Erika Goodwin, a Petworth resident and a native Washingtonian, founded Creations by EME after sewing cloth masks for friends and family at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She initially made masks to help cover her family and to keep them safe from the epidemic. She then started to make masks for her friends and extended family, to make sure that they were safe. Friends started to make large requests that never abated, and she realized that her hobby could become monetized and help fund her retirement.