My Differentiators

• Industry Best Practices

  Because I work with hundreds of different firms, I have unparalleled insight into the latest trends and tactics as well as an opportunity to identify, test, and refine best practices. I leverage these ideas and strategies to elevate my clients’ business practices and evolve the creative industry overall.

• Behavioral and Motivational Assessments

  I am certified to conduct DISC and 12 Driving Forces assessments for my clients and their teams. These assessments help me examine the behaviors we each bring to our job—the “how we act” the way we do—and the motivators—the “why we act” the way we do. The assessment helps me work with my clients to:

  • Reveal behavioral preferences, individual motivators, and unique strengths
  • Hire, develop, and advance the right talent
  • Increase employee productivity
  • Improve communication
  • Reduce partner and/or workplace conflict
  • Build team-wide harmony and understanding

• Deep Industry Experience and Specialization

  I only work with creative firms. As both a left- and right-brain thinker, I have a dual perspective that helps me consider, balance, and understand the needs of both the creative and operational sides of managing a business. I’m not just another consultant, but one that knows what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. I understand why you love the creative industry, because I love it too!

• Women-Owned & Led

  I believe that being a woman in a male-dominated consulting industry has given me an advantage in how I think about client relationships and business strategy. My approach utilizes both a knowledge and love of business as well as compassion and flexibility. I put aside my ego, care deeply, and am personally invested in my clients’ long-term success.

Emily Cohen

• Consultant

  I am a no-nonsense business consultant who has partnered with 500+ leading creative firms worldwide. I have developed, tested, and refined key insights and strategies that have allowed my clients’ businesses to become more effective, profitable, and fun to work at. I am a designer by degree, an avid reader, dog-lover, a trend-spotter, a connection-builder, and an industry advocate.

• Speaker

  I am a frequently-requested main stage speaker within the creative industry and have spoken at hundreds of international, national, and local conferences and events for organizations such as: Creative Mornings, AIGA, Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), Ladies Wine & Design, Core77, and Forward Festival. My talks reflect my expertise in the latest trends and common pain points in running and evolving a creative business, from positioning, new business development, and conflict management to organizational and pricing strategies.

  Podcast Guest
  I have been a guest on numerous industry-focused podcasts both nationally and internationally including: The Futur, Just Creative, The Creative Rising, Design of Podcast, Drunk on Lettering, and Design Domination.

• Teacher

  For over ten years, I have taught the Business of Design at premier universities including: New York University (NYU), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and Tyler School of Art & Architecture. I also am a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and have developed several courses for the platform.

• Author

  I am proud to include author among my credentials. In 2018, I self-published my business book for creatives, Brutally Honest: No-bullshit business strategies to evolve your creative business. The book has become the bible for industry professionals worldwide and several universities use it as a teaching tool. Brutally Honest was recognized with a Judges Choice Award in the Mohawk Show.

  “This book is a beautiful merger of design, content, and function. It marries beautiful printing and production with great writing. It sends a powerful message about the value of design and the importance of paying attention to the craft of running a business.”

  Ellen Lupton, Writer + Curator – Mohawk Show Judge

Hunter Vargas