Meet Ashley Bell | Creative at itsbellmade

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always loved hosting, the art of homemaking, cooking, and capturing life’s moments. I still remember the first time I made a full dinner for my mom when I was 11—it was a recipe from the side of a Campbell’s soup can. These passions, along with my love for life in general, inspired me to take a leap and share my journey.

I realized I didn’t often see women like myself in this space, and I wanted to tell a different story: life doesn’t have to look one way. Joy and a life well-lived come in all shapes and sizes. I also found myself asking, *“What happened to celebrating the middle class or even upper-middle class? What happened to being regular?”* Around the same time, I read yet another article about the booming creator economy, and that’s when I decided to just go for it.

Well, I didn’t *just* go for it—I wanted to do it my way. I took a course with a popular creator and hired a videographer to help me launch. It’s been a few years now, and while I haven’t grown as much as I’d hoped, I keep going because I believe in myself and the story I want to tell.

Life is a journey, and I’m here to share mine with authenticity and heart.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My mom had me when she was just 20 years old. I promise this is going somewhere. By the time I was six or seven, we were moving to Roseville, California—a move paid for and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. My mom raised me all by herself, accomplishing so much along the way. She put herself through college as a single mom in a place where she literally had no one.

And how did I repay her? By dropping out of high school. But eventually, I got my act together.

Fast forward, and of course, I ended up in tech. My first corporate job was at AT&T, and fresh out of undergrad, I had a skip-level meeting with my boss’s boss’s boss. I was so excited to discuss what had happened with the FCC blocking AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile and to express my interest in M&A. But her response stuck with me. She said smugly, *“Some of the smartest people are in those rooms.”* I remember feeling small and taken aback, but it also lit a fire in me.

After being laid off from AT&T, I ended up at HPE. I left HPE after just five months to walk across the street to Fiserv. Those years were tough—I endured workplace bullying and countless challenges—but they eventually led me to M&A. None of this journey has been easy or perfect, but it’s been worth it.

Today, I work in corporate development for one of the biggest tech companies in the world, specializing in M&A. In fact, we have one of the most successful M&A programs in the industry.

I’m really proud of myself. I was a latchkey kid, raised by a single Black mom, and a high school dropout. Now, I work in a field that’s notoriously difficult to break into, despite being told at every step that I didn’t belong or that I wasn’t deserving. But I take up space anyway.

I’m proud of the love I give to the world. I’m proud that I’ve built a successful career and a life I love. I’m proud of how much opportunity and growth still lies ahead of me. I’ve gone after almost everything I’ve set my mind and heart to. I’ve lived so many lives in this short lifetime, and I know there are so many more yet to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, wow—that’s a big question! Here’s how I’d plan the perfect itinerary:
I’d start with a visit to the BeltLine and then head to the World of Coca-Cola—I’m a total Coca-Cola girlie. I even get annoyed when I go to a place that only serves Pepsi products—honestly, it feels like blasphemy. For the evening, I’d plan a visit to the Botanical Garden, and the next day, we’d enjoy a picnic at Piedmont Park. I love making a signature cocktail, grabbing sandwiches from Publix, and just relaxing on blankets all day.

It might be cliché, but I’d also take them to Buckhead Village District for some shopping, cocktails, and great food—there are so many fun spots to hop around. For nightlife, I’d wrap things up with a show at District. I’m an EDM girlie through and through, and it’s always such a vibe.

Honestly, I’m not clued in on *all* the trendy spots, but I’d stick to the places I know and love. I think that’s what makes it special—sharing experiences that feel like home to me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been so many influential people in my life.

Dr. Anne Rosenthal, one of my professors at Oglethorpe University, silently fought for me to have the opportunity to study abroad—a life-changing experience I’ll never forget. Dr. Lee Cohen and his wife, Deborah Cohen, took a chance on me and gave me my first real job, setting me on the path to where I am today. Pat Ryan finally gave me my shot at M&A work, which ultimately shaped my career in mergers and acquisitions.

And, of course, my mom—she has always believed in me, convinced that I’m capable of anything. She has instilled in me the belief that I should do whatever I set my mind to, even when I’m scared—especially when I’m scared.

Lastly, my husband, who reminds me every day with his simple yet profound words: “You’re worth it.”

Each of these people has shaped my journey, and I am deeply grateful for their belief in me and their unwavering support.

Website: https://www.itsbellmade.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsbellmade

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-bell-mba-3637329

Image Credits
Jorge Sandoval
Elena Paris Photo