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

Hi Ashantye, what do you attribute your success to?
Honestly speaking, there are many factors that played major parts in my success journey. Factors such as: “MY” personal determination, perseverance, confidence, authenticity, and discipline are mountain movers and vital to the continued success of my brand.

Yet, the fact that “I DIDN’T GIVE UP” is the MOST important.

Getting up everyday; challenging and motivating myself with affirmations; pre-planning and developmental structure are vital to the growth and expansion of my brand.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of five successful companies. Bella-Me Contour & Home of Total Wellness Studios
BellaLuxe Spa and Beauty Salon
BellaLuxe Beauty Ink and Tattoo
The Bella Academy
Mills Tax Prep and Professional Services

What set me apart from others is the full experience when influencing my consumers. We seek to be transparent, authentic, provide high a high quality experience; take advantage of every opportunity impressing our customer by going over and beyond to help each customer, and provide them a hassle free gateway into the word “yes.”

Was it easy? Can I curse here… H*** No… If not, Heck No. Not at all…

Entrepreneurship isn’t for the weak at heart. I overcame challenges by learning to accept “EACH” season of my journey. With each season came researching myself and company. It also allowed me to utilize my degrees and remain humble at all times. This profession will sharpen, polish, and shape you to be the best or submerge you with the average.

Along the way I learned to “BE ME.” Humble beginnings keeps me hungry. I’ve learned to not compare my chapter to anyone else’s. We all see the presentation or product of individual’s hard work but we don’t always witness or acknowledge their preparation (hard work). It takes time to master your craft but you have to do the work.

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?
My best friend coming into the city I would definitely set her up for an amazing experience. We would book her week long stay at any Autograph Collection Hotel. The first day I would allow her to rest and just hit up an amazing restaurant. You can never go wrong at the “Cheesecake Factory.”

The first full day I would treat her to a full spa day (facials, massages, manicures and pedicure,) the works…

We would do brunch and check out the “Atlanta Beltline.”

We would then head back in and plan nightline…

Live music is always great

The next day depending on the time of year; we visit any festivals or carnivals

The middle of the week would consist of shopping and visiting boutiques

Towards the end of the week would would pay our respect to our culture by visiting historic museums, college campuses, and aquariums

Night life would be the infamous “Cascade Skating”

Saturday Brunch more shopping

Sunday Church and then she leaves until 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?
Life itself deserves “ALL” the credit in regards to my success. When I say life, I say it with grace and serenity. I grew up extremely disadvantaged. I’m the 3rd of 10 kids. My mother was limited due to drug addiction and did the best she could. My father was absent from the time of birth.

My two older brothers were my saving grace (Nathaniel and Mario Jones) . They thought me how to be accountable; responsible; and how not to look at our situation as pity or charity but as energy. At the at moment; I set out not to change to world but impact it.

My parental figures were my maternal grandparents and my stepfather. They were older and that experience instill in me valuable skills that only products of that “era” could provide. My grandparents were entrepreneurs and I saw what “grinding” was all about. My step-father was in city government so I saw what corporate structure was…

Website: www.bellamecontour.com

Instagram: www.instagrsam.com/Bellamecontour

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/Bellamecontour

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bellamecontour

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebonaireMills www.facebook.com/Bellamecontour

Youtube: Bellamecontour

Image Credits
Christopher Shumphard Photography

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.