We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Cole recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Homemade rice krispy treats and I have a beautiful history together. I began making rice krispy treats alongside my best friend in High School. I created krispies as a small side business during my high school years which continued occasionally throughout college as well as during my career as a nurse. Then something really wild happened that devastated the world. The pandemic happened. As a registered nurse it was an incredibly challenging and depressing time. This travesty heavily impacted health care workers across the world. I felt that despite my efforts and care provided I was living a helpless and purposeless life. I realized that I was craving the need to help in other ways. I quickly remembered that cultivating tasty rice treats was a longtime passion of mine. I knew that I needed this outlet. I decided to take that passion and fulfill my purpose of making delicious and elegant rice krispy treats for every palate. With that, Cute & Classy Krispies was created.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I specialize in creating homemade rice krispy treats with emphasis on utilizing quality ingredients and focusing on delivering a delicious and esthetically pleasing dessert option for every palate including but not limited to traditional, vegan, and gluten-free. My krispies are meticulously cultivated, and I’m most excited about being able to provide a cute and classy treat for everyone to enjoy. As an individual with dietary restrictions I understand the importance of an inclusive food experience. Cute & Classy Krispies is available in over 17 different delicious flavors and can be easily obtained. The Krispy Queen is on the move, and I’m so thrilled to see where this journey takes me.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would definitely have to say grit, perseverance, and 15+ experience in perfecting my craft have been the most impactful during my journey. I’ve had the opportunity to experience failure, disappointment, and frustration in my journey. However, I’ve also been blessed to experience triumph as well as personal growth, and development in my business. The best advice I can offer is don’t be afraid to fail. Failing allows you take a moment to process challenges and make necessary improvements. There will be times when you want to give up, but learn to persevere. It will be worth it.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have been blessed to live in a community of people constantly rooting for my success. I have developed lasting relationships with my fellow small business owners, and we strive to make a positive impact in our community. I also have a wonderful group of mentors who I consider to be my tribe. I rely heavily on my tribe for guidance especially as a women of color in this small business industry. They constantly help me think big for my small business. I highly recommend that you surround yourself with people who will wholeheartedly support you and genuinely want the best for you. It makes all the difference in the world. There is power in community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cuteandclassykrispies
- Facebook: Cute & Classy Krispies
