Hidden Gems: Meet Emilia Robertson of Eccentric-Love

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilia Robertson. 

Hi Emilia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Manhattan New York and raised in the Bronx New York. Growing up I was into art, modeling, track, math, and fashion designing. I’ve been working in customer service since I was 16 years old with my first job being at Build a Bear Workshop, Inc. I was a part of the team that opened the New York 5TH avenue flagship store in 2006. As a super talkative helpful person this was the perfect 1st retail job for me.

In 2012 I launched what I thought was going to be my lifelong career with my original fashion design brand Eccentric-Love. For 3 years I did nonstop fashion shows, tv shows, club appearances and making clothes from scratch for all my friends and family. But in June of 2015 when the full-time job I was working at FAO Schwartz said they had gone bankrupt and would be closing their stores, I decided to pack up my large 2-bedroom apartment in New York City and head to St Louis MO (mind you I have never even traveled to the Midwest lol). It has been almost 7 years since I arrived in Missouri and I have overcome, accomplished and continuously keep doing so much while being completely on my own with no family here.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! With life, I just keep trying to balance out having a social life, being a mom, and having daily routines which can become difficult sometimes. Being an African American single mom, battling with postpartum depression/anxiety, working full time, raising my daughter, running a small business (I had to revamp Eccentric-Love), and being a homeowner was a new struggling task every single day.

When I came to St. Louis I had no idea of what was to come over the next 7 years. In that time I had worked different jobs to figure out where I wanted my career to be, I gained experience in working as a banker (this was a goal I wanted to accomplish since being in junior high school because of my love for math), I became a first time mom in 2017 to my loving Tailynn Wriley (that’s a journey in itself), purchased my first car in 2018 and taught myself how to drive so I could get my license, traveled back to the east coast multiple times in which my daughter has a lifelong love for planes, purchased my first home and 2nd car in 2021 and looking forward to hosting my 1 year business anniversary event for Eccentric-Eats this June 12th.

I noticed that with all the love & support from my family that live back on the east coast and my amazing friends in St. Louis it helps a ton!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Eccentric-Love, LLC.?
I have 2 small businesses under the Eccentric-Love, LLC. umbrella which are Eccentric-Eats and ShotsByEmilia both are mobile at the current moment:

-Eccentric-Eats is a vegan food & drink company that I publicly launched in mid-2021. In 2017 at 10 months old my daughter was diagnosed with a major dairy & egg allergy which for the next four years took me on a very fun and interesting journey that led me here. Being able to put together so many healthy and fun meals for her, made me want to share my love for cooking vegan food with the world. The menu includes natural fresh pressed juices, sea moss gel, meal preps, and healthy comfort foods to show people that being “vegan” isn’t just a salad and water. I also provide catering for all events including Brunch, birthday/bachelorette/bachelor parties, corporate events, social events, weddings, holidays, baby/bridal showers, to provide awesome vegan options. This is best and dear to me because I see so many people struggle with food allergies, weight or health problems and I want to be the advocate for them all. Simply put Eccentric-Eats is “Vegan food made with Love”

-ShotsByEmilia is a mobile bartending service that specializes in delicious and crafty mixologist skills with fun safe drinking. With over 12 years of bartending training/experience, professional, customer service friendly, and a punctual fully certified mobile mixologist. I have experience in New York & New Jersey and now in Missouri & Illinois. ShotsByEmilia will always provide a great experience for you and your guests. You don’t have to drink the entire bottle to have a great time. “Safe drinking” is still enjoying your cocktails but not driving under the influence because we all want to get back home to our loved ones. Currently I am the bartender at Trio Banquet Center “Every First Friday” and I bartend their private events as well. I have availability for all events including but not limited to Brunch, birthday/bachelorette/bachelor parties, corporate events, social events, weddings, holidays, baby/bridal showers and much more.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was extremely awkward because of my height and the way I dressed. You’d probably describe me as someone that always set themselves apart from everyone else. You would see me wearing the designs/clothes I made, and I stayed away from fitting in with the crowd. My mom used to call me a “Rebel”, but I loved the word “Eccentric” better. Creating my own true self has been interesting and until this day I won’t ever change any characteristics about myself. I still enjoy fashion design, cycling with my daughter, art in every form, meeting new people and FOOD!

Contact Info:

• Email: EmiliaCEO@Eccentric-Love.com or ShotsByEmilia@gmail.com
• Website: www.Eccentric-Love.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mspurplekisses | https://instagram.com/eccentric_eats | https://www.instagram.com/shotsbyemilia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emilia.S.Robertson https://m.facebook.com/EccentricEats/ | https://m.facebook.com/shotsbyemilia

Image Credits
Ade Tokunbo
Melvin Bond
Ciara
Taio