MEET XPLR STUDIOS

A boutique, Colorado creative studio built by and for trailblazers and trendsetters.

In this studio, every design project built around the idea of adventure, but not in the way you think.

Building your business is the adventure of adventures. It’s where no one can tell you what it means to be “professional” (pst – you can be unserious and still be taken seriously). It’s where doing things your way isn’t a problem – it’s actually the whole reason you’ve hit your stride.

Where company values like “be nice to people and have a good time” can coexist with a healthy dose of that “please don’t tell me what to do” entrepreneurial attitude.

FOR BUSINESSES THAT THINK BIGGER, DO BETTER, AND BREAK THAT STATUS QUO

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FOR BUSINESSES THAT THINK BIGGER, DO BETTER, AND BREAK THAT STATUS QUO

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FOR BUSINESSES THAT THINK BIGGER, DO BETTER, AND BREAK THAT STATUS QUO ↟ FOR BUSINESSES THAT THINK BIGGER, DO BETTER, AND BREAK THAT STATUS QUO ↟

Hey, I’m Emily!

The creative behind XPLR Studios.

You guessed it, that little anecdote above is 100% sourced from my feelings about my own business. But if it sounds like something you would say, you’re in the right place!

The years I spent working for a “formal” agency helped me become a great designer – but my frustration built when I could never seem to do things the way that was expected. As a neurospicy person (I *aced* the ADHD assessment) I could never figure out how to be creative 40 hours a week while sitting at the same (ugly) desk.

Combine that with my funny, blunt, and fiercely loyal New England personality that always seemed to grate against the corporate world (ask me about the buttoned-up startup that said they loved my work but I wasn’t a “culture match” lol), and you’ve got one burnt out creative.

After spending years trying (and failing) to please everyone else, I finally realized that to find my own path, I had to start investing in *me*

Hauling my life from Boston to Colorado in 2018 kindled that inner spark of independence and adventure, sure – but it wasn’t until the great layoffs of 2020 (rudely) booting me off the beaten path that I finally embraced the fact that I NEVER belonged there to begin with.

Was I scared as shit? You betcha. But I went all-in on entrepreneurship – and it was the best decision I ever made.

5 years and many scrappy learning experience later… I’m still out here working hard alongside rad clients, playing outside whenever I can, and soaking up the freedom that comes with NOT being forced into a mold that I don’t fit in.

Through the designs I create, I seriously want nothing MORE than to spread that feeling – and the real, authentic business growth that comes with it.

A bit more about the human behind the designs…

I am a treasure trove of random knowledge

This is one of my ADHD superpowers that makes me a wildly adaptable creative partner (and a great gal to have on your trivia team).

I’m all about working to live, not living to work

My idea of “living” is sleeping under the stars, taking trips on no notice, getting to WFH or WFC(ampsite), and using my film camera to capture all the little moments.

I looooove cheese… it’s part of my personality

Grilled cheese, nachos, mac & cheese (especially Panera), pizza, a big ‘ol ball of burrata… I love it all (except bleu cheese, ew… I have standards).

I’ll respect the hell out of your boundaries, but…

I’ll always ask (respectful) questions when the time is right. I’m more than a designer – I’m your full blown creative partner, and I’ll always guide you in the right direction.

  • “Emily not only created a beautiful brand identity and logo for my business, but she also helped me to better understand my brand positioning and how to make my business distinct. She cares deeply about her client’s success and it shows!”

    CLIENT TITLE | COMPANY NAME

  • “Emily not only created a beautiful brand identity and logo for my business, but she also helped me to better understand my brand positioning and how to make my business distinct. She cares deeply about her client’s success and it shows!”

    CLIENT TITLE | COMPANY NAME

I’M A VISUAL GAL, BUT THESE NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT!

10

YEARS OF design
EXPERIENCE

05

years as a small business owner

90+

happy clients i’ve created for

??

bravo episodes watched while working

Values matter. Here are mine:

  • REALNESS

    Business IS personal, and your branding should be too. It should feel authentic to who you are. And showing up as your real self – knowing what that MEANS and acting on it – takes practice. We’ll do that together, and the final product will show it.

  • QUALITY

    When you work with XPLR, a beautiful deliverable is guaranteed. Honestly, that’s the bare minimum. You can also expect original concepts, nods to your story (love me an easter egg), and strategic guidance that will turn your dreams into a reality.

  • KINDNESS

    Working with XPLR Studios means signing up for a human-to-human collaboration built on mutual respect and inclusivity, ALWAYS. Nonprofits and stewardship-focused businesses will find a kindred spirit here, but the principle applies to everyone.

  • ADVENTURE

    In my world, adventure is not an exclusive term for intense mountain athletes. It simply means going beyond the status quo to think bigger, do better, and break boundaries – in your branding as in your life. What that actually looks like is totally up to you.

Honestly, I have no idea where this adventure will take us...

But I know it’ll be good. If you’re ready to discover what exactly it is that will make your business stand out, invest in authenticity, and take your brand to new heights, I’m ready too. So what do you say… shall we find out together?!