Art & Life with Erin Leigh

Erin, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started my first company when I was 27. I lived in Hawaii and was backpacking through Asia and didn’t want to come home so I started buying from local street artists, hand made goods like art, jewelry, purses, clothes, etc.. and sent the goods back to my friend who sold everything at her stores. She would put money in my bank and I would keep traveling, until I needed more and repeat.

That grew into full time and I created Femme Bazaar, a shopping and wine party hosted at peoples houses or stores. That grew and spread throughout all the islands and also here in Orange County. I then started making my own products and selling on a large scale to resorts and stores throughout Hawaii.

When 2008 hit I stopped with this business. Randomly I fire danced as a hobby and got asked to perform in a show three times a week. I then got to travel around the world performing for various artists and festivals. I started the Sweet Spin, a fire troupe and fire spinning class. I got to perform with my best friends and also teach people how to dance with fire.

I did that for quite a while and during my down time fell in love with making my own necklaces. Friends and family began requesting pieces so I began MACHINA and started selling online. I enjoyed doing this but realized it was the branding I loved most. I loved creating a business. For all my businesses I did all the branding, marketing, photoshoots, graphics, web design, everything.

I had helped friends and family designing their businesses as well and one day realized I could create a life of travel as a remote designer that gets paid, so I took the plunge and haven’t looked back! I went full force and my client list grew, I did any design work they needed: graphics, websites, branding, social media, creative direction and consulting.

After years of traveling and living abroad I was missing my family and home and moved back to Orange County. I teamed up with my uncle, he is a local SEO genius, and with my web designs and his expertise in getting people ranked we knew we could really make a difference for businesses. Being from Orange County, and as a love nod to, I decided to name the business PULP.

Though I still have clients around the world, PULP is focused mainly on Orange County businesses who are looking for a Fresh Squeezed Perspective. I help with branding, build websites and get people ranked in the top 3 Google search. Designing for other businesses is my art now, I love my life and where I live and love being from and a part of this Orange County community!