Meet Ashley Adams

We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Adams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I’ve learned to turn being the only one in the room into a strength, not a setback. Early in my career, walking into spaces where no one looked like me used to feel intimidating but over time, I realized it was also evidence that I belonged in places my community hadn’t always had access to. Instead of shrinking, I started standing taller.

I had to teach myself that representation isn’t just about visibility, it’s about influence. When I’m the only one in the room, it means I have the opportunity to shift the conversation, bring new perspectives, and open doors for those coming behind me. I stopped trying to blend in and started owning my voice, my expertise, and the value of my lived experience.

I stay effective by leading with preparation, confidence, and intention. I study the room, understand the landscape, and speak from an authentic place. And I remind myself every time: being the only one doesn’t mean I’m out of place it means I’m the blueprint. It means I am carrying representation forward in real time.

Success for me has come from embracing that truth. I walk into every room knowing I earned my seat, knowing the work I do speaks for itself, and knowing that my presence is creating possibilities for someone else who will one day walk in and feel seen because I was there first.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Ashley Adams, and I serve as the Founder, CEO, and Lead Instructor of ALA Beauty Studios & Academy. My journey began with eyelash extensions my first love in beauty and what started as a traveling lash artist working out of my car has grown into a full 360° beauty ecosystem designed to develop and empower the next generation of beauty professionals.

At ALA, I oversee both sides of our dual model: our salon suites and our licensed beauty academy. As Lead Instructor, I’m hands-on with our students teaching lash, esthetics, hair weaving, and nail beauty programs while also guiding them through the business, financial literacy and mindset skills they need to succeed. As the founder and CEO, I focus on building systems, expanding locations, creating partnerships, and constantly evolving the academy to meet industry needs.

What excites me most about the work we do is the transformation. I get to watch students walk in unsure, uncertain, or intimidated—and leave with confidence, credentials, and career opportunities. Seeing someone realize they can build a profitable, sustainable career in beauty is the most rewarding part of my work.

ALA is known for being a 360° beauty ecosystem. We don’t just train beauty professionals we create space, opportunity, and a pathway to entrepreneurship. What sets us apart is our commitment to affordable education, real-world training, mentorship, and motivation. We are building careers, not just classrooms.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Having a real, attainable vision.
In the beginning, I had to learn that a business can’t be built on vibes or vague dreams. You need a vision that is clear, attainable, and rooted in your “why.” Once I understood the deeper purpose of ALA and the impact I wanted to create in the beauty industry, everything else aligned. My advice: get brutally honest about your why. It becomes your anchor when things get difficult and your compass when making decisions.

2. Using my job as my first investor.
Before funding was accessible, my 9–5 was the reason ALA exists today. I used my job to fund my business—no loans, no handouts, no shortcuts. That discipline taught me financial responsibility and forced me to prioritize what really mattered. My advice: don’t let social media glamorize quitting your job too soon. Let your job fuel your dream until your business can stand on its own.

3. Operational and leadership skills.
Working as an operations manager was one of the most valuable parts of my journey. It taught me how to manage systems, lead people, stay organized under pressure, and produce results in a demanding environment. Entrepreneurship isn’t just creativity it’s discipline, structure, and execution. My advice: build operational skills early. Take roles that challenge you, learn how businesses run, and don’t be afraid to start at the ground level. Those experiences become your foundation when it’s time to run your own company.

At every stage, these three elements aligned vision, discipline, and operational excellence shaped the leader I am today and continue to guide how I grow ALA Beauty Studios & Academy.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always open to strategic collaborations that align with ALA’s mission. Right now, one of the biggest barriers in our industry is access to free or affordable beauty licensing education. Texas has an estimated 8,000+ licensed beauty professionals needed by 2030, yet many students can’t access programs due to cost, lack of space, or limited school availability.

We cannot close this gap alone, collaboration is essential.

I’m looking to partner with charter schools, nonprofits, ISDs, community colleges, private schools, and workforce development organizations that are unable to service all the students seeking training. I also welcome partnerships with licensed instructors, beauty educators, mentors, investors, and brands who want to support the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs.

At ALA Beauty Studios & Academy, our mission is to license, train, and place beauty professionals into jobs or self-employment within 90 days of graduation. To expand this work, we are actively seeking donors and sponsors who believe in vocational education, economic mobility, and creating real workforce solutions for under served communities.

If you’re passionate about closing the unlicensed beauty gap, increasing access to training, or supporting entrepreneurship, I would love to connect. Together, we can build a stronger beauty workforce and open doors for thousands of future professionals.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Headshots by Chris Winfield, Forever Reel

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