Emily Freymann, the owner of Freymann Photography & Design in East Moline, stands in front of her new business Saturday, July 13. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Emily Freymann’s dream came true Saturday morning, July 13. After years of working and planning, the Quad Cities woman opened her new business, Freymann Photography & Design, in downtown East Moline. “The Quad Cities is a big deal for me … I just love this community. That’s why I’m here,” Ms. Freymann, said just before […]
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Emily Freymann’s dream came true Saturday morning, July 13. After years of working and planning, the Quad Cities woman opened her new business, Freymann Photography & Design, in downtown East Moline. “The Quad Cities is a big deal for me … I just love this community. That’s why I’m here,” Ms. Freymann, said just before a grand opening ceremony at her at 653 15th Ave. business.
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held Saturday, July 13, for Freymann Photography & Design’s new East Moline business. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Emily Freymann, left, owner of Freymann Photography & Design in East Moline, stands next to Marcie Ordaz, executive director of the Lift Women’s Foundation, during opening ceremonies Saturday, July 13. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
An “open” banner is placed outside Freymann Photography & Design’s new business in East Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Freymann Photography & Design is now open in East Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
That ceremony, which attracted about 30 people, included a ribbon-cutting, prize give-aways, food served by Azteca 1 Mexican restaurant, and camera-shaped cookies being served to guests and more.In addition to friends and family members, the event included guests from the business community. One of those people welcoming Freymann Photography & Design to the community was Patrica Hansen, the president of the East Moline Main Street organization. She said the opening of the photography business is another step forward in downtown East Moline’s continued growth as more new businesses open.“It’s a good time to be in downtown East Moline. … This area is getting a great facelift,” she added.Another business leader welcoming Ms. Freymann and her business was Marcie Ordaz, executive director of the Lift Women’s Foundation. (That nonprofit group was established by Royal Neighbors of America in 2002. It connects women entrepreneurs to capital that they would not qualify for through traditional business lending programs in partnership with IHMVCU.)“We’ve helped so many great, small businesses in the community,” said Ms. Ordaz, adding the foundation’s micro-loans of $5,000 to $10,000 have helped several women-led businesses in the Quad Cities buy needed supplies and expand their businesses.Freymann’s Photography & Design is among those businesses that benefited from the help of Lift. Ms. Freymann said that getting financial advice and help from the organization greatly helped her business expand into a storefront.“It would have been a lot tougher without Lift. I definitely would not be here today without them,” she added.Freymann Photography & Design offers a wide range of photography services, including business headshots, family portraits, maternity shoots, boudoir sessions, engagement and wedding photography and much more. In addition to photography, Ms. Freymann also does logo and website design work.Currently, her business is pretty much a one-woman shop. She will get help from friends and colleagues in the photography business for some work. Also, if the business does well, Ms. Freymann hopes to hire employees in the future.The new downtown business, which is in a multi-tenant building and next door to River’s Edge Massage, includes these features:
Main room: This room is in the front and includes white and bright with natural light. (Windows are tinted for client privacy).
Middle room: This room is more for boudoir clients, it will have a green emerald wall with a Victorian couch with props/decor.
Dark room: This room has all the backdrops/studio lights.
In addition to the photography rooms, the space at 653 15th Ave. houses another business, Opulence Skin & Beauty, which offers beauty and personal care supplies and services. It occupies the back of the storefront. Opulence had been located at 2225 W. 53rd St., Davenport. The business also celebrated its business move to East Moline on Saturday, along with the opening of Freymann Photography.During the grand opening, Ms. Freymann encouraged other people to follow their dreams and open their own businesses. But she warns they need to be dedicated in every way to get a new business open. “You have to dedicate all your time and energy to it,” she added.Freymann’s Photography & Design shop is open by appointment Wednesdays through Sundays. Visit here to make an appointment.