It’s back! One of my favorite series I ever did was my interview spotlight of female entrepreneurs and so I couldn’t help but bring it back! To kick it off I chatted with one fun and sassy lady, Ashley Brooke of Ashley Brooke Designs!
SM: What was your job before ABD and how did you know it was time to venture out on your own?
AB: My first “big girl job” out of college was working as a junior designer at a fancy Interior Design firm… but that didn’t last too long! Ha!
Honestly, it was an idea that was birthed out of necessity. I was laid off from my interior design job when the market crashed and just decided that I needed to do something and do something fast. No one was hiring for ANYTHING, so I decided to do my best to take control of the situation and start something. I put all my skills together with the resources I had, and Ashley Brooke Designs was born. It’s been pretty crazy.
My family is amazing, and lucky for me I grew up with parents who were and are still today successful, creative entrepreneurs. My parents run a high-end photography company, so I pretty much grew up in their studio playing with old negatives and watercolors… so I guess you could say I was destined to be some sort of entrepreneur–I didn’t really know there was any other option.
SM: What does a typical day look like for you?
AB: Oh gosh, it changes a bit everyday but the normal day usually looks like this:
Spin Class from 5:45 a.m. – 7 a.m.
House Chores, taking Lucy for a walk, and getting ready 7-8:30ish
I sit down to do my daily devotions and journal around 9ish
…And around 10 we start! We have our morning conference calls around 1o o’clock every morning and depending on what we talk about in that call really roadmaps the rest of my day! I then work on e-mail, social media, and blogs and spend the rest of the day working on projects!
SM: Where do you get your inspiration?
AB: Truly? My everyday life. My life in general is a bit crazy, and so the sassiness and the touch of girly-snark just comes out and I will realize, “Gosh! That would be cute on a mug!” Also, I have stopped designing for what I think my clients might like and I’ve started designing for myself and things that I need… like a Happy Thoughts notepad!
SM: Walk me through the design process that you go through for creating a new product.
I do have the best job in the world because my ABD girls help me out A TON! Every few months we all get together to brainstorm ideas and we sit on the couch and giggle until we come up with something good! It’s THE best!
SM: What is next for ABD? Where do you see it in 5 years?
AB: Oh wow! Well, a lady does not spill her secrets! What I can tell you? The next few years are looking very bright and very sassy!!
SM: What is your advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs?
AB: Don’t be afraid to fall flat on your face… failing isn’t always a bad thing; you are just that much closer to succeeding! Be ready to fail and fail often, and ask questions…. never be afraid to ask questions! Persistence and willing to try new things is key.
Big thanks to Ashley for taking the time to chat! Be sure to check out her adorable products here!
Want to be featured or know someone who should? Shoot me an email, samantha {at} bonjourblue {dot} com!
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