We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Ashley, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Art is one of the building blocks in the foundation of my life. I see art everywhere and I can appreciate the different forms even something as simple as a candy bar wrapper. Art and creativity are all around us, we just have to look outside of the box. The way that I keep my creativity flowing is to imagine myself out of my “box” or my comfort zone. We live in a box, we work in a box, we drive a box, and often times we forget that life is shaped differently if we just walk outside. Take a look around the next time you’re in nature, or looking at architecture. So many patterns coupled with textures that seem to work naturally like a field of blue bonnets outside of a cattle ranch- but it works- let art be natural and flowing and you can see your creativity thrive.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I moved to Texas in March of 2019 with the ambition to work behind the chair as a stylist. I didn’t have much of an idea what that business would look like for me as I just graduated cosmetology school. With a five month old and my spouse at home, the one thing I noticed about working in the salon that I was in was that I had no room for creative flow. I had no artistic freedom to choose the type of hair I wanted to work on. I branched out on my own only 6 months into hair design and that’s when ‘Bad Ash Blonding’ was born.. I specialize in Blonding and extensions and it’s my absolute passion. Not a day goes by that I wake up dreading going into the salon. I’m nestled in a suite in Keller Tx and I believe it’s the perfect area being in the middle of the hub we call Dallas Fort Worth. We have since added another bundle of joy to our family and we now have two girls ages 5 and 7 months. Having them be able to look up to me and my accomplishments as not only their mother but a woman is something I will always cherish. In 2020 I started a business called Bad Ash Brims that focuses on custom hats. My hats are my absolute passion. Each one is unique and designed specifically for the person who has contracted me to buy it. Occasionally I make hats that are sold on my website but I mostly do customs because it allows me to have a little more time to create an art piece and not just basic run of the mill hats. A couple months ago I was approached by the television show “Pawn Stars” and I’ll be featured on that show beginning in October- I can’t disclose exactly what I’ll be doing but it does involve my hat business. It’s a must watch for sure!
I’m dabbling in a few other business areas at the moment and hoping to expand within the next year so please follow my journey
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Don’t be afraid to fail. It makes you work harder and you always learn from your mistakes
2. Follow what you are naturally great at and make it a business. It will thrive because you enjoy it
3. Take the necessary time off- set your boundaries- and don’t be afraid to say no.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
We live in a world that is changing so quickly. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed . As a stylist and artist you’re always being critiqued so it’s important to remember that you’re an artist and not everyone will love your work. Try to relish in your accomplishments, count your blessings not your worries. Stay up to date on new technologies and techniques so you’re relevance is not unnoticeable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Badashblonding.com www.Badashbrims.com
- Instagram: @badashblonding @badashbrims
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-miller-452944aa
Image Credits
Blonde is Haley Herman
