glo GIRL

Age: 16

By Stacie Ball |

Photo by Leaha Meinika

December 2022’s Junior Achievement Young Entrepreneur of the Month

Madison Gerber has painted a picture of accomplishment. Unable to socialize and participate in many hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic, she happened upon watercolors. She has embraced this new skill and is learning all she can about it. Her newfound passion inspired a noteworthy online business that has become a blessing not only to her but to all who experience her art, as well.

In 2019, Madison picked up her sister’s set of watercolors (with permission) and started experimenting. This newfound passion awakened her muse and lit a spark of creativity that had her painting every canvas she could get her hands on. She began watching YouTube videos to learn watercolor techniques and gain inspiration for her designs and creations. After amassing a collection of paintings, her mom gave her an idea.

“I had been water coloring for about six months, and my mom suggested that I start trying to sell a few things,” she remembered. “I decided to start my business during the quarantine of COVID-19.”

Madison named her online business based on her first two initials, M and L. “When you spell out the letters of those initials, you get Emme Elle,” she explained. She started selling greeting cards through her new venture, Emme Elle Designs, and they were a hit! Since people could not visit face to face, they embraced the ability to communicate through her beautifully painted greeting cards. Now she sells faceless portraits, florals with quotes or Bible verses, custom Bibles, invitations, calendars, and gift tags. She is always looking for more ideas for her art.

Life is not all brushes and watercolors for Madison. Besides school, she pursues many other activities like her youth group, choir, Sunshine Society, student council, and 4-H. Another passion of hers is track and cross-country, where she excelled this year.

“One of my proudest moments is when I led our cross-country team to semi-state this past year,” she stated proudly. “Our team hadn’t been to semi-state ever in school history, so it was an exciting thing for us to be able to go!”

Madison has worked hard to make her success happen, and she knows that one way to get everything accomplished is through planning and organization. “I manage my business, sports, and my social life by planning what needs to be done throughout the week,” she described. “I always try to get my homework and orders done first, then make time to relax and spend time with people.”

Madison’s creativity, determination, and perseverance helped her to make the best of a unique situation. In the future, she plans to continue growing Emme Elle Designs and connect with more people. She is open to customizing projects and making new designs for customers.

Check out and order her designs on Instagram @Emme.Elle.Design. There are even reels where she shares water coloring tips and behindthe-scenes glimpses of her work! a