Meet Ashley Lawhorn | Boutique Owner & Stylist

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

Hi Ashley, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The single most important decision I made that contributes to my success is to trust myself. For a long time, I was easily influenced by the opinions of others when it came to who I am and my capabilities. I would allow people to speak over me what they thought of my abilities, not considering that I know me better than anyone else. Imagine someone you assume is in a greater space than you, rather that be in their personal, career or social media personas and they tell you, “you don’t believe in yourself.” How would you respond? That situation has happened to me, more than once. It used to kill my confidence. I would get wrapped up in asking myself, what am I portraying that is giving this image to those on the outside looking in. I was extremely hard on myself.

My entrepreneurial journey has pushed me to a place where my perspective had to change. I realized that I am the expert of my brand and business. In a session with my therapist I shared my experience with a lady who assigned me to write a list of 10 things I didn’t believe about myself. Not even considering the detriment that could do for mentally. Therapy is so important for me because I get tunnel vision at times on ideals and my therapist quickly gives me options for other perspectives. She responded, “write 10 things you’re good at or that you love about yourself. Who is she to tell you what you don’t believe based on one conversation?”Immediately I reflected that question, “who is she to tell Ashley about Ashley?” I became intentional in pouring into myself. I became intentional in reminding myself of my expertise, experience, and talents. Kuhrizmuh deserves an owner who remembers what the vision is, and our clientele deserves an experience that shows the boldness, authenticity and confidence that builds their trust with what our brand has to offer.

What should our readers know about your business?
Kuhrizmuh LLC is a fashion company that offers trendy fast fashion for women and more recently we have expanded with a men’s collection. We offer services like closet organizing and personal styling via Studio Kuhrizmuh, a service branch we’ve added to offer more to our clientele. Our online boutique ships worldwide with exclusive collections and great selection. As the owner, I am so proud of all that I’ve accomplished in building Kuhrizmuh LLC. When I launched Kuhrizmuh, I had $500 worth of inventory that I assumed would sell out quickly providing me with the finances I needed to buy more. I had no idea how far uphill I had to climb (and continue to climb).

I have learned so much on this journey. My desire to create a company that will last drives my ambition. I have quit and began again, I have made costly mistakes but I also learned from them. I took initiative to learn all I could about business. My excuse in 2015 was that I was an expert at fashion retail, standing on my 15 years experience in retail fashion, but I knew very little about building a business and brand that no one knew. The retail companies I worked for are established brands not brands in development. I fell off the grid with Kuhrizmuh from 2017-2020. The mistakes I was making put me in a negative mental space about my business. I thought I just didn’t have enough to really build the brand I envisioned. In 2020, after finally completing my bachelors in Fall of 2019, I was determined to try again. I put God in the drivers seat sacrificing my wants to yield to what He wanted me to do. I extended grace to my shortcomings and sought help for my areas of lack. I signed up for the courses, I outsourced help, and I intentionally put more effort in my online presence. After feeling overworked and under appreciated at my job, I prayed for the opportunity to pursue my business full time and it was granted. Despite being camera shy, I pushed myself to just be myself in my content, taking my favorite dances, movies, and fashion how tos to entertain and educate my audience. I pushed past my insecurities and denounced fear. My brand is on the rise and I’m excited to see where Kuhrizmuh LLC goes next.

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?
Huntsville is growing and it has changed tremendously since I first moved here in 2004. When I have visitors from out of town we have more options. We can eat at restaurants like Tom Brown in Madison. Or in the city for hot wings to go at American Deli for lunch. Blaque Cigar lounge is a great place to go for cocktails and salmon sliders. We can party at Envy or go wine tasting at Robyn’s Garden Winery. We can walk the trail at Botanical gardens for beautiful scenery. Or we can bowl, play and drink at Dave and Busters in Midtown followed by enjoying live music at an R&B Lives concert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been many who’s support has enhanced my experience as an entrepreneur and my transition into full time entrepreneurship. One organization in particular that has really helped me is CNI Solutions in Huntsville AL. CNI Solutions is a non profit organization in the Huntsville community that serves underserved communities with financial education, homeownership pathways and entrepreneurship. Their entrepreneurship program really helped me scale my brand. I learned strategy and the importance of having a plan. Even after completing their 12 week Launch It course, they continue to pour into my business.

Website: www.kuhrizmuhfashions.com

Instagram: @kuhrizmuhfashions

Linkedin: Ashley Lawhorn

Facebook: Kuhrizmuh LLC

Youtube: @kuhrizmuh

Other: Join our Facebook group Studio Kuhrizmuh for updates on closet organizing services and personal styling.

Image Credits
Fredro Starr Donye West Denise McDonald (Model) Whitney Davis (Model)