We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Brandfass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Hi Ashley, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Building my confidence and self-esteem has been an ongoing journey, and it’s something I continue to work on every day. Honestly, every time I try something new or share a project, there’s always that voice of doubt because I’m not 100% sure of myself. But what I’ve found is that being open and honest about my process, and even my struggles, has made a huge difference. When I first started with furniture flipping, I stuck to the basics. I wanted to perfect what I could, like getting a beautiful, smooth finish on painted furniture, because that felt within my comfort zone.
Over time, I realized I needed to challenge myself to grow, and I absolutely love a challenge. That’s what really drives me. So, I pushed myself to tackle new things—like learning to use a miter saw for trim details or fixing drawer slides. Once I felt comfortable with that, I took on harder challenges, and that’s been the pattern ever since. Now, I’m renovating an entire fixer-upper property and even building my own cabinets using multiple tools, something I couldn’t have imagined when I started. I make mistakes, and I learn from them, but I also make sure to share those lessons with my followers. That openness has been key in not only building my confidence but also connecting with others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
In 2020, I made a big decision to leave my corporate job as an HR manager to focus on my family, as my oldest child was about to start kindergarten. My background is in engineering, but I earned a master’s in HR Development because I love helping and developing people. When COVID hit, it was the perfect time to pivot, but I’m someone who always needs a challenge, so I couldn’t just sit still.
That’s when I stumbled across furniture flipping, which immediately sparked something in me. I’ve always been crafty—back in college, I would make my own art because I couldn’t afford to buy it, but I loved the freedom of customizing pieces to fit my style. My first furniture flip was actually my grandmother’s dresser, which I painted to match my son’s nursery. That piece still holds a special place in my heart, and I plan to flip it again soon!
From there, I picked up a free side table on Facebook Marketplace and flipped it. I didn’t make any money on it, but I fell in love with the creative outlet it provided. I got hooked on the thrill of finding free or damaged furniture, transforming it into something beautiful, and eventually selling it for a profit. What started as a personal project evolved into a passion for sharing my process with others online.
Today, my account and business name is Studio Adash, a combination of my husband’s and my name (Adam and Ashley). I loved that I could play on the idea of ‘a dash’ of new life into old things. It’s a perfect reflection of my mission to repurpose well-loved, damaged items and keep them out of the landfill. Now, I focus on teaching others how to do the same, through DIY content and an on-demand furniture flipping course for beginners, where people can learn at their own pace. I’m excited to continue inspiring others to embrace their creativity and make something new from something old.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been perseverance, a willingness to learn, and creativity.
Perseverance: DIY and furniture flipping can be full of unexpected challenges and mistakes, and there have been plenty of times I felt like giving up. But sticking with it, even when projects didn’t go as planned, taught me the value of persistence. My advice to others is to embrace failure as part of the process. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, and they often lead to growth.
Willingness to Learn: I’m completely self-taught, so being open to learning new skills has been essential. From watching tutorials to experimenting with tools I’d never used before, staying curious and eager to learn is key. For anyone starting out, I recommend investing time in learning—whether it’s through online courses, videos, or even trial and error. Start small and build your knowledge gradually.
Creativity: Flipping furniture and DIY projects are all about seeing the potential in things that might otherwise be discarded. My creativity has allowed me to transform old, damaged items into something fresh and new. For those early in their journey, my advice is to allow your creativity to flow freely—don’t be afraid to take risks or try new ideas. Over time, you’ll find your own unique style and voice.
Ultimately, it’s a combination of these qualities that has helped me grow. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to develop further, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My number one obstacle right now is staying focused. I have so many projects in mind—between our renovation property, our own house, and my first love, which is flipping furniture. I want to do it all and share every part of the journey, but sometimes I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks. To manage this, I try to plan each week ahead of time, so I can focus on what I want to accomplish. It helps, but it’s definitely a work in progress. If anyone has tips for staying focused or managing multiple projects, I’m always open to learning!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studioadash.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_adash/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558309192639
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studio_adash
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