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

Hi Emily Ashton, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I can either risk failing doing something I hate or risk failing doing something I love. (I know that’s a quote but I’m not sure by who!) Essentially, I want to work toward my dreams, not someone else’s. That’s why they’re mine, you know? I want every moment of my existence to be filled with passion so I now go wherever I feel that. For a long time, I lived in the shadow of who I have the potential to be. I pursued what would give me external validation and parental appreciation rather than what set my soul on fire. After a couple of years, I realized how desperately I wanted more than a life of struggling for nothing so instead, I decided to struggle for something — and it’s amazing because it doesn’t feel like struggling at all.

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?
I’m a Yoga and Meditation Teacher! I work privately with personal clients as well as in two rehabilitation centers in Atlanta! It was not until I finally listened to my intuitive notions that I was courageous enough to drop out of college and pursue what I feel genuinely drawn to. I am proud of my willingness to make such a challenging decision for myself at that time, so I now aim to inspire others and remind them of their own intrinsic freedom to make their love one they deeply love!

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?
Wow, where to begin?! I’d say let’s grab lunch at Jinya Ramen Bar then head to the East Palisades Indian Trail for a beautiful hike to the Bamboo Forest! Then we’ll go to Live Your Avo for an amazing Ecstatic Dance Class! I’d also HAVE to take them to Uniquely Gifted, one of my favorite metaphysical shops! Oh and a matcha latte from Café Comma, no doubt! We’d for sure go to Iron Age one evening and Tassili’s Raw Reality café at some point, too! Apart from all of delicious food we’d be enjoying, I’d take them to Paces Mill (West Palisades) for yoga or dancing in the open field and even Pine Mountain for the most beautiful sunset one could imagine! Atlanta and the surrounding metro-cities are full of hidden gems!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every single person in my life, quite honestly! If I could write a designated message for each of them, I would. Everyone has shaped me in some way, whether they’ve never spoken to me at all or know me like the back of their hand. Through others, I have been able to clearly see my own reflection along with the infinite beauty and sacred intention divinely interwoven between each of us. So if you are reading this, thank you for existing.

Instagram: iamemilyashton

Image Credits
Geoff Lamaze — @geofflamaze_film

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