We had the good fortune of connecting with Asha The Brand and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Asha, how does your business help the community?
As a brand, the impact that I have on my community is a top area of responsibility. Over the past decade, I have dedicated countless hours to supporting local, new business owners by hosting vendor focused events and directing business training.
My events focus on the foundational principles of collaborative efforts, supporting local, shopping small and bringing “next level” vendor events to the inner-city. Many new entrepreneurs were attracted to join and showcase their product, talent or service because we also offered assistance with obtaining proper licenses and permits to conduct business within the hosting city.
On the training and development side, the goal is to instill high levels of professionalism within each person I reached. One of the valuable lessons I coach on is properly advertising your store. Whether in person or online; to be welcoming, professional and organized (aesthetically and in general). I believe strongly in the Customer Centric approach in business where each customer should have their own individualized experience. Our communities, particularly more poverty-stricken areas, tend to lack this level of service. This is exactly one of the core pillars that my business offers.
I advocate deeply for community. Furthermore, my relationship with local City Officials proves my dedication and the value that my brand has within local areas. I am often asked to partner, sit on boards and committees, and am not only considered a resource, but a voice with decision making in my areas of expertise.
Two words to describe my journey as it relates to community: Intentional. Impactful.
What should our readers know about your business?
Starting a business and building a brand is never easy. Although it should be fluid. It should feel like the struggles and obstacles you face during the growth process are simply part of the process. My journey was natural and honestly evolved with minimal effort, lots of work involved as my brand grew, but it happened organically.
In the beginning, I started hosting networking mixers in my back yard as a fun way to get my circle together to showcase their business or talent. Within a couple of mixers, the number of people I had showing up outgrew my residence. The next step was to go bigger and stronger, and it happened. The spin-off is now panel discussions that dig deeper into business related topics and still allow my circle and growing network to platform their business.
It hasn’t been an easy journey because of all the moving parts associated with planning. It is tiring. Fulfilling, but moments of exhaustion creep in. I’ve attempted to retire several times over the years but am constantly reminded by others of why I can’t stop. And I must admit, after hosting and I look back on the pictures, videos, testimonials and hear the feedback and life-changing jewels and interactions people experience, I agree. I can’t stop.
One of the lessons I’ve learned while establishing myself and my brand was to relax. To not overthink every aspect of everything but instead, take the time to master each level of the task and then move on from there. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Wedding planning taught me some of the most valuable lessons and enhanced my skillset at adapting to last minute changes while still executing the desired finished product for my client, effortlessly. No sweat, no tears.
That would be one of the lasting impressions I want people to know about Asha the Brand. She handled it all and made it look easy.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am known to be an absolute foodie who knows where and how to have a good time! From LAX, me and my bestie would go straight to Koreatown. I would already have spa reservations at WiSpa and a late lunch planned at the Openaire. We would probably spend a night or two at the Line Hotel, do some shopping downtown LA and hang near LA Live. Fixins Soul Food and Lucky Strike are always a good time.
After the downtown vibes, we would pack up and go to the Laguna Beach area. There are so many shops and places to brunch. One of my favorites is Splashes during the daytime for the view and ambiance. For dinner, we would go to Mozambique and enjoy some live music and some of the best seafood.
If we stay at Surf and Sand, we would spend a full day at the resort relaxing poolside and maybe indulge in a facial. For the final days, we would go back to the Los Angeles area and check out some local museums and art galleries. We love spoken word and maybe even check out a cool speakeasy. Throughout the trip, we would visit some local businesses like Shades of Afrika in Long Beach and some good food trucks and of course, can’t spend time downtown LA without a bacon wrapped hot dog!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We all must recognize that we do not achieve greatness in this life alone. My Shoutout goes to everyone who supports my vision. In recent years, I started a series of Panel Discussions. To celebrate and promote each panel, I selected a color that correlates to the panel topic. I celebrate this with a photo shoot and some networking. The very first vision was woman inspired, with the color red. The ladies showed up to a rooftop photo shoot, during COVID in 90-degree weather. The second shoot was money inspired and therefore the color green and the attendees came out to the park in the middle of a storm, literally. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and never overlooked. As a result, I have beautiful memories (and so do they!) and an entire catalog to promote my future events and panels.
My family is extremely supportive, and I would not have the ability or flexibility to live out my dream if it were not for them. Love, infinite. Deep.
I give thanks to God for blessing me with the gift of leadership and passion for to see people not only live, but to enjoy life abundantly. I get to serve in the most fulfilling way and at the same time, enjoy every step while walking in my purpose.
“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well”- There are many people who do what I do. But they are not me and I am not them. Nobody can do what I do, the way that I do it. I practice and study my craft, daily and that is what leads to my success.
Website: www.ashathebrand.com
Instagram: @asha_2_fierce
Facebook: Asha The Brand
Youtube: Asha The Brand
Image Credits
Jamarro Mercer