We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashleigh Offord a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ashleigh , so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Overcoming burnout or avoiding burnout is a consistent action. I’ve created a schedule that will allow me to work effectively as well as taking care of my mind and body. I have a specific day of the week that I’m off from all forms of work. I will not respond to emails, messages, or anything on that day off. It may sound a little harsh, because one may say, “It’s just a simple question it only takes 2 seconds to respond”.
However, this my 24 hours when I’m not in work mode and I want to enjoy not having to think about work. It’s how I create a healthy balance of avoiding burnout. We have to understand when one has been doing something for so long and they may be growing weary or feeling burnt out, it’s one message or email that can just send them over the edge during their downtime.
Another way I avoid burnout is working on other business endeavors. I have about 7 other business ideas and I’m consistently pursuing those goals daily. I work hard knowing that this is a stepping stone to achieving my higher endeavors.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hello All, I’m Ashleigh Offord, I grew up in a small town in Florida called Palatka. I stayed there until 18 years old and moved to Orlando, FL to pursue a nursing degree. I thought I wanted to be a nurse because we all know nurses make great money and my mom is a nurse, so I guess you could say I wanted to follow in her footsteps at first. I had a plan to specialize and become a Nurse Anesthetist simply for the money, if I’m being honest.
I started my first year at Valencia College, and realized Nursing wasn’t for me, I didn’t have the passion for it, and I wasn’t up for the science challenge. So I begin pursing a business degree. From childhood I always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I knew when I became a Nurse I would work in a practice, gain experience and leave to open my own office. I’ve always wanted my own business it didn’t matter what field of work I would choose.
However, I switched my major to business, I graduated from Valencia College and transferred to the University of Central Florida where I stayed for one year. It was an interesting time there because they prepare you to work for the large corporations and get you connected with executives for those firms and so on but, I had no desire to work for those companies. I wanted to operate in the Beauty Industry.
At the time I desired to open several one stop beauty shops and pursue doing hair and makeup. I can recall a meeting with an advisor at UCF and they asked my long term goal and I explained it and I remember him saying “Why are you here in College? To operate a salon you ned to work in a salon and gain experience.” After that conversation I was looking up schools for Cosmetology and Makeup.
I enrolled in Paul Mitchell shortly after where I completed my Cosmetology hours, graduated, passed my state board exam and begin my beauty career. I started in a high end multi-cultural salon as a salon assistant because I knew I wanted to specialize in hair color, extensions, and more. However, God had another plan. I begin braiding hair and doing makeup. I was always known for my makeup skills but I begin to practice and perfect my braiding skills. I’m in Florida so a lot of people are always on the hunt for a braiding expert.
Over the years I practiced and watched a lot of Youtube lol. Braiding courses wasn’t as popular as they are now, so I truly relied on any free information I could find and simply practicing. However 7 years later, I’m an expert braider with the ability to braid all hair types. I truly enjoy being able to meet various people and offer my skills to fit their beauty needs.
Furthermore, I’m expanding my service list by offering braiding & business classes. I’ve created a teaching platform titled Beauty Blazers University which can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok. It’s still in its launching phase but will be fully built out by December 1st, 2023 with tickets available to purchase. The 2-Day Master Braiding Course is ideal for beginner and intermediate level braiders. This is the perfect class for those who would like to pursue a career as braider, use it as a side hustle, or simply want to learn how to braid. It’s a hybrid style course, so if the students can’t make it to Orlando, FL no worries, it’ll be streamed live and students will also receive a braiding kit just like the in-person students. This class will take place February 24th-25th, 2024.
This braiding course is not your ordinary course, I will have two guest speakers who will teach the students how to properly establish their business, learn about personal and business credit, as well as the opportunity to work with a 7-figure business coach. I’m not holding out on no information! Students will learn everything I’ve learned over the years and leave with all the tools to set them up for success!
More information can be found at AshleighOfford.com or on my Instagram: Ashleigh Offord & Beauty Blazers University.
Lastly, I own and operate a Beauty Supply Store in Orlando, FL. It’s a brick and mortar store called Emporium 7 Beauty Supply right on the busiest road in Orlando,” Colonial Drive”. We’re located on East Colonial Drive in the Colonial Promenade. We celebrated 1 year in business this past October and we’re praying to celebrate many more. I’m overly passionate about the Beauty Supply Industry because minorities dominate the Beauty Supply Stores but we hardly own them. My goal is to bring excellent customer service, knowledgeable advisors and a luxury experience in minority focused Beauty Supply Stores. I would also love to teach other minority men and women how to open a store in your community. If we can get our dollars to circulate in our community, we’re winning. So stay on the lookout for courses on how to open and operate a Beauty Supply Store.
Please give us a follow on All social platforms at Emporium 7 Beauty Supply.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I would say the there three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey was having awesome customer service, networking, and being teachable.
Customer service is the one thing that many service providers lack. Often time many people are skilled but they lack the professionalism that is coupled with the skill. I always say “people work hard for their money, and they want to feel good about spending their hard earned money with you”. So simply being polite, respectful and pampering your clients/customer will go a long way. Especially when you’re in the beginning stages, if your work isn’t top tier yet, people will stick with you as grow because they feel safe with you and they know they will be treated well.
Networking is something I’ve had to learn along the way. I used to be shy around new people or would feel like I didn’t know what to say, or how to start conversation. Nevertheless I had to realize if I wanted to expand my business, I have to talk! So, if you struggle with networking, or don’t know how to start a conversation, I always say find something to compliment on a person, whether it’s their outfit, hair, accessories, a fragrance they may be wearing, anything, and it’ll be your way to learn about them and introduce yourself.
Finally, being teachable! Although I’ve learned many things over the years, I can still learn more! I’m a forever student and that’s how many people should view business. You’re always learning!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I PRAY & WORSHIP! I’m a woman of Faith, and I know that God has a purpose and plan for my life. I know that He is the Author and Finisher of our faith according to Hebrews 12:2. So before I cry and get all upset, I will stop and immediately start talking to God because that’s what prayer is, it’s simply talking to God with a sincere heart. I remind myself of who God said I am, and what he’s called me to do. Then, I get back into the flow of whatever I’m working on at the time that may have been overwhelming.
Contact Info:
- Website:Emproium7beautysuppply.com. AshleighOfford.com
- Instagram: AshleighOfford BeautyBlazersUniversity E7BeautySupply
- Facebook: Ashleigh Offord Emporium 7 Beauty Supply Beauty Blazers University
- Youtube: Emporium 7 Beauty Supply. Beauty Blazers University
Image Credits
Chan Joyanna Panton
