We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Upshaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
If you would have asked me 2 years ago if I wanted to be an entrepreneur, I would have said no! Owning my own business never appealed to me until I tapped in to my creative. I’ve always been artistic and creative since I was a child, but it was always looked at as a random act. It wasn’t until Mother’s Day of 2021, during the pandemic, when I tapped in to my talent and realized that I could do much more with it. I decided to do an intimate picnic for my mother at my home, since we were still social distancing and staying out of public places. It wasn’t just a normal picnic with a table, benches, and food. I added extra to it by styling the area with a table-scape, adding a floral centerpiece, exchanging chairs for floor cushions, and making sure everything was aesthetically pleasing with delicious food. My mom’s reaction to everything was priceless, and that’s when I decided to turn luxury picnics into a business. However, Luxury Looks by Ashley is actually two businesses in one! Aside from creating luxury picnic experiences, I also provide home interior decorating services for residential and commercial properties like AirBnbs. I became a first time homebuyer in 2020, and I was immediately enraptured with decorating, so much so, I fell in love with it. I started receiving many compliments on the interior of my home from guests, and some asked if I could beautify their space as well. That is when I decided to officially offer those services as a part of my business plan in 2021!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am very career-driven. Even though my business incorporates passion with hustle, my full-time career is in education. I’ve been an educator going on 11 years, and I currently serve as a Reading Interventionist at the school I work for! I have a Master’s degree in Reading along with several certifications. When I am not teaching, or working on my business, I am coaching young ladies as the Head Varsity Football Cheerleading Coach. Go Eagles! I am most proud of the mark I left on the students I’ve encountered, taught, or coached in the past. It will always be about them and making sure I set an example for them to become leaders in their own way. As a many hat wearer, I am passionate, creative, all-in, ambitious, and goal-driven. This is not the end for me in any of these capacities, I am on a voyage to success, leaving a mark, and loving the journey it’s taking me on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I am a native and current resident of Atlanta, there are tons of things to do here! It really just depends on the vibe you’re going for. We could go to brunch at The Real Milk and Honey in historic College Park, or grab a quick bite to eat at one of the many wing spots. Want to grab a drink and tacos? Bar Taco is one of my favorites. We could go people watching, bike riding, or day drinking on the Beltline. I always incorporate some type of history anywhere I go, so we would definitely hit up Auburn Avenue to visit the historic neighborhood. A fun outing we would do is go to a sporting event, like watching the Braves play at Truist Park or going to an Atlanta United game, they always have the livest games.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my friends, family, my amazing clients and anyone who has ever referred me to a friend! I truly appreciate the business talks with family, support given by my friends, and the trust shared with my clients for letting me create these wonderful experiences with them!

Website: www.luxurylooksbyashley.com

Instagram: @luxurylooksbyashley

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