Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Brooke Bogan.
Hi Erin Brooke, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, and creativity has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As an only child with divorced parents, I spent a lot of time drawing, crafting, and finding creative ways to stay busy. My mom always seemed to have a project ready for me, and my dad would bring home stacks of old green-and-white computer paper from work that I would fill with drawings. Looking back, those experiences helped shape who I am today.
Photography became another lifelong passion. My grandparents put a camera in my hands at an early age, and from Polaroids to my first Nikon film camera, I’ve always viewed the world through a lens. Even today, photography remains one of my favorite ways to tell stories and connect with people.
While I was creative, I also had an entrepreneurial side that showed up earlier than I realized. In high school, I wanted experience in interior design, so I pulled out the Yellow Pages and started cold-calling local designers until someone gave me a chance. Around the same time, I created CDs of photos from our high school years and sold them to friends. At the time, I wasn’t thinking of it as entrepreneurship—I was simply finding ways to combine creativity with opportunity.
After starting college at Radford University, I transferred to the University of Maryland and moved to Maryland in 1999. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and later a Master of Science in Marketing, which allowed me to combine both creativity and strategy.
My professional career began at McHale Landscape Design, where I was hired as an administrative assistant. Like many positions throughout my career, what started as one role quickly evolved into something larger. I eventually took on photography, graphic design and creative projects that aligned with my strengths. That pattern continued throughout my career. I often found myself hired for one job but growing into roles that allowed me to create, solve problems, and help businesses communicate their stories more effectively.
For years, I thought about starting my own business, but like many people, I was comfortable. I had a steady paycheck, benefits, and the security that comes with working for someone else. Then, following COVID, I was laid off. What initially felt like a setback became the opportunity I needed to finally take the leap I had been putting off for years.
I launched EBB Creative Marketing in 2021. Interestingly, my first client was a friend who hired me to research and plan a vacation because she liked the way I organized our own travels. That project led to marketing work, social media management, and eventually referrals. The business grew almost entirely through word of mouth, something that remains true today and is one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of.
Today, EBB Creative Marketing allows me to do what I love most: help businesses, nonprofits, and organizations bring their ideas to life. Whether through branding, photography, social media, graphic design, or marketing strategy, I enjoy helping people take something that’s in their head and turn it into something tangible that connects with others. Looking back, every step of my journey—from drawing on computer paper as a child to building a business of my own—has been rooted in creativity, relationships, and storytelling.
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?
Like most business owners, I can honestly say it hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.
The biggest hurdle was simply believing in myself enough to take the leap. Starting a business wasn’t something I did because I had a perfect plan. It happened because circumstances pushed me to make a decision. After being laid off, I had to choose whether to find another job or finally pursue something I had wanted to do for years. Looking back, that was probably the most intimidating part of the entire journey.
Imposter syndrome has also been something I’ve had to work through. Even with years of experience, there are still moments when you question yourself, especially when you’re no longer part of a larger organization and every decision rests on your shoulders. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my experience, trust my instincts, and trust the relationships I’ve built with my clients.
Another challenge that many creative entrepreneurs can relate to is wearing every hat. When you’re employed by someone else, you often get to focus on the work you’re best at. As a business owner, you’re responsible for everything. One minute you’re designing a logo, photographing a property, or creating a marketing campaign, and the next you’re handling invoices, contracts, scheduling, taxes, and client management. Learning how to balance the creative side of the business with the operational side has been an ongoing process.
The marketing industry itself is constantly evolving, which presents both opportunities and challenges. Social media platforms change, technology changes, artificial intelligence is reshaping parts of the industry, and client needs continue to evolve. Staying relevant means committing to continuous learning and being willing to adapt.
That said, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every challenge has helped me grow, both professionally and personally. The experiences have reinforced something I strongly believe, success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about EBB Creative Marketing?
EBB Creative Marketing is a boutique marketing and creative services company that helps businesses, nonprofits, and organizations bring their stories to life through strategic marketing, design, photography, content creation, and branding.
While I offer a wide range of services—including social media management, graphic design, photography, email marketing, website support, content creation, and marketing consulting—what truly sets EBB CM apart is the way I work with my clients.
I’ve never believed in cookie-cutter marketing. Every business has its own personality, goals, challenges, and audience. Instead of forcing clients into a predefined package or strategy, I take the time to understand who they are, what makes them unique, and what story they want to tell. From there, I build customized solutions that align with their brand and objectives.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built. Many of my clients have been with me for years, and several came through referrals from existing clients. In many cases, I become an extension of their team rather than an outside vendor. I care deeply about their success, and I think that level of trust and collaboration is what allows us to create meaningful results together.
My background in both Studio Art and Marketing has also shaped how I approach projects. I enjoy blending creativity with strategy—creating work that not only looks good but serves a purpose. Whether I’m designing a brochure, photographing a property, managing a social media campaign, or helping a nonprofit tell its impact story, my goal is always the same: create something authentic that helps people connect.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of isn’t a specific project or award. It’s the reputation EBB Creative Marketing has built through relationships, trust, and word-of-mouth referrals. The majority of my business has grown organically because clients continue to recommend me to others, and I consider that one of the greatest compliments I can receive.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or impersonal. My goal is to help clients feel supported, understood, and confident in their brand while creating marketing that reflects who they truly are. When clients succeed, I feel like I’ve succeeded too, and that’s what continues to inspire me every day.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that marketing is about far more than social media posts, logos, or websites. At its core, it’s about relationships and storytelling.
What I love most about my work is helping businesses and organizations take the ideas they have in their heads and bring them to life in a way that feels authentic to who they are. Every client is different, which is why I’ve never believed in one-size-fits-all marketing. The best marketing happens when you truly understand the people, the mission, and the story behind a business.
I also believe success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. In a world that often celebrates constant growth and hustle, I’ve found fulfillment in building a business that allows me to do meaningful work with clients I genuinely enjoy while maintaining balance in my personal life. To me, success is having clients who trust me, work I’m proud of, and the ability to continue learning, creating, and exploring new places with the people I love.
I feel incredibly fortunate to work with businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community organizations that are passionate about what they do. Their trust allows me to do what I love every day, and for that I am truly grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ebbcreativemarketing.com
