Meet AshLeigh Brodin

We recently connected with AshLeigh Brodin and have shared our conversation below.

AshLeigh, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

For me, resilience isn’t something I muster alone—it’s something I draw from the people and beliefs that shape me.

My faith and spirituality are my grounding force. They guide me, center me, and remind me of the bigger picture when challenges feel overwhelming. Without that foundation, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today.

My family has always given me room to be unapologetically myself and to chase every dream—no matter how bold or unconventional. Knowing they’re in my corner gives me the courage to keep going.

My friends are the ones who bring endless love, laughter, and hype into my life. Their support lifts me on the days I need it most.

My team stands with me through the trenches. They give me grace to grow alongside them, without judgment, and they anchor me when the pace gets wild. Their belief in our shared vision keeps me steady.

And my clients—trusting me with one of the most important days of their lives—is something I never take lightly. Their confidence in me fuels my commitment and reminds me why I do what I do.

Resilience, for me, is a shared strength. It’s built through faith, community, and the incredible people who walk this journey with me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As the owner of Avenue Blue KC, I always say that what we offer goes far beyond event planning. Yes, we provide full-service coordination, florals, décor, rentals, and everything in between—but at the heart of it all is a team of people who genuinely love what they do and who care deeply about every client who walks through our doors.

I’m incredibly proud of the breadth of services we provide because it allows us to create a seamless, cohesive experience for our clients. They don’t have to worry about juggling multiple vendors or managing dozens of moving parts. We take that weight off their shoulders so they can show up, be present, and truly enjoy their day.

But what really makes Avenue Blue KC special is the team behind the scenes. Our work is collaborative at every level. My team shows up with passion, creativity, and a willingness to go the extra mile—not because they have to, but because they believe in the moments we’re creating. They support one another, step in without hesitation, and treat each event with the same care they’d give their own family.

Watching them bring an event to life—communicating effortlessly, solving problems before anyone notices, and making each client feel seen and supported—is one of the greatest privileges of being an owner. Their teamwork is the heartbeat of this company.

I can confidently say that Avenue Blue KC is what it is because of them: a place where service, artistry, and genuine connection come together to create unforgettable experiences. I couldn’t be prouder.

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?

When I look back on my journey, three qualities stand out as truly transformative for me: the power of teamwork, learning to trust myself enough to chase my dreams, and leaning into my organizational skills.

Teamwork has been at the center of everything I’ve built. Nothing great happens alone, and I’ve been blessed with people who have believed in the vision right alongside me. Trusting myself was another big one—giving myself permission to take risks, make bold decisions, and believe that I was capable of more than I ever imagined. And honestly, my organizational skills became the quiet superpower that kept everything moving forward, especially during seasons that felt chaotic or overwhelming.

For those who are early in their journey, my biggest piece of advice is this: do not fall into the trap of comparison. Someone else’s path is not yours, and trying to measure yourself against anyone else will only steal your joy. Trust your own timeline.

Also, learn to accept criticism—both positive and constructive. Feedback is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. The sooner you can take it in, filter it, and use it for growth, the faster you’ll evolve.

And lastly, don’t let your “why” become your excuse. The things that matter most to you in life—your family, your values, your purpose—should fuel your ambition, not hold you back from it. If you want something deeply enough, you will always find the will, the courage, and the perseverance to chase it.

Your journey won’t look perfect, and it won’t always look pretty—but it will be yours. And that’s exactly what makes it worth it.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

First things first—why does it have to be one or the other? *Haha!* I’ve never believed in choosing between the two. I think there’s something really powerful about being well-rounded, adaptable, and continuously learning. Growth happens when we stretch ourselves beyond what comes naturally.

But at the same time, I’m a firm believer in playing to your strengths. That’s actually how we structure our team. Everyone has an area where they naturally shine—whether it’s creativity, logistics, leadership, communication, or problem-solving. Instead of forcing people to be everything, we let them lean into what they do best. And when you put those strengths together, that’s when the magic happens. That’s when a group becomes a true team.

I’ve seen it firsthand. When we first started building Avenue Blue KC, I quickly learned that the more I tried to wear every hat, the more I diluted the impact I could make. But when I empowered others to step into their strengths—florals, design, operations, client care—we became stronger as a whole. Our clients felt the difference. Our team felt the difference. And I felt the freedom to stay in the lane where I add the most value.

So yes, develop yourself. Stretch yourself. Get better in the areas that need attention. But also honor the gifts you already have. Lean into them. Own them. And surround yourself with people who complement you rather than mirror you.

That’s where real success lives—not in choosing one path over the other, but in knowing when to blend both.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.avenuebluekc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avenuebluekc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avenuebluekc