Meet Ashawna Lane | Business Consultant & Mentor

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

Hi Ashawna, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most important decision I’ve made that contributes to my success is that I choose to believe in myself. I believe that whether I fail or succeed, I’m a winner because I tried. It’s important because when you believe you’ll fail, you’ll fail and the opposite is true for success. Be it, believe it, become it. We are what we think.

What should our readers know about your business?
I run a consulting company where I assist aspiring entrepreneurs with starting their own businesses. I help them start legal entities within their respective states along with providing access to funding and affordable marketing resources.

What sets my business apart from others is that I’ve actually gone through all the steps that I teach. The trials, the setbacks, the learning curves- I’ve experienced all of it so I’m better equipped at helping others navigate through the hiccups. I’m not just some person who woke up one day and said I want to do this, I actually lived it so I know what to do, what not to do, what to look out for and what to focus on.

I’m most proud and excited about where I started vs. where I am today. This all started with me quitting my job, relocating to another state and believing in myself enough to make it on my own. I know a lot of people would be afraid to let go and do what I did so it makes me proud that I not only had the courage, but also the willpower to make it happen.

I got to where I am today by simply going for it. I put doubt and the fear of failure out of my mind. I didn’t focus on whether or not I’d lose or not accomplish my goals, I focused on just doing it and at the bare minimum, learning something new along the way.

It hasn’t been easy but I don’t believe anything in life ever is.

I overcame the challenges I faced by putting it in my mind that there was no going back. No going back to my old life, my old job, my old surroundings. It was no longer an option for me to go backwards, so the biggest challenge has been focusing on moving forward. Forgetting what I used to know and do– and moving ahead with a new mindset, new expectations and a new life.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned have to do with growth and obedience. I’ve grown because I listened and took heed to what I wanted out of life. I prayed for a certain type of life and then listened to God when I was instructed on how to go about achieving it. I’ve learned how to pray more intentionally and with purpose. I learned that what I want, wants me back and all I have to do is listen to God when he guides my steps to go get it.

I want the world to know that if I can do it, anyone can. I came from a very dark place where there was no light at the end of the tunnel, but instead of crying about it and just accepting it as is- I dug myself out until I found a light. I made my own light! I became the light and found my way and now I’m sharing that light with the hope of helping someone else dig their way out of the darkness. I want people to know that it’s never too late to chase a dream, a goal or the life they want. There are no secrets or hidden passages to figuring out life. There is only getting up and creating it.

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?
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta, I would first take them out to eat at a really nice restaurant where we could talk and get caught up on life. After that we’d likely go shopping and then just hang out in some really scenic places and take pictures.

Some of the most fun and interesting places to me so far have been the many museums and black owned establishments that Atlanta has to offer. They’re motivating and inspiring in their own ways and I always encourage people to get around things that inspire them. Some of the most exciting things to check out would be all the different content locations. Places where you can go and get some really unique, one of a kind photos: the trap house museum, the culture experience ATL, the black hair experience and so many more. Not to mention all the black history in Atlanta, the colleges, the Martin Luther King birth house, the Apex museum, the Tubman museum and the list goes on and on.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A very dear friend of mine has played a huge part in assisting me with becoming who I am today. Their belief, their encouragement, their love and support are why I am the way I am today. Also the book “daily affirmations: words of wisdom” by Rev. Run also had a huge impact on how I view and live my life on a daily basis.

Website: www.AshawnaLane.com

Instagram: @AshawnaLane

Facebook: @AshawnaLane

Other: I run a solo female travel blog that you can subscribe to at: www.IntheTravelLane.com I share travel tips for solo female travelers along with recommendations on where to stay, how to be safe, how to save money and so much more!

Image Credits
Image credits go to @AmeliaDesign1