My Conversation with Emily Paulsen: Choice and Curiosity as the Key to Living Life on Your Own Terms

What if the life you were meant to live looks nothing like the one you were told to want? In my conversation with branding expert and podcast host Emily Paulsen, we explored what it really means to build a life and business that fully align with who you are—without guilt, without compromise, and without following anyone else’s blueprint.

Emily is the founder of Electric Collab, a branding and web design studio for leaders, and the host of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman. As someone who has intentionally chosen a path outside of societal norms, she brings a unique perspective on personal branding, decision-making, and living in full alignment with your values.

We talked about the fear of blending in, why niching isn’t about demographics but about the transformation you create, and how curiosity can open doors you never expected. Whether in business or in life, Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that the best decisions often come from listening to yourself—not outside pressure.

Living Life by Design, Not Default

From an early age, Emily knew she didn’t want to simply follow the crowd. She was drawn to creativity, individuality, and building something of her own. But like so many of us, she also faced external expectations—what success should look like, what a woman “should” want, and how life “should” unfold.

Instead of defaulting to those expectations, she built a career rooted in self-expression and authenticity. Her work in branding is about more than just design—it’s about helping people be seen for who they really are. She shared how she helps leaders create brands that reflect where they’re headed, not just where they’ve been.

The Power of Choosing What’s Right for You

One of the most personal choices Emily has made is to live a childfree life—a decision that, while right for her, hasn’t always been easy to navigate in a world that assumes all women want motherhood. She described the clarity and relief she felt when she realized she didn’t have to follow that path, even though it meant navigating tough conversations with friends and family.

Rather than trying to convince anyone else of her choice, she focuses on empowering people to make the best decisions for their own lives—whether that means choosing a career path, launching a business, or deciding how they want to live.

The lesson? True fulfillment comes from making choices that align with who you are, even when they don’t fit societal norms.

Curiosity as a Life and Business Philosophy

At the heart of Emily’s approach to both branding and life is curiosity. Instead of feeling the need to have everything figured out, she embraces the process of learning, evolving, and being open to new possibilities.

This mindset has helped her build a business that allows her to do meaningful work with clients who share her values. It has also been the driving force behind her podcast, Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, which creates space for conversations about life outside of traditional expectations.

Her advice? Stay curious. Keep asking questions. Keep exploring. That’s where the most exciting opportunities and growth happen.

Actionable Steps to Build a Life That’s True to You

If you’re feeling stuck in a life that doesn’t quite fit, here are a few takeaways from my conversation with Emily:

• Get clear on your personal values. What truly matters to you, and are your decisions reflecting that?
• Look for moments of relief. If a decision makes you feel lighter, it’s a sign you’re on the right path.
• Define success on your terms. Whether in business, relationships, or personal goals, success should be aligned with your vision—not someone else’s.
• Use branding as a tool for clarity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or not, how you present yourself to the world should feel like a reflection of who you truly are.
• Embrace curiosity. Instead of fearing change, see it as an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Emily was that we don’t have to justify living the life we want—we just have to choose it. Whether that means building a brand that aligns with your vision, making a major life decision, or simply following your curiosity, you have full permission to create a life that’s right for you.

If you’re looking for more clarity on what you want and how to align your life with your biggest dreams, download my Dream Life Guide. It’s a step-by-step resource to help you move past doubt and into action. Download the guide here for free: iheartmylife.com/guide.