We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Goods. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Hi Ashley, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
ohhhwee, when I say this was a journey in itself. Reaching deep down and soul searching for the steps that got me to fully answer this question . In order to find your purpose, you need a sense of purpose to sustain you over time. And even when life feels like a series of compromises, obstacles, and hard times. I still manage to discover and connect to my purpose by exploring what brings me joy and dedicating more time to it. About 7-8 years ago, I was in a very dark and grieving place. I was doing hair but honestly I was just doing it to be doing it. Until this one couple in particular spoke life into me. They told me the gift that I had and that I need to invest into it or do something grand with it. With that wisdom and my pre knowledge of my services, I went ahead and started perfecting my craft and actually putting a price tag on it. I have always been in the customer service field, but this is and will always be on my terms not anyone else. I was just doing hair to just give that sense of relief that sense of non-stressful manner of figuring out what to do with my hair. I honestly can’t stand doing my own hair but I love making someone smile, making someone’s day, give them that boost of confidence, or just honestly just polishing their 👑.
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?
#ILoveMyBusy Is not something I say it’s something I feel!!! Me being a person who specializes in dreadlocs and natural styles I have found that it is my happy place. I love taking someone’s crown and polishing it to their liking and make them come back and walk away knowing AKstyles will get me right every time. I am known for my neatness my professionalism my personable behavior and just all-around a person you can count on!!! I am proud of the fact that I am known in my city and as well as my progression as a stylist and my eagerness to learn the environment and the genre and take it up to a different height. With that being said I have created products for my clients or just anyone who is in need of a natural and healthy product. I wanted to give a mixture of great essential oils that every scalp needs.
I created a concoction that is suitable for those pesky spots that have extreme lack or growth and dry scalp. Use this oil to stimulate circulation to your scalp, meaning that the hair growth is better supported and follicles are strengthened. It also balances the oil producing glands in the scalp, providing more growth-friendly conditions.
With great products comes a great location, or what i like to call it, OUR HOME. I have finally joined forces with Rookiefresh Barbershop and I have gotten a suite that is located in the same location. We work together to get the men, women and their little people together for the week. I am also intrigued into the barber world to enhance my service list.. but in due time that will be a goal that I have accomplished.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
time management organization skills with a touch of OCD
aware of self care
When in the entrepreneur world, I feel like those three things are really important.
Time management is very important in my field and in my line of work. Over the years I have found a way to make a plan and stick to it. I know being in my free world and able to make my own schedule, you will have to set rules and guidelines for the day. Get a planner, a website, and / or an assistant of some sort. It will eliminate the stress and help with your day to day.
In that day to day, make sure one of those days are free of work and chaos. I take my self out on a day of, “you got this Ashley!” Or “you can have whatever you want!’ I start with either my nails or a massage then I follow with food or shopping, I have to stop myself from buying something for the business but I have to remember, that today is my day and it will be for me. Take care of the mental and physical part of our bodies, no one likes a burnout nor just lack of care and passion in work. I take pride in my work . So that restart is much needed!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The biggest and most important thing that my parents showed me was patience and how to be a hustler. Turn your NO into a YES. i strive for excellence and perfection ever time. But unfortunately that is not built overnight. It took some real life humbling situations to make that even attainable. I really feel like they gave me the opportunity to make all my beliefs and dreams happen. But instilling in me the need to make it happen for myself. EVERYTIME!!! I thank them for that.
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