “feminine” labeling. I’ve grown this company quickly and intentionally, with no outside funding, by doing great work with an increasingly great team. Knowing that I’m creating a workplace that helps my staff learn and grow as human beings and also makes an impact on people’s lives is my biggest success.

BusinessInterviews.com: What has been your biggest challenge as a business owner and how have you met that challenge?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: I’m pretty sure gender has nothing to do with this one: Choosing my team carefully and learning now to manage by inspiring and activating has been the biggest learning curve for me. I started as a graphic designer and in that setting it’s perfectly acceptable to sit alone in an office and get your work done. The real challenge starts when you’re responsible for other people: How do they relate to my vision? Is it my vision or our vision? What happens when there’s an issue? My biggest fear is becoming the boss everyone thought was horrible, so I always try to set a high standard for myself and do everything with great care.

BusinessInterviews.com: What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you/your Company?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: We have huge plans for 2014 that we’re starting in on now, and I’m really excited about all of them. We’re moving further into education and training, and we have some seminars and a conference planned that are going to teach people how branding, web development and design can be used to create real change in a hands-on way.

BusinessInterviews.com: Have you had any mentors or role models that have influenced you? Describe the impact.

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: Is it lame to say my mom? Even though she’s not an entrepreneur, she possesses two traits that are crucial to running a successful company – she’s the most determined and resourceful person I know. Valerie Denney is someone else I really admire. She’s a PR professional here in Chicago who also works with organizations that inspire positive change. I’ve met a lot of her previous staff members and they all speak so highly of her. I’m determined to figure out her recipe for success.

BusinessInterviews.com: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs and business owners? What do you wish someone told you?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: You can do it. It’s hard work, but it’s really worth it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Whoever says that is just afraid of competition. You can still get married and have a baby, if that’s something you want. Go after what you want. It’s your life.

Also, it’s OK to want to give up sometimes. That’s a big part of it. If you’re like me, you’ll feel like you’re in way over your head every now and then. Just stop and think back to why you started in the first place, where you’re headed and how big of an impact you can make on your own life, your family’s and the lives of others. Remind yourself: You’re the best person for this job and you’re going to kick ass.

BusinessInterviews.com: Do you have any tips for other women entrepreneurs on balancing work and family life? Is is really possible to have it all?

Emily Lonigro-Boylan: Yes, it is. You just have to be happy with yourself and your circumstances, and if you’re not, do what you can to change them. I wish I could be at home more often and I also wish I could be at work more. You have to enjoy the time you have in each role – as a boss and a wife and mother – and not begrudge one for distracting you from the other.