Emerson Taymor has worn many hats: designer, founder, investor, and entrepreneur exploring the intersection of design, product, and AI. In this episode, Emerson reflects on his path from scrappy freelance gigs in high school to co-founding the agency Philosophy, which grew into a 50-person consultancy before being acquired. He shares honest lessons from the trenches, including the grind of building momentum, the sting of layoffs, and the challenge of keeping quality high as you scale. Emerson also opens up about the power of partnership, the magic of foosball-fueled conflict resolution, and how staying resilient and curious has helped him navigate every pivot. From helping early-stage startups find traction to crafting toolkits that build trust in AI-powered products, his story is packed with practical wisdom. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned leader, Emerson’s perspective on experimentation, momentum, and making space for chance encounters offers a refreshing take on career growth in a rapidly changing world.
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