Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily McMannis.
Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Of course! I came to Nashville 11 years ago, with dreams of being the next Faith Hill, and studying at Belmont 
I soon realized I wasn’t willing to get into the music politics – and there started my 10-year journey of finding what I want to be when I grow up. I worked on the road selling merchandise for the band The Swon Brothers, and loved every bit of that! (that’s how I met my husband – he was their guitar player – scandalous love hahaha!) A couple years later I took over tour manager duties, and that was not my expertise. I’ve tour managed off and on since then, but there are people in town that are way more qualified (& CHILL) to do this job than I am -I’ll leave that to them 
Since then I have worked w/ Producer/Carnival Music owner, Frank Liddell. What started as a ‘well I have no job so I’ll sign on”, has really formed into a wonderful working relationship w/ him and his awesome family! Still, I had dreams in my soul that kept pulling me in a different direction. I spent a couple years pulling my hair out, crying, taking many long walks to force my brain to figure out what I wanted – and then the pandemic hit.
I’ve always loved fashion, & interior decorating. 2020 gave me the space & breathing room to dip my toes in, on my own. I slowly, then quickly, started learning how to photograph myself, my wardrobe, the best way possible, while still learning what the hell I was doing. What were my best angles, how to stand & not stand, the trickiness of a real camera vs an iPhone, and more. Since then, I’ve fallen in love w/ the creative me, again. Thank freaking goodness. I finally feel like I know what I want to be when I grow up, and that’s me. The creative, fashion-loving, animal saving, multiple home project at once juggling, free spirit, non-committal self I hope to always encourage my family, friends, and even *hopefully* people I don’t know yet. Spreading positivity, and the notion that you CAN and you WILL if you TRY. The only action between wishing, and accomplishing, is doing. I now have started to enter the set design, and styling world, alongside my killer friend, photographer, Kirsten Balani. We are hoping to create and currently working, to fully launch a partnership that delivers every and any need of artists, professionals, and anyone needing a little creative direction That’s now been a huge focus (while still working my full-time job!), and doing all I can to help others, help animals, and make the world a better, happier, more loving, more accepting, funnier, place to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Noooooooo way!!!! I spent over 5 years trying to figure out who I wanted to be when I grew up – and it was so emotionally draining. During this time, my parents had gotten divorced, and my dad continued his work in Afghanistan (he had worked the last 15 years there, helping build a better place for the Afghani people.)
My family is everything to me, so these both factored into my loss of identity, and I learned that only time, and willingness to keep pushing forward is what will keep us afloat.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day I work as a quasi-manager, and assistant in the music biz. By night, weekends, spare time, etc. I keep jumping further & further into the world of fashion, home decor, set design, and styling. I don’t think I’m known for anything, but hoping one day I will (one day sooner than later would be nice hahaha!) If you were to ask my friends & family, however, I believe they would say I’m kind, giving & a little wacky ha! I live to help others, and I can’t be content unless I’ve done all I can for them, and animals, and then some.
Recently I’ve started painting – more abstract – something I never had interest in. I have found though, it has given me peace, relaxation, and a time for my brain to pause. It’s not for everyone, but I love doing it!
I hope my love for people, places, animals and all places of the world bleeds through in my work to create dreamy, cozy, chic aesthetics – it’s what I finally feel is my calling.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say my ability to live in my own fairytale. And I mean, truly, just me – in my mind. The world around us shows every reason why it can’t happen, the odds are against us, and we aren’t ready. I choose to believe it not only can happen, but it will! I say the odds may be small, but why can’t we be in those winning odds? And I’ve learned – we may never be ‘ready’ but that’s when we have to jump in – fully!
Pricing:
- Photo/Video Shoot Styling: $300
- Paintings: $50-$250
- Home Decor Help/Inspo: $25/hour
- a good ‘tude: $free
- your personal cheerleader: $free
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.thegirlwithnoplan.com
- Instagram: @thegirlwithnoplan_
