Meet Ashleigh Montford: Head Creative Consultant

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

Hi Ashleigh, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I think it’s so interesting how this question always seems to come about! My parents owned a couple of businesses when I was growing up and they are still entrepreneurs to this day. To be honest, that’s the only life I ever really knew, however, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized that I was more than unconventional and wanted to really work for myself. In undergrad at Savannah State University, I was a Journalism and Mass Communications major, minoring in English, and also took some courses in Business Management. To be honest, I knew that I had a lot of passions and that there was not one field in particular that I knew I would be happy in for the rest of my life. So why not create a firm that encompasses all of my passions, right?! So acknowledging that I am a creative and further examining how to run a successful business, I started The Opia Designs Company, LLC. Not only does Opia do web development, but Opia also caters to Black-owned businesses that need marketing, graphic design, photography, videography, content development, social media management, and more! Designing Opia to cater to the needs of others while fueling my passions seemed like a no-brainer to me, but I’m still growing and evolving every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My proudest moment to this day in relation to my business is graduating with my Bachelor’s degree from Savannah State. Attending an HBCU gave me many of the foundational elements that make me who I am today. Not only was I able to network while attending SSU, but I was able to embark into a professional atmosphere that gave me the edge in which I possess in my professional realm. Without SSU, I would not be where I am professionally. It was not without challenge that Opia was started, and there are still obstacles to establishing a budding business. Living with a chronic illness isn’t the easiest task and it can make times a little taxing, however with the right tools and planning anything is possible. If we’re being honest and transparent, there are still lessons being learned, such as time management, work-life balance, and holding myself accountable. I named these three areas because they all tie in together and I know that with time and practice, I will conquer them all. If there was one thing that I wanted the world to know about my story it would be that — I am a conqueror. There have been obstacles, for sure, but those instances will not stop me. With God, anything is possible.

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?
O’Charleys! We are going there first, for the bread of course! The Oil Bar in Cumberland Mall! Definitely visit the bookstore at Emory, and take a walk around Spelman, Clark Atlanta, and Morehouse! Walk around downtown near the Ferris Wheel with cameras and get food! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My support team, “Ashleigh’s Tribe,” is everything to me. Not only does it consist of my mentors, but it is comprised of my closest friends. My Tribe comes through for me when I am in need of advice, a helping hand, a listening ear, or even backstage help at a pageant! I’d like to thank them for everything, and for always being there for me, loving me, singing out loud at the top of our lungs, and never ever giving up on me. Also, my parents. I appreciate them for instilling the hustler mentality and entrepreneur mindset within me, and always pushing me forward. Thank you to everyone who has ever motivated, inspired, believed in, and acknowledged my potential.

Website: https://www.ashleighmontford.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernday.monarch/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-montford-5a6b7a74/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpiaDesignsLLC

Other: https://www.opiadesignscompany.com

Image Credits
Trinity Grimes, Antoinne Duane Jones