In a series I am creatively calling, “Meet Team Tellwell”, I sit down with Tellwell’s brightest minds to chat about who they are, what makes them tick, and what gets them excited about coming to work every day.
In this article, I got to sit down with one of our graphic designers, Emma! A farm girl turned designer hailing from Davenport, North Dakota, and is the mind behind much of our branding and design work.
You’ve been here for over a year, Emma… tell me about yourself!
My dad likes to say I’ve been an Aggie, a Jackrabbit, a Bison, and a Gopher. It’s funny how school spirit can help describe where you’ve been. I was born in Bryan, TX while my mom and dad attended ATM in College Station. We made the move to Brookings, SD around age 3 when my dad got a job at South Dakota State University. In the third grade, we moved to Davenport, ND where I lived until heading to North Dakota State University in 2016, where my dad was teaching. In 2017 I decided to transfer to the U, or University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. When covid shut classes down, I moved back to Davenport and now Michael and I own a house in North Fargo.
I’ve always enjoyed hands-on work such as flipping furniture and house projects. Now that I have a house of my own, I’ve been able to do a lot more of that and it makes me so happy! I read Architectural Digest and have recently been learning lots about the history of houses and what different styles mean. I also enjoy interior design, so it all fits together.
If you had to describe yourself to a stranger in just a few words, what would you tell them?
Particular, understanding, and a family-(wo)man.
What are your goals here at Tellwell?
My goal with everything that I do is to do it well. Everything I touch at Tellwell is going to be great, because I expect nothing less of myself and my team! I also trust those around me with their abilities, so it’s been fun to see people really take ownership and be proud in the things they’ve made.
Outside of work, what are some things that make you happy?
Game nights with friends, watching really great movies, helping my mom design wedding flowers, watching my dad and brother cook, listening to my sisters argue the opposite sides of things, taking funny pictures of my cats Stelly and Pete, and going to Minneapolis for all of the bands that don’t quite yet come to Fargo.
We’re big on community here at Tellwell. What are some things you do to get involved?
I help out with the Kindred FFA by running events and judging contests. They were my home chapter, so I love to help when I can! Otherwise, I haven’t been doing much.. I should probably start volunteering more.
If you had to pick one place in Fargo to call your favorite, what would you choose?
I really love a good concert at Fargo Brewing. I think I went to four concerts there just last year.
We love food. What’s the most memorable food experience you’ve ever had?
Michael and I went to the Angry Crab Shack in Phoenix. It’s basically a chain restaurant, but with the most amazing cajun boil they dump out on the table for you. Eating crab with plastic gloves in a desert community is top-tier.
What’s something you’re weirdly passionate about?
I was a non-farming farm kid and am very thankful to have the background knowledge I do on the industry of agriculture. Both sets of my grandparents ranch, and seeing how much love they have for their animals and their land makes me a huge advocate, especially when it comes to combatting the sea of misinformation that exists around it. I also love GMOs. Shoutout Norman Borlaug (Father of the Green Revolution) who fed millions with his research around high-yielding wheat varieties. He went to the U of M, so that’s pretty cool.
I know you’re a big music fan – name me your top three albums.
Being Funny in a Foreign Language, The 1975
Mt. Joy, Mt. Joy
The Essential Billy Joel, Billy Joel
Do you have a favorite or memorable vacation or trip you’ve taken?
Probably Costa Rica, but that was so long ago I don’t feel like I was a real person yet. As an adult, I really love LA. I also love NYC. I think it depends on the time of day. Biking along the ocean from Venice Beach to Manhattan Beach was pretty cool, but watching the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Display on the East River in the real Manhattan was pretty cool too.
