Let me introduce myself!
Hi! My name is Emmi Wilson, and as you may have already guessed, I am the owner of laurel e. boutique. I started laurel e. when I was fresh out of college and only 24 years old. (I am currently 27) When you start a business at such a young age, it forces you to grow up really fast and take on responsibilities you didn't even know existed! I often reflect on the person I was when I first started this journey and wow have things have changed. Although many things have changed and will change throughout my life, there is one thing that will never change, and that is my love for fashion and my love for people. Owning a boutique has been beyond my wildest dream and I am so thankful for all of the people who continue to support me so that I am able to keep my dream job. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
As for my personal life, I am the fiancé of my college sweetheart, Ben Clarvis. Ben is from the U.K. and our paths crossed in the small town of Wichita Falls, TX. He came across the pond to play soccer on a scholarship and was only supposed to be in the U.S. for 4 years, but now it looks like he is staying a little longer than planned! Ben and I are getting married on August 1, 2020, and are settling down in Sherman, TX, which is my hometown and where laurel e. is located. While I will have a very short commute, Ben will be commuting to and around the Dallas area because he is a soccer coach and has teams down there! Ben has always been so supportive of my dream and has always helped me execute my goals. Together Ben and I share the most adorable, yet the most spoiled rotten pug in the world named Baylie. We mostly refer to her as B! I love our little family and am so thankful for them.
Next we have my immediate family. I have my mom called Lisa, my dad called Jeff, and my younger brother who is called Chase. I honestly could go on and on about how amazing my family is. There are not enough good things to say about them and I am truly blessed. Although we drive each other crazy half the time, I wouldn't change us or anything about them. My dad always has referred to us as the "four chiefs" because we all have different opinions and are not afraid to express them. Nevertheless, each one of them has been so supportive of my business since the beginning. When I came to them with my dream of owning my own store, they said "Okay, let's make it happen. What can we do?" Each one of them has helped me in different ways. They have stood by me through my most difficult of days; and for that, I am forever grateful. Words cannot describe how much I love them. I am also fortunate enough to have my Aunt Elaine who has always been so close to us. She has been there for all of the moments my brother and I had as kids and she continues to always be there for us now. From the day I told her I wanted to open a boutique, she was so excited, and I know has prayed over laurel e. every day since. I couldn't operate laurel e. without her because any time I need help at the store, whether it be for market, vacation, or just a day off, she always offers to help.
Whenever I am not working, I enjoy traveling, reading psychological thrillers, binge-watching a series, listening to a podcast, or having a glass of wine with my girlfriends.
Another thing you should know about me is that I am a Christian. I do not always make the right choices, but I can tell you that all of my choices somehow go right back to God. He makes all things work together for the good of his people. I think that the best thing about getting older is getting to reflect on all of the things you thought you wanted for your life that didn't work out, and then being able to see why it wasn't meant for you. Through doing so, I now find it so much easier to trust him with the future.
To be quite honest, I have felt a calling to blogging for so long that I will not even say because I am too embarrassed to admit. I always had the mindset of "Why me?" and now I say "Why not me?". I have always loved to write (even though I am not always grammatically correct) and I am excited to have a creative outlet that allows me to share my heart with whoever is willing and open to accepting it.
Until next time,
xx Emmi