Meet Ashley James | Community Advocate – Story Teller – Creator of Wellness Experiences

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

Hi Ashley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is hope and vision. I am a believer and I thank God for placing me in certain positions and careers to help me get to where I am today. I was an entrepreneur at a very young age and I can truly say that in every job that I’ve had from babysitting to traveling the world, managing some of the largest healthcare accounts,  I have been able to use those talents to help create and build TRILUNA.

I feel the success of TRILUNA  is based on our core values which inform everything we do.

1. We believe that diversity and community matter.
2. We approach wellness with a beginner’s mind.
3. We believe health should support your life, not consume it.
4. We know that health is a social justice issue.
5. Our wellness is grounded in bio-individuality and intuitive care. 

These core values have created an environment that everyone can feel welcomed and supported while receiving tools and resources that better serve their individual wellness journey.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We created TRILUNA to bring enjoyment back into the wellness space. We think the world often makes us feel we are not “well enough” and created this company to provide space for people to show up as they are. To provide sustainable, realistic, and inclusive health practices, each of our programs reflects our three core services: health coaching, cooking, and movement classes.

TRILUNA is a  pro-donut, non-diet, anti-racist,  wellness company focused on mental health and social justice issues. We provide organizations with wellness experiences through workshops, cooking + movement classes, and curated self-care boxes. 

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.
If my best friend were coming to town I would take them to some of my favorite spaces and places in the Nashville area. Nashville is growing in a major way and there is always something going on in the city.  We would eat good food, sip cocktails on rooftops, rest & restore, and dance the night away to good music! I have listed some of the places we would visit below:

Favorite places + spaces:

Centennial Park

African American Museum

Cheekwood (Yoga hosted by TRILUNA every Sunday & Thursday)

Gardens of Babylon

Nobel Park

Flamingo Cocktail Club

Photoshoot tour of the Nashville Murals – The Nashville Photo Walk Company 

Rooftops:

Virgin Hotel – Pool Club

L.A. Jackson

White Limozeen

The Hampton Social

Places to eat + coffee shops: ( All Black-owned)

Slim and Husky’s

Loading Dock coffee shop (Tell Juan I sent you!)

Southern V

Willie B’s Kitchen + Lounge

City Farm Company

Riddim n Spice

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first person I want to credit is my husband. He believed in my vision even when it wasn’t clear. He invested in my dream (when he was just my boyfriend) and paid for me to get my first yoga certification. He held me tight when I was scared to leave corporate America. He encouraged me to make the jump and he still encourages me daily. I’m so grateful for his love, encouragement, and consistent reminder of telling me “this is what I was born to do.”

Secondly, my parents and brothers. When I told my parents I was leaving my successful corporate career it was hard for them to understand but they told me they trusted my vision because I had never let them down in the past and that meant the world to me. They are my biggest supporters and there’s not a week that goes by without one of my family members telling me how proud they are of me.

Thirdly, my business partner, Elizabeth Moore. We met in our yoga teacher training and I was quickly drawn to her because she was so intelligent and I felt like I could learn so much from her and I was right. Elizabeth is the most caring, encouraging, and thoughtful person I have ever had the honor to call my best friend. She pushes me to express myself daily, she allows me to dream big, and most importantly she allows me to speak and live in my truth. She is my rock and I thank God every day for her. 

Lastly, all the wonderful mentors + friends who have poured into me and been along for this journey. I cannot thank you all enough for what you do to make me show up and continue to push forward. It’s special to be surrounded by individuals who I pray for you and want to see me win.

Website: https://www.trilunawellness.com/

Instagram: ab_the_yogi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-brooke-james-0a394120/

Image Credits
All images can be credited to Christy Hunter, Authentic Photos + Design.