Meet Ashley Coffey

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Coffey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I believe resilience is something you build over time, shaped by what life hands you and how you decide to respond. For me, resilience was born out of a mix of tough experiences and the incredible example set by my Dad and Grandma, both Oklahoma entrepreneurs. In our state, we have a history of grit – you can look back at the Dust Bowl and see it in the resilience of those who stuck it out. That spirit feels almost inherited, a legacy I carry forward.

My resilience has roots in more than hardship; it’s in the love, encouragement, and sacrifices of two people who were my anchors in a challenging world. Growing up, I didn’t have the comforts of generational wealth or a stable family dynamic. My mother’s battles with substance abuse led to her leaving early on, and I was raised by my Dad. He remarried, but my step-mom introduced me to a harsh reality. From a young age, I learned about physical and emotional pain, and isolation. One of my most vivid memories is of her breaking my nose with a canopy bedpost when I was seven. In that moment, I felt utterly confused and alone, as if no one could see or save me.

But in the summers, I’d stay with my Grandma – a self-made businesswoman who taught me to stand on my own. Her love, wisdom, and unstoppable drive gave me hope and a sense of possibility. My Dad, too, was a rock, someone who, despite challenges, always believed in me. They were the proof that love and resilience could overcome the hardest times.

Losing my Dad in 2013 and then my Grandma in 2015 was painful beyond words, but it also reshaped me. Watching my Dad pass away, speaking at his funeral – it felt like my own trial by fire. I had to rise above, not just for myself but to honor the strength they’d instilled in me. I carry them with me every day. Their legacy reminds me that every challenge I face is another step on the path they paved for me, and that resilience is my tribute to them.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m thrilled to share more about my journey and the work I’m doing with my firm, Coffey & Consult. My mission is to demystify technology for businesses that feel overwhelmed by the complexities of innovation. So many business owners are deeply immersed in their day-to-day operations and simply don’t have the time or resources to explore how tech can elevate their efficiency and impact. That’s where Coffey & Consult steps in, providing solutions that simplify the process and empower them to thrive.

One of the services I’m most excited about is our Software Scout offering, which provides straightforward, tailored recommendations to help businesses focus on what they do best: optimizing operations and maximizing potential. It’s incredibly rewarding to see clients experience real, measurable success through our collaboration, and I’m grateful to contribute to that journey.

Being a business owner in Oklahoma is something I take pride in, especially when it means bringing people together from different backgrounds to share knowledge and grow. Beyond Coffey & Consult, I also serve as President-Elect for the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Marketing Association. It’s a true honor to work with our vibrant marketing community, and I’m looking forward to bringing fresh, innovative ideas to the chapter as we look toward 2025.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, I’d say there are three qualities and skills that have been truly impactful: resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.

Resilience: Life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way, and each one reinforced my determination to keep moving forward. Resilience has helped me turn setbacks into learning experiences and approach new challenges with confidence. For those starting out, building resilience means being willing to face adversity and view it as an opportunity to learn rather than a roadblock. The key is to stay focused on the bigger picture, even when the path feels uncertain.

Adaptability: Technology and business landscapes are constantly shifting, and being able to adapt quickly has been a game-changer. Learning to pivot and embrace new methods, tools, and approaches has kept my business on the cutting edge. For anyone early in their career, the best way to build adaptability is to stay curious and open-minded, continually learning and seeking out diverse experiences that can expand your perspective.

Growth Mindset: A growth mindset has been essential in helping me stay grounded yet ambitious. It’s about believing that skills can be developed, failures are temporary, and challenges are opportunities to grow. This mindset shift helped me overcome self-doubt and embrace new goals. To develop a growth mindset, surround yourself with people who inspire you, look for feedback, and stay focused on personal improvement rather than comparisons.

These qualities have made an enormous difference in my life and career, and they’re ones that anyone, at any stage, can start working on. It’s all about persistence, curiosity, and a commitment to evolving over time.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle has been transformative for me, offering profound wisdom that has reshaped my life. This book doesn’t just deliver knowledge; it creates a paradigm shift. One of the most powerful takeaways is the realization that ‘You are not your mind.’ This insight helped me detach from constant, sometimes overwhelming thoughts and instead see myself as an observer of those thoughts. It’s given me the ability to approach both personal and professional challenges with clarity and objectivity.

Another vital lesson is that ‘Consciousness is the only way out of pain.’ This resonated deeply, as it emphasizes that true freedom from pain isn’t about ignoring or suppressing it, but facing it with full awareness. The idea of ‘surrender’ was also life-changing; it taught me that acceptance, rather than resistance, brings peace, even in challenging situations.

Finally, ‘Nothing exists outside of the now’ is a reminder to stay present, to not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Living in the present has empowered me to be more engaged, focused, and appreciative of each moment—qualities that carry over into my work and relationships. For anyone seeking grounding wisdom and a clearer, more peaceful outlook, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

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Image Credits

Jessi Chapman Photos (Headshots) Ashley Coffey’s personal collection

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