Meet Ashley Sharie | Brand Strategist & Creative Consultant

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

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always been interested in the idea of creating my own business. I started my “first” business alongside my Athletic Director in high school. I was in IB Business Management class at the time, and I was hooked on the idea of being able to create something out of nothing. During the course, I identified a need, and ultimately we developed a wildly successful solution to meet it. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to do this again and again.

I was committed to learning everything I could, even getting a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship. I knew I wanted to create brands and help people turn their passions into profit. Fast forward a few years, and I’m now the CEO of my own company. I’m passionate about helping others achieve their dreams, and I believe that creating a business is one of the best avenues to do so. Every day, I wake up excited to work on my latest project and help others turn their passions into profitable businesses. I genuinely feel this is the work I’m meant to do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
While many people think that brands are all about marketing and advertising, there is so much more to consider when building a solid foundation for your business. A well-crafted brand strategy considers the company’s mission and values and the needs and wants of the target audience. It also encompasses everything from the logo and website design to the overall user experience. In short, a brand strategy is the roadmap that will guide all of your marketing and communications efforts. At our agency, we take a holistic and collaborative approach to brand strategy. We start by getting to know your business inside and out, understanding what makes you unique. Then, we take you from ideation to execution, strategically and intentionally. And we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach – instead, we focus on what makes you and your business unique. From there, we work with you to develop a custom strategy that will help you achieve your business goals. Our process is results-driven and focused on helping you reach your target audience in a way that resonates with them.

However, if I’m being honest, this wasn’t always my story. For a long time, I let imposter syndrome keep me from truly going after what I wanted in my business. I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone and really lean into my strengths. As a result, I spent a lot of time and energy trying to fit into a mold that just didn’t work for me and limited my impact. Thankfully, I had a moment of clarity one day when I reviewed my numbers. I realized that most of my income was coming from the “strategy” side of my business – the side that I was too scared to fully embrace. That’s when I decided to take a leap and just do it. It wasn’t easy, but it was the best decision I ever made. I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving weekend when I sat down and rebranded my entire business. The name, the services, the logo – everything got a makeover. And I haven’t looked back since. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. Now, I’m finally able to be myself and create the kind of work that truly lights me up. And as a result, my business is thriving like never before.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I’m in Atlanta, I like to just go with the flow. Every time is a new experience because it’s such a vibrant city with so much to see and do. I love trying new restaurants and exploring all the different neighborhoods. I’ll usually start my weekend with brunch…or two, followed by some shopping — shoutout to Shift Style House! But of course, no trip to Atlanta would be complete without getting my fix of Lemon Pepper wings from JR Crickets. They’ve been my favorite for years! The best part about the city is that there’s always an event happening on the weekends. From food festivals to live music, there’s always something to do. With so much to do, the best advice I have is to show up ready to have an amazing whirlwind of a time.

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?
When I think about who to dedicate this shoutout to, there’s one name that comes to mind immediately: Alencia Johnson. She’s been a client, collaborator, and friend, and I can’t imagine my journey without her. She believed in me from the very beginning, and her faith in my skills and abilities is something I’ll be forever grateful for. We’ve worked on many projects and endeavors together, and I’m so thankful for all the opportunities. She’s an amazing woman with a heart of gold, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

Website: www.theashacode.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theashacode/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleysharie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theashacode

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

Image Credits
Lab House Studios