Jala Smith-Huys: Owner
Social Media Strategist | Digital Relationship Cultivator | Creative Entrepreneur
In 1999 Jala teamed up, as Creative Director, with 11 people to build New Seasons Market, Portland’s locally owned and operated natural and specialty foods grocery store. New Seasons grew to nine stores by the time she moved on to launch (the first iteration of) Embark Creative in 2008. Embark provided functional graphic design services to start-ups, non-profits, food brands, companies leading the way in sustainable initiatives and product development, Fortune 500s and more.
Through Embark’s first few years, Jala dove into social media slow and steady, but like any true romance, fate took over and it became apparent that social was a natural fit. The latest iteration of Embark Creative launched in August of 2011, focusing solely on social media strategy and consulting. The work she does is a natural collaboration of all the things she’s passionate about — creativity, innovation, forward thinking, digital solutions, and relationship building.
Jala lives in Portland, Oregon. She likes to travel, eat Thai food, play on Pinterest, hang out with creative people and digital geeks, lay in the grass at outdoor concerts, and cultivate relationships.