Meet Ashley Flores

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Flores. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Mental health has been a lifelong struggle for me. I’ve dealt with severe anxiety and depression since I was a kid. As early as elementary school, I remember constantly overthinking, isolating myself, and feeling overwhelmed by things that seemed so easy for others. Now, as an adult and the owner of a small business, those feelings haven’t magically disappeared. If anything, running a one woman show where I’m responsible for every decision, every event, every interaction has added a new level of challenge.

But surprisingly, it’s also become one of the things that helps me fight back.

Being a new business owner means I’m still figuring everything out from marketing and logistics to showing up with a smile on event day, even when internally I’m struggling. There are days when the anxiety feels paralyzing or the depression is heavy, but I have a responsibility to my clients, and that pushes me to keep going. I don’t have the luxury to hide when someone is counting on me to show up at their wedding or birthday party. I’ve learned that getting up, showing up, and doing the work is one of the most powerful tools I have for fighting the spiral in my head.

I’ve also learned to give myself grace. Not every day is going to be perfect. Some days are hard. But I’m learning to celebrate the small wins, take breaks when I need them, and trust that this journey, both as an entrepreneur and as someone managing mental health, is worth it.

Creating Wheelie Good Pops has challenged me, but it’s also helped me grow. It’s taught me how capable I am. Every successful event I complete chips away at the self-doubt. Every kind review, every smile from a guest taking a picture in front of the cart, reminds me that I can do this, even if my brain sometimes tells me otherwise.

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

I own and run Wheelie Good Pops, a mobile popsicle cart that serves handcrafted popsicles for both people and pups. I roll up to events on a tricycle cart, complete with a custom sign that matches the vibe of the party, so it’s not just a treat, it’s also a fun photo moment.

What I love most is how something as simple as a popsicle can make people smile. It brings out the kid in everyone. I’ve done weddings, birthdays, markets, and it’s always so fun to see people light up when they walk up to the cart.

This brand is all about spreading good vibes and creating little moments of joy. It started as a fun idea and turned into something really special. I may be a small business, but I put a lot of heart into every event. Whether it’s a fancy wedding or a backyard party, I’m all in.

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

For me, the biggest one has been learning to go with the flow. Things don’t always go as planned. I’ve dealt with weather surprises, equipment hiccups, last-minute changes, and I’ve had to just figure it out on the fly. Stay calm, stay flexible, and know that things will go wrong sometimes, and that’s okay.

Second, I’d say believing in myself, even when it feels hard. I struggle with anxiety and overthinking, so putting myself out there as a business owner was really intimidating. But each time I pushed through and did the thing anyway, I felt a little stronger. If you’re just starting out, try not to let fear keep you stuck. Just start, and trust that you’ll grow as you go.

And lastly, connecting with other people has made such a difference, but it’s something I’m still working on. Talking to other small business owners, being part of local events, and showing up on social media has helped me learn, feel supported, and start building a little community around what I do. So don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and share your journey.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Honestly, just making it through the first year of business feels like a huge win. Wheelie Good Pops just turned one, and looking back, I’ve grown so much. Not just as a business owner, but as a person.

The biggest area of growth for me has been showing up even when it’s hard. Dealing with anxiety and depression while running a business isn’t easy. There were definitely days when I wanted to cancel everything, hide under the covers, and let the fear win. But I didn’t. I pushed through.

I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I thought. I’ve gotten better at managing my emotions, setting boundaries, and giving myself grace when things aren’t perfect. I’m still learning, still figuring it all out, but I’m proud of the growth that’s come from just sticking with it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Snapshots by Gabriela
Captured by Elle

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your