Meet Erin Norris | Web Designer + Marketing Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Norris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
(Marketing + Web Design)

Consumers these days are different, businesses are constantly being compared. Information and impressions matter, if your website isn’t consistently bringing in leads, something is off. Growing your business with ads and referrals is great, but you’re likely leaving money on the table if you’re not getting leads from organic searches.

There is a lot of science and psychology go into effective design. Aesthetics should come second to strategy; it’s about understanding how people think, feel, and behave online. Since it takes just 0.05 seconds for a visitor to form an opinion about your website—the page that they land on needs to make a strong first impression to convert.

Another misconception is that good SEO is out of reach for small businesses. In reality, by incorporating simple, yet strategic SEO practices, even the smallest brands can significantly boost their online visibility and attract more clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey into the world of design and branding started with a little audacity and a lot of passion. When I was 19, I was a study abroad student, with a gut feeling that I wanted to work for that company. In a playful but determined move, I “borrowed” a pair of office keys and began showing up early to open the office, make coffee, and do my homework before class. I even started calling myself an intern—long before I actually earned the title.

It worked, I got an internship and I spent every summer of college interning in Costa Rica. The risk paid off. I also learned about opportunity costs of chasing dreams; I worked 30+ hours a week as a college athlete in order to manage my summer lifestyle. After graduation, I was hired full-time and moved to Seattle. Within months, I found myself redesigning all of the company’s sales proposals and eventually taking over web design. Within three years, I was the brand manager, and we tripled the annual enrollment.

What sets me apart is that blend of creative boldness and a deep commitment to growth. I’m most proud of the way that design was a gateway to learning how to building brands and stories that resonate on a personal level. It hasn’t always been easy—there were plenty of challenges, career pivots that didn’t pan out, sales roles that I hated, and finally, coming back to home to marketing. But each challenge taught me the importance of trusting my instincts, taking calculated risks, and always staying curious. Somewhere in the 25 years I was following Damian (my mentor) around, I learned that you can learn how to do anything, so follow what brings you joy and/or opportunities.

At Ruby Works, those lessons continue to shape everything I do. The goal has always been to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to tell their unique stories through thoughtful, and effective channels. Now I work with all types of service providers and creatives to leverage the work they are already doing, for more opportunities. One of my favorite phrases to tell clients is, “let people pay you” because that is what converting websites (and sales funnels) do – which is why I spent years learning how to do wrap around projects that include branding, copy, web design, development, SEO and more.

My story started with a few pots of coffee and a willingness to take a chance, and it’s led to a career that I’m a bit obsessed with. I love getting to work with like-minded entrepreneurs, who understand the ways that a data-driven marketing strategy, and relationships can catapult their business to new heights.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I LOVE my neighborhood and the surrounding areas. When I am hosting in LA, it’s all about food (and sometimes plants).

Some of my favorite places to patron are:
Dinosaur coffee for the cinnamon cardamom iced coffee, Millie’s cafe or Marco Polo for brunch, Villas Tacos for lunch, Superior Grocers for pastries and jugs of horchata, Bar Stella for Happy Hour, Night Market (Thai) or The Win-Dow (Burgers) for dinner. Donna’s (Italian, Echo Park) Marouch (Lebanese, East Hollywood), Yangbang (Korean, Downtown) and Cafe Formosa (Chinese, West Hollywood) are some of my favorites.

No trip is complete without Happy’s Carniceria 21 (Virgil Ave), get their in house guacamole and salsas, thank me later. I am always trying to find my new favorite taco stand. Since moving to LA 3 years ago, pupusas and tacos al pastor have been a staple in my diet. I also try to hit the Thai Night Market at least once a month.

I love going to the flower market downtown or Sunset Nursery for plants. I currently have about 40 house plants in my apartment.

I am highly invested in sunshine, and good food – I love LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was lucky enough to meet the person who would shape me into an entrepreneur when I was 6. My mentor, coach, and friend, Damian Williams taught me that everything is figure-out-able and how to spin any idea into an opportunity. Throughout my life, I watched him master his craft, network with the top of his industry, launch multiple businesses, and pivot his career while staying consistent in his love of sports and community. His super powers were storytelling and relationships, which are invaluable skills for any entrepreneur. I joke that he taught me “everything about everything” but especially how to have a full, successful life.

Website: https://rubyworks.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyworks.co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-a-norris/

Other: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6407a7b159928c789121993b
my weekly storytelling newsletter Weird Magic

Image Credits
Carol D Webb | Impact Media Group