We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Akins and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
During the Covid-19 pandemic I started collecting enamel pins for fun. I discovered other Black creatives over time with the same interest and began falling in love with the different designs and details of each one I came across. Over time I would look for something particular from my childhood and realized “Hey that pin doesn’t exist.” I would get upset and hoped someone else would create it until one day I asked myself, “Why don’t you make it?” I knew I wanted to incorporate 90’s and 00’s nostalgia, sprinkled with some Black Girl Magic, but overall things that represented me. From there The Nostalgic Place was born and the rest is history. I’ve even added a candle line called Saturday Morning Cartoons that currently includes candles and wax melts that smell like Fruity Pebbles. I plan on trying my hand at apparel and doing some collabs in the near future so stay tuned.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
How many people do you know that make enamel pins? I’m usually met with confusion when I’m asked “what’s an enamel pin? You mean like metal? Is it for your teeth? Oh you must mean the croc charms!” Initially I have to physically show my product so they can have a better understanding and then it clicks for them. This journey has been like a roller coaster, exciting, scary, but always worth it at the end of the day. Mainly because funding your dreams is always a challenge, especially when others don’t understand it completely. But it just leaves room for more creativity to flow to get what’s needed done. It can be a lot at times but never impossible when you have a good support system. It makes me excited that I’m able to make people happy from a memory they may have forgotten about. This is definitely the generation where we’re reminiscing on the 99’s and 00’s. At the end of the day if I’m making someone else smile, then I know I’ve done my job.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I still don’t have any favorite spots as of yet but ideally we’d definitely have to eat at Slutty Vegan! I don’t know why it’s so addicting but I am not complaining. From there we’d hit up the Culture Experience because what’s a trip without engaging in some nostalgia? The photos alone would be dope! After a nice nap the Splatter Studio for some fun with paint. Area 4 for karaoke, food and drinks. And on Friday the High Museum for High Frequency Friday’s. Gotta take in the full experience. Did I mention the naps that’ll be taken in between? lol
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I have to start by thanking God for making all of this possible. What started as a hobby, then a dream, and eventually a business will forever amaze me. I never pictured myself as a business woman but clearly there were other plans in place for me. My family and friends for always encouraging and assisting me, no matter if it’s dropping off a last minute order to the post office, helping working events, taking pictures to help promote or telling a friend where they got their pin and candle from. The love is felt and never goes unnoticed. To the other Black pin makers that are always there to give advice and guidance, thank you for everything because the encouragement is always needed and appreciated. We’re in this together and I wouldn’t have made it this far without that support. And anyone else that’s always rooting for me. This one’s for us!
Website: https://thenostalgicplace.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thenostalgicplace/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063633077973
Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_thenostalgicplace
Image Credits
Nathan Gayle