Her childhood dream was simple: to build a place with vaulted ceilings and soft light, where guests could sit down, take a breath, and just be. A place that supported couples through one of the biggest adventures of their lives — stress-free, welcoming, and exceptional from beginning to end.

That dream became reality in 2019, when Erin designed and built Little Lights on the Lane, a modern, Scandinavian-inspired venue in Iowa. She worked hand-in-hand with architects, builders, and craftspeople to bring it to life, blending form and function into a space that felt both timeless and deeply personal.

Then came the real lessons — running the business, building the team, creating systems, and navigating the unknowns of 2020. Through the challenges of launching a venue during a global pandemic, Erin discovered the truth: success wasn’t just about beautiful design. It was about creating multiple streams of revenue, building a strong brand, and fostering genuine connection.

Today, Little Lights hosts more than 60 weddings & events each year, manages its own in-house bar, and offers coordination services to nearly half of its couples — a model of sustainability and success that has inspired venues nationwide.

Alongside coaching friend Kristin Binford, we began sharing what we learned with other owners — guiding them through the building process, helping them avoid costly missteps, and teaching them how to create venues that thrive.

That’s how Kindling & Crew was born.

We’re not architects or contractors — we’re the team that fills the space in between. We collaborate with your architect and engineer, help shape your vision, refine your floor plans, and build the brand, design, and systems that make your venue work beautifully.

What started as one woman’s dream has grown into a team of creatives — designers, strategists, and venue owners — who know what it takes to bring a space to life and keep it burning bright.

We’ve walked this path, and now we walk it with you.

– Erin and the Kindling & Crew Team