Located at 3904 Farnam, Pulp Boutique (www.pulpboutiqueomaha.com) recently opened for business in May.  Pulp offers a sophisticated and stylish selection of specialty ink and paper products, gifts, art and textiles, decor, jewelry and sundries.  Erin Luong is the owner of Pulp.

Tell us a little about your business. – Pulp is a paperie and gift boutique located in Omaha’s Blackstone District. Our main focus is providing stylish and modern products that are made in the USA using sustainable methods.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The last couple of years have been the biggest challenge for me, both personally and professionally. There’s too much to go into detail here, but even though there were some extremely tough times it ultimately provided the opportunity to be where I am today.

Tell us a little about your family. – I have two amazing boys, ages 6 and 9.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I began working on the business plan for Pulp last summer. I decided to take a chance on investing my time and energy in myself and my future to create the sort of business that can effect real change in the world to make it a better place.

What are you the most proud of? – My two boys. They are wonderful, intelligent, caring, and funny. I am so proud to see the young men they are becoming.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Our minds have a tremendous ability to acquire new knowledge. We can develop the traits and characteristics we admire and seek with dedication and desire.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Compassionate.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Elastic Heart” by Sia.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Flight.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I’m fortunate that by becoming an entrepreneur, I am able to utilize my talents I’ve gained via my studies and work in journalism, art, design, marketing, social activism, etc.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – inCOMMON Community Development, also known as CommonGood (incommoncd.org), is a new favorite that I’ve recently found out about through their work with the Blackstone District. I believe building stronger communities alleviates many of the social and political problems our nation is currently facing.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – That’s a hard one, because I love immersing myself in a good read and usually have several books in progress at a time. I am currently reading five books on a variety of subjects. For business: Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill; for pleasure: “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz and “Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn. For personal development: “Insight Meditation” by Joseph Goldstein.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – It’s hard to choose, but I have to go with Mark’s and Dario’s Brasserie/Avoli. I live in Dundee and admire the hard work, excellent cuisine and warm personalities of Dario and Mark.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Edna St. Vincent Millay.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call Pulp at (402) 905-2466, visit our website at www.pulpboutiqueomaha.com, or find us on Facebook!