Meet Ashley Jackson | Mom, Wife, Business Owner, Full Time Employee

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process is to make sure you’re starting a business for either one or two reasons: either you’re doing something you love, or you see a serious need in something that you’re passionate about. Don’t start a business because you see someone else doing it. What works for other people may not work for you. I always think back to the quote, ‘If you do something you love, it won’t be work.’ You have to be mentally prepared for the long nights, weekends, holidays, and the word ‘no.’ Just know that when you keep pushing and stay relevant, you will see the fruits of your labor.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Certainly! Here’s the revised version with improved punctuation and grammar:

“I’m the owner of several businesses, and one of them is Underground Market Outlet. At Underground Market Outlet, we specialize in creating affordable marketing solutions for small businesses. Our services include designing business cards, flyers, behind-the-scenes content, and reels. A fun fact: one of our clients reached an impressive 27.7 million views on a reel for which we handled both the behind-the-scenes and creation.

My husband and I run a nonprofit called Team Next Up. It’s a program for boys in 7th through 11th grade, focusing on academics, attitude, and athletics.Our season typically starts during the summer, and we travel from state to state for development and team-building activities. We have been conducting this program for three years. Additionally, we have been involved in mentorship for more than five years

Last but not least, we have our baby, Jackson’s Attractions, which has been operating for almost two years now. We offer a variety of attractions, including inflatable movie screens, large and small bounce houses, soft play, champagne walls, and more. What makes us stand out is that there’s nothing else in the area like us. With Jackson’s Attractions, we don’t just serve one-time customers. You can use our services for your child’s 3rd birthday, set up soft play, have a bounce house when they turn 13, a movie screen for graduation, and champagne walls for weddings and retirements. We have something for all ages, catering to our clients’ needs while providing exceptional customer service. For large events, we even have site attendants, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about.

I believe I got to where I am in business through networking. Some of our large contracts were secured through connections made in networking events or via our chamber of commerce. This process wasn’t easy, but I knew it had to work. There was no going back or giving up; I had to put one foot in front of the other and take one step at a time. What I’ve learned along the way is to be careful about who you share your dreams and ideas with. Some people will prey instead of pray.

I want the world to know that it’s not about how you start but how you finish. We began with just one bounce house and doing birthday parties, and now we have more attractions and are involved in events with the City!

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 you’re ever in Brunswick, GA, this is a list of places you need to stop. Mr. Shucks Seafood offers some of the best seafood in the South. Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon is legendary in our community. Check out the food truck corner on Norwich Street; you have to try Messy Buns, Robbins Nest, and Glory Mae’s. For delicious Jamaican food, visit Jerk Shak, and Don Que’s is a must-try as well.

Places to visit include Markers, which is new. They have an art bar where you can choose a painting from a menu, and then you get the supplies to create it. St. Simons Island is nearby, so you can enjoy the beach and make sure to stop by Sandy Bottom Bagels for fresh New York bagels. Our downtown area is vibrant with many great businesses like Tipsy’s, Silver Bluff Brewing, and Newcastle Wine Merchant.

You can also visit the historical Selden Park, which has a lot of history in the new museum. Another historical place to visit is the Herrington School. If you have time, take a ferry over to Sapelo Island for even more history. There are more hidden gems here, but these are just a few that I visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would first like to give a shoutout to my husband, Tyresius Jackson Sr. Thank you for believing in me and going along with all my ideas. I always hear him say, ‘Yeah, she was talking about bounce houses and this idea and that one, and I was just like, okayyyy, and look at us now.’ He believed in my dream and vision so much that he agreed and supported my decision to leave my job where I was unhappy and work for myself.

I would also like to give a shoutout to two of my entrepreneur friends, Terrie Nelson & Chadrika Johnson. To Terrie with Terrie Images, Thank you for always encouraging me, doing branding photos for me, and providing all the resources and encouragement to help me along in business.

To Chadrika Johnson with Oceanhorse Health and Wellness Clinic, thank you for being a great role model and helping me believe in my business. Like you always state, ‘If God can do it for Bill Gates, Tyler Perry, Oprah, he can do that same thing for me.’

I would like to give a shoutout to my mom for always being a listening ear during the journey of my life. You’ve done amazing with helping me flourish, and I thank you!

Most importantly, I have to shout out my little man, Tyresius Jackson Jr. He is my motivation to keep getting up and standing in business!

Also, a big shoutout to my family and community. I just can’t forget to mention people in my community that support and recognize me. Don’t worry; I see you, and thank you.

Website: https://linktr.ee/AshleyJackson_?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=ca1fc4ba-3bd4-450b-9e2c-61486755318d

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonsattractions?igsh=MWg5czBkdGY3NHBvcw==

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

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ItsAshleyJackson?si=0nmGbV2uE45OVbX9

Image Credits
quality lens on the brand photos Underground Market Outlet on the others