In the Trenches with Erin Mishkin: Turning Projects into True Collaborations
Author’s Note: In the Trenches is our series that introduces you to the people behind The Good Lemon. Each piece offers a closer look at how our team members think, what drives their work, and how their experiences shape the way we partner with clients.
When strategist Erin Mishkin joined The Good Lemon, her daughter was just four months old. Nearly a decade later, she’s seen the team grow from a few people on small projects to an agency supporting a roster of clients who are driving real impact.
“I started when my daughter was four months old, and she’s nine and a half now. Seeing how far TGL has grown…is incredible.”
Erin’s path to TGL also says a lot about the kind of team we are. It wasn't about perfect resumes or formalities. It was about shared values from the start.
“I got connected to TGL Founder Katie through partner RocketKoi. In our first call, I told her I had a newborn and very limited availability. She just goes, ‘Oh, that’s okay, we love working with moms because you know how to multitask.’ And that was before she was a mom herself!”
Today, Erin is a Digital Marketing Manager at TGL specializing in social media content creation for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, helping her clients strengthen their digital presence.
With more than 20 years of experience in communications under her belt Erin brings a wealth of insight and expertise to our team. Here, she shares the principles that guide her work and the values she brings to her role at TGL.
Empathy at the Core
For Erin, empathy is the personality trait that defines her as a person. And in her career? It’s her professional compass. Her ability to put herself in others’ shoes shapes not only how she collaborates with teammates but also how she approaches every client relationship.
“I’ve always been an empathetic person, always cared about people’s feelings. Working at a mission-driven place isn’t about making money, it’s about helping people.”
- Erin Mishkin
That belief extends to everyone Erin works with. From a young age, her father instilled in her and her sister the importance of treating everyone with equal respect, regardless of their title or role. It’s a principle she carries into her work and hopes to teach her daughter as well. Shaping the way she interacts with clients, colleagues, and partners alike.
Building Trust, Not Transactions
One of Erin’s trademarks is the ease with which she builds genuine trust. From kickoff calls to project closeouts, she makes sure clients feel supported and understood—not like just another project on the list, but like true partners working toward a shared mission.
“Having a warm, personally inviting tone sets the stage for your work together with a client. It instantly builds trust. We’re an extension of your team, not an outsider coming in.”
Balance and Support
Nearly ten years in at TGL, Erin knows that boundaries make better work. She’s learned that constant availability doesn’t equate to better outcomes; in fact, it can create unnecessary stress for both clients and staff.
“We can be online all the time, which is not necessarily good for us or our clients. Not everything is urgent. Having healthy boundaries in place is important. It makes the work better.”
That balance is possible thanks to the team culture. The environment at The Good Lemon reinforces the idea that people do their best work when they feel supported, and Erin agrees:
“Feeling supported in my work is something my team does a fantastic job of. It’s important to feel heard and seen, and The Good Lemon is a great atmosphere for that.”
Integrity and Grit
When Erin reflects on her time at TGL, she points to the values that resonate with her and with the clients she serves.
“Integrity and grit are two words I would use to describe The Good Lemon. TGL cares about the quality of our work, the responsiveness of our team, and not settling for less than 110%. We’re not going to half-ass anything.”
For Erin, that unwavering commitment to quality is about client success. She says that the real measure of impact isn’t just a deliverable—it’s seeing an organization thrive after the work is done.
“We want our clients to succeed, and if that means they’ve got it covered after we’ve completed a project, great.”
Why This Work Matters
Both as a strategist and as a mom, Erin sees the impact of contributing to mission-driven work every day. Her personal and professional lives are deeply connected, and the projects she leads are part of the legacy she hopes to leave for her daughter.
“As a mom, I want the world to be a better place for my child in the future, and I think the work we’re doing here at TGL is contributing to that.”
Interested In Working with Erin?
Looking for a calm, measured, and responsive addition to your team? Get in touch with The Good Lemon to work with Erin.