Following EMKO’s 13^th year anniversary we are happy to present to you short interview with EMKO's founder and General Manager -
Erika Markovska-Mikulskienė.

Altogether Erika spent more than two decades in the furniture business. She started her carrier in one of the biggest Lithuanian production companies as a sales person, in just a few years got promoted to Sales and Marketing Executive. But that just wasn’t enough, and after few more challenging experiences EMKO brand was established. Let’s find out how and why it happened!

 

 

What was the inspiration to start a new brand in the market where it seems brands are enough? 

I would rather call it believe than inspiration. For decades in the furniture industry Lithuania was and still is known as good production base and trustable partner providing excellent quality. Nevertheless, there was a lack of our own Lithuanian based brand to bring into light design and high added value products. Therefore, we believed it is the right spot for EMKO to be started.

 

And what was the start then? 

In fact, the beginning of the beginning was a meeting of a young product design student Inesa. She was an intern in the company I was hired to put an export on track. After a few shared cups of tea she showed me her bachelor work – unique in design writing desk, and asked for a help to develop it. Even though, I already gained a lot of knowledge in the furniture production, mine competency wasn’t enough and that’s where my colleague came into play. He is a devoted developer, the more complicated the product is, the higher his excitement. Needless to say, the writing desk called My Writing Desk was a success as a bachelor work and later as EMKO’s first product. It was presented as such for the first time at IMM Cologne fair in 2013^th. And that is an official start of EMKO brand.

 

 

Was it difficult to compete in the market, especially being from the country, Lithuania, not actually known for the achievements in the design industry? 

In a way it still is, no matter how much we’ve already done – not only in marketing and promoting EMKO, but also in educating about Lithuania being an innovative, smart and creative country. Nevertheless, we took that as an advantage of ours. Hey, did you know that Lithuania is able not only to produce? Look at that! This approach helped us, a totally fresh brand, with unique products to be noticed not only by potential partners, but different bloggers, interior magazines as well. But the most important thing, I believe, was our team knowing its own value. We never felt any worse than other brands from the countries with reach history and identity in design. We know that our products are beautiful and smart in design and excellent in quality, and went with that on the field. And since from the very beginning we were gaining a lot of international customers (at the moment more than 90% our sales are done in export market) I can call it a success so far.

 

Do you feel some changes in the market in the last decade?

We do feel the wind of changes, hopefully, everybody does. Although, there is still a strong competition with huge brands having great share of market and producing their goods in large batches in the Far East countries. Our buyers are becoming more and more peaky and conscious, that is an absolute win not only for smaller brands like EMKO but for the environment and society altogether. People do care about products’ sustainability, source of raw materials, waste after production. EMKO was built from the very beginning on the „responsible production base” – starting with sourcing and local production in Lithuania, moving to the long performance of the product and much more aspects in mind: oil instead of lacquer, disassembled delivery to reduce the packages. Now our target is also to create products either with no waste, or even products from left over materials which otherwise would be a waste. And there is still so much to be done for our brighter future!  We just hope that society will move further in this direction and our customers will support and love it. We have only one earth to live on, and we want make our descendants proud of our generation and able to live on a green planet instead of wasteland.

 

 

What was the most challenging experience?

Our first exhibition as a brand 13 years ago. We had no experience of the processes and logistics for participants and just a few prototypes. We had to create name for the brand, logo, print some leaflets, business cards, organize shipping and all work had to be done in 4 weeks! Also, we were just two ladies! Luckily, there was another Lithuanian company at the fair and we - small country citizens, are always eager to help each other in any corner of the world.

 

Your favourite product and why?

Even though as a small company, we always select each new product very carefully and with devotion, so all the products are very loveable for me, I do have one favourite from our new line. It is NVMD Floating Shelf, I just love the various silhouettes it brings as well as the zero waste production due to smart design implemented. 

 

 

How many of EMKO products do you have at home?

Let’s count – my son is working on 4.9 Desk, my daughter has a Macaron Pendant Lamp in her room and Naïve Side Table and small Step Up for shoes. In our home office we have My Writing Desk and Citizen Chairs. In bedroom I have Dew Mirror. At entrance we have Foldin Shelves, NVMD shelves and large Step Up, also all first prototypes of Naïve Chairs live with us. In the dining room I have Babel Fruit Stand and Hat Pendant Lamps. And many Aye Aye Candleholders all over the house. In terrace I have Not A Sofa. We are sleeping on EMKO Supreme Mattress. Shall I continue the count? J And I will definitely have more, I can easily imagine each new product of EMKO in my interior!

 

What is EMKO plan for the future?

Have you seen the animated series “The Pinky And The Brain”? If you did, you know J Jokes aside, the most important thing for EMKO would be to make a change. To show the example of responsible business and having meaning in what you are doing, instead of chasing the largest profit by any means.