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

Hi Ashley, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about art and have always aspired to turn that passion into a career. My fascination with art and its power to convey emotions and ideas has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life. As I grew up, so did my desire to translate my artistic passion into a meaningful career. The opportunity to express myself creatively and share my unique perspective with others is what drives me forward each day. Whether through visual art, design, or any other creative medium, I find immense joy in showcasing my skills and making a positive impact through my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s been quite the journey to get where I am today. Two degrees, tons of applications, countless interviews, and a whole bunch of “no’s,” plus throw in a pandemic for good measure – it’s been a rollercoaster. There were times I felt totally lost, wondering if all my hard work was just going down the drain. But now, things are finally starting to look up. Opportunities are coming my way, letting me show off what I can do and proving that hard work does pay off. One big lesson I’ve learned through all of this? Patience. It’s not always easy, but I’ve come to realize that good things don’t always happen on our schedule. We’ve got to make the most of the time we’ve got and trust that our moment will come when the time is right.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Atlanta has its perks, especially when it comes to discovering hidden gems around the city. If I were to show a friend around, I’d definitely take them to some of my favorite spots like the Balloom Museum, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and Colony Square. And of course, we’d have to kick off the day with breakfast at the Atlanta Breakfast Club, hands down my favorite spot. Later on, we’d head over to West Midtown for drinks and maybe even some live music. With so much to see and do, I doubt we’d even scratch the surface, but hey, that just means more adventures for next time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
You know, it might sound like a cliché, but my mom has always had my back in everything I do. She’s there with good advice, cheering me on, and pushing me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what hurdles come my way.

Website: AshleyMcCants.com

Instagram: @_ashleymcnx

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/ashleymccants

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.