Built on Creative Roots - My Creative Origin Story

By: Erin D. MeHarg

Growing Up Creative

There’s something special about growing up surrounded by people who create. You don’t always realize it as a child, but when you look back, you see how those early influences shape the way you see the world, the way you work, and the way you dream. My creativity wasn’t something I stumbled into, it was something I was raised in. I come from a line of resourceful, imaginative, resilient women. My mom, my grandmother, and now my daughter. Each one of them has inspired me in a different way. They didn’t just make things; they created meaning. They told stories with their hands and their hearts. They taught me that creativity isn’t just what you do, it’s how you live, how you problem-solve, how you connect with others.

MeMe’s Influence

Creativity showed up early for me, in small but meaningful moments. I remember sitting with my MeMe, cutting people out of magazines to make my own paper dolls. She always had “type writer” paper we could draw and color on. MeMe was creative too, she was always quilting and sewing.

My Mom’s Creative Spirit

My mom carried that same spirit. She sewed every one of my fancy prom dresses in high school and ran her own homecoming mum–making business. She always found a way to bring imagination to life, and she could use just about any tool to create with. Whether it was fabric, markers, glitter, glue, or just encouragement, she always made sure I had what I needed to create. She never told me an idea was too big or too strange. The best part of having a creative mother is that she (along with me) has also shared her creativity with my daughter over the years. Now my daughter, a young adult, is sharing her creativity at her job and with her friends.

My Dad’s Craftsmanship

And then there was my dad. He was a carpenter, always building, fixing, and creating something. He showed me what it looks like to work with your hands. He also was an entrepreneur and owned his own construction company. I guess that spirit of entrepreneurship rubbed off on me as well.

My Husband’s Support

Now, as an adult, that same support system continues with my husband. Dale is my biggest fan, my sounding board, and my steady force behind every new idea I dream up. He doesn’t just cheer me on, he gets involved. He plays an active role in everything I do, from helping me brainstorm to stepping into a sales role when needed and connecting me with potential clients. He believes in me on the days I doubt myself, and he celebrates every win like it’s his own. It’s a blessing to have a partner who not only supports creativity but truly understands it.

A Shared Name — EDM

One of my favorite parts of building this business is something small but meaningful: EDM aren’t just my initials, they’re his, too. Erin Dawn & Eddie Dale Meharg) It feels symbolic that the name of my creative brand carries both of us in it. A reminder that while the ideas may begin with me, he’s woven into every step of the journey.

The Foundation of My Creativity

All of these pieces, time spent with my grandmother, my mom’s encouragement, my dad’s craftsmanship, and my husband's unwavering support, built the foundation of who I am creatively. That foundation carried me into my early college years when I first declared a major in Fine Art. It felt natural. But as I explored more ways to bring creativity into the real world, I shifted into Advertising Arts. Life happened, as it tends to, and my path wasn’t a straight line. However, in September 2016, I went back and finished my Associate of Fine Arts degree at Trinity Valley Community College, something I’m incredibly proud of. After a year’s break, I returned to school again, this time with a clear purpose: Marketing. I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Merchandise Marketing at Wade College September 2021. Social media had always fascinated me, and combining that with marketing felt like a no-brainer. It was storytelling, creativity, strategy, and connection all wrapped together.

Where EDM Creative Comes In

Now, with EDM Creative, all these threads come together. This brand isn’t just a business. It’s a culmination of my creative roots, my education, my experiences, and the people who shaped me. It’s the story of where I come from, woven into the story of where I’m going.

Welcome to “My Thoughts”

“My Thoughts” will be the space where I share the behind-the-scenes, the ideas that excite me, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and the things that spark creativity in my everyday life. More than anything, it will be the place where I continue growing those creative roots forward.

A Toast to the Journey

Here’s to new beginnings. 

Here’s to the people who raised me to imagine. 

Here’s to the man who supports every dream. 

And here’s to the stories we’ll tell from here.

Interested in working together? Visit my Marketing Menu to see how we can bring your ideas to life.