Emma is the type of woman who wants it all. She is the founder of We Are Forma, a Melbourne-based architectural & interior design studio and also a YouTuber and UGC creator with a reputation for creating relatable lifestyle content, DIYs and home styling advice.
Thank you for joining us here at The Corporate Escapists. Please introduce yourself to our reader. They love to know about you, your passion, and how you came to find and follow your passion.
I’m Emma, and I wear a few hats! I’m the founder of We Are Forma an architectural and interior design studio located in Melbourne, Australia and also a YouTuber and UGC creator working for both emerging and established business provided fun, relatable content as well as DIYs and home styling advice. Basically anything to do with curating a space on any budget is my passion! Growing up, I was “that” kid, forcing everyone to be in a play, create a lemonade stand or have a drawing contest. My mind is rarely, if ever at ease (meditation anyone?) but I kind of like it that way. There is calm to the chaos in how I organise myself, but I never want to limit the flow of ideas.
Oprah once quoted ‘You are where you are in your life, based on what you believe. If you’re not looking at the shadows, what is subconsciously telling yourself you’re not good enough, not worthy enough, not smart enough…you’re not enough, you end up acting out of THAT belief system, and not of what you want to be the truest for yourself.””. How important is it to you to have the belief within ones self?
Shaking off limiting beliefs has been instrumental in allowing me to be where I am now. I’m a firm believer in the power of a positive mindset, using visualisation techniques like a yearly vision board and manifestation through thought, and have seen most of the big changes in my life following a dream, action steps and patience. If I didn’t do the work to address past issues, my struggles with anxiety, or the desire for external validation I don’t know where I would be.
Tell us what the word “Entrepreneur” means to you?
To me, an entrepreneur is someone who goes left when everyone else is going right. They are bold, take risks and reap the rewards. Much like the early inventors, entrepreneurs are problem solvers who see a gap and use their time and energy to solve it and that’s what I love about people following their passions and starting a business. Some people have a bigger urge to find their “why” or purpose, and as dr Seuss says “you have to be odd to be number 1”.
How has the life of being an entrepreneur, changed you?
I have learnt how resilient and disciplined I can be, as you’re in the drivers seat for your own day so the responsibility to be accountable and do what needs to be done falls solely on you which can be a lot of pressure sometimes, but its also extremely fulfilling. I would say the best part is meeting other likeminded humans and connecting with them either as peers or collaborating on projects.
Share you thoughts on the importance of business owners to be a leader in their own life and ensure they have a work/life balance?
Wellness will always sit at the top of my list. Without our health, we have nothing so my advice would be to take care of your mind, body and soul to ensure you are well fed, well rested, exercising regularly and taking care of your needs to limit stress, increase vitality and as a result bring your best self to every situation. Work / life balance can be difficult when its your own business, so taking breaks often for some water, a short walk or having realistic start and finish times to your work day so you allow yourself to switch off is key.
What is your favourite quote about “following your dreams”?
Dreams don’t work unless you do.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?
Do it, and don’t look back. Utilise your existing network, reach out to new people, read, listen to podcasts, find people who are doing what you want to be doing and learn from them. Its never too early or too late to start doing what you love.
