Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Meier.
Hi Erika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How much time do you have? Haha! If I had kept all of my business cards from the past 30 years, I think I would have at least a dozen. My journey to successfully running my own publishing business in Los Angeles took almost 20 years and included jobs in advertising with luxury automotive companies, pyramid scams (whoops, I was naive), and teaching kundalini yoga. I can’t believe all the different job situations and people I worked with. It makes me want to have a drink. Or a nap, or both! Some of it is fun to remember, and some is not. It is all part of the journey, right?
I am thrilled to report that I have been extremely happy with my current business of 14 years, Meier Publishing, working with wedding venues to produce gorgeous coffee-table-style brochures for their wedding clients.
Oh, and I wrote a children’s book last year, Jimmer of Echo Park! It was extremely exciting and challenging! (You will see me as the fairy godmother that is represented in some of the pictures.)
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh my God, no! I am getting slightly triggered just thinking about it. How I didn’t move back to Michigan with some of the experiences I had is beyond me. I needed to make money to pay the rent and, of course, still go out to sushi dinners and day-drink at the Roosevelt Hotel pool. After I left the corporate world of advertising, I got to dabble in the underbelly of making money in Los Angeles. From 2000–2009 came some odd and sketchy jobs. I would pretty much do any sales job to make money. Craig’s List was amazing for little one off jobs.
I was very positive and believed that all of the random experiences I had would propel me into some sort of business or career that was enjoyable and profitable that I could run myself. I had many shitty bosses, most of them just out to make a quick buck, not caring about the outcome of the job we were doing or downright scammers. I will save those stories for another time. It wasn’t until I started Meier Publishing in 2010 that I had a steady business that was all mine, and that wasn’t easy either since my best friend and I had started a similar company, and I was about to start my own. Finally, my future career was looking up!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, to speak truthfully through the words of AI: In the heart of the vibrant Echo Park neighborhood, amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, lies a hidden world of enchantment and wonder. And at the center of it all is Erika Meier, a whimsical resident known to locals as “The Fairy Godmother.”
Erika, a self-described lover of all things magical, adores her cozy home in the midst of Echo Park’s natural beauty. But it’s not just her unique persona that captures the imagination of those who cross her path; Erika has an extraordinary secret.
With the release of her debut children’s book, Jimmer of Echo Park, Erika invites young readers on an enchanting journey through her backyard and garden through the eyes of her cat, Jimmer. Within its pages, she weaves a tale of friendship, adventure, and the boundless power of imagination.
As Erika’s words come to life with beautiful illustrations hand-drawn by her 80-year-old mother-in-law, Linda Dahl, children are transported to a world where nature reigns supreme and imaginations run wild.
Enough of the fairygodmother, this is what pays the bills: Meier Publishing designs and publishes venue-specific wedding and special event brochures that are dedicated exclusively to helping couples plan their dream wedding. From simple elegance to grand ceremonies, the brochure provides the tools necessary to begin an unforgettable journey into wedded bliss.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes! You will sometimes find that the people you expect to help you network or give you a sense of direction with a career will not show up. They just won’t. It will sometimes be the people you least expect, kind-hearted people, who would be happy to sit down with you and give your advice or their experience in a certain field. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance! I am still learning this and always cast a wide net when prospecting for new business. When I find new people to network with, I now have a keen sense of who wants to help and who is wasting my time. My advice is just pay attention and take it all in. It’s all part of the learning and growing process of developing your own unique style of being a leader or mentor in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: meierpublishing.com
- Instagram: @meierpublishing and @fairygodmother.books
- Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/erika-meier- 25681132/
Image Credits
Halley Vernon Photography
