This year marks 11 years since EMV Design + Build was founded. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a design build company known for thoughtful construction, transparent processes, and long lasting relationships with clients and trade partners.
Like many businesses that last, EMV was not built overnight. Its growth has come through steady work, strong partnerships, and a clear commitment to doing things the right way.
EMV Design + Build was founded in 2015 when Edith’s children were just two and four years old. At the time, starting a business felt like a way to create flexibility while continuing to pursue the work she loved.
The reality of entrepreneurship quickly proved to be far more demanding.
Building a company required long hours, persistence, and the willingness to take responsibility for every part of the process. Many evenings were spent working after her children were asleep, managing projects while navigating the challenges of launching a business from the ground up.
Edith’s path into construction began years earlier. She started her career in 2007 working in interior design, gaining experience within an established company and learning the foundations of the industry.
Early in her career, Edith believed her future was in interior design. Over time, she discovered that what truly energized her was construction. The coordination of trades, the problem solving that happens on a job site, and the process of turning an idea into a finished space became the part of the work she cared most about.
She also began to realize that the company she worked for did not share the same values she believed were essential in construction. Transparency with clients, strong communication, and respect for craftsmanship were principles she felt strongly about.
Instead of continuing within a system that did not align with those values, she chose to create something different.
From the beginning, EMV was built with a clear mission:
to integrate design and construction under one roof while maintaining honest communication and strong collaboration with clients and trade partners.
Like many entrepreneurs, Edith did not begin with funding or financial backing. EMV Design + Build started with little more than her final paycheck. There were no investors, no loan, and no financial cushion. Growth had to happen carefully and responsibly.
During the earliest stage of the business, a colleague offered a small corner of an office so she would not have to work out of her bedroom. That simple gesture created a place where the company could begin to take shape.
The first projects came through relationships and word of mouth. Rather than focusing on marketing strategies or branding, the focus remained on delivering thoughtful work and building trust with each client.
Looking back, one of the greatest challenges during those early years was not only limited access to capital but also limited awareness of the financial tools that might have been available. Entrepreneurship often requires learning in real time, discovering both opportunities and obstacles along the way.
What carried the company forward was resourcefulness, strong relationships with trade partners, and a consistent commitment to quality work.
Many people assume successful companies are built through one defining breakthrough moment. EMV’s growth came through something much quieter and steadier.
Consistency.
Projects were completed with care. Communication remained clear. Relationships with trade partners were built on reliability and respect. Over time, that steady approach created trust.
Clients began recommending EMV to friends and neighbors. Trade partners valued the collaborative approach to projects. Each completed home or remodel strengthened the company’s reputation.
At the same time, Edith leaned fully into construction as the heart of the business. What began with a background in interior design evolved into a deeper commitment to the building process itself.
Challenges along the way became part of that growth. Construction is complex, and every project brings its own lessons. Early experiences revealed where systems needed improvement, where expectations needed to be communicated more clearly, and where stronger boundaries were necessary.
Those lessons helped shape the company EMV has become today.
From the beginning, EMV Design + Build has been guided by a few core values that continue to shape the way the company approaches every project.
Transparency sits at the center of the process. Building or remodeling a home is a significant investment, and clients deserve to understand the decisions, timelines, and process along the way.
Communication is another cornerstone. Construction involves many moving parts, and thoughtful communication helps keep projects aligned while ensuring that clients feel informed and supported throughout the experience.
Craftsmanship also remains a defining priority. EMV has never focused on rapid growth or high volume. The goal has always been to build thoughtfully, working with skilled trade partners who take pride in the quality of their work.
At its core, EMV is about relationships. The company has grown largely through referrals and long standing partnerships, a reflection of the trust built with clients, collaborators, and trade professionals over the past decade.
As EMV Design + Build moves into its next chapter, the company is entering a period of refinement and focus.
The early years were dedicated to building credibility, forming strong relationships, and establishing a foundation within the industry. The future is about strengthening that foundation and aligning even more closely with the company’s long term vision.
EMV is stepping fully into luxury custom homes as its primary direction, with holistic whole home remodels continuing as a complementary offering.
More than a decade after it began, the mission remains the same: building homes with intention, building strong partnerships, and building a company designed to last.
