Meet Ashley Mullen

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

Hi Ashley , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience has always been part of who I am, shaped by a strong work ethic and an unwavering determination. As a former career woman in fashion turned stay-at-home mom, I never fully realized my inner strength until I stepped away from my career to raise my children. Being a stay-at-home mom was, without a doubt, the hardest job I’ve ever had—it challenged me in ways no professional role ever could.

When my husband started Mullen Plumbing in 2016, just three months after the birth of our first son, our lives were completely turned upside down. We went from being two career-driven individuals to having to make a difficult decision: which one of us would stay home to raise our children? For me, it wasn’t really a choice—I either had to take on that role or pay someone else to do it. That moment was the beginning of my resilience journey.

For five years, I stayed home, while we struggled to make ends meet. My husband worked seven days a week, often 12-14 hours a day, to support our family. It was a constant grind, but we persevered. Eventually, I realized that this wasn’t sustainable. With both kids entering school, it was time for me to step in and help grow the business, so my husband could be present for his children.

Today, I work full-time at Mullen Plumbing, managing a team of our employees while still being a mom. Balancing work and motherhood is a constant challenge. I’ve learned there is no perfect balance—you simply show up and do what needs to be done. My resilience comes from motherhood itself. As parents, we don’t get the luxury of giving up. We handle what’s in front of us—because we have to. And through that, we become stronger than we ever imagined.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I joined Mullen Plumbing full-time, bringing my organizational skills, work ethic, and leadership to help expand and strengthen the business. Today, I manage a team of employees, overseeing daily operations, customer service, and business growth.

What excites me most about my work is the impact we have on our customers’ lives. Plumbing may seem like a basic necessity, but it’s also a vital service that brings comfort, safety, and reliability to people’s homes and businesses. Whether we’re solving an emergency leak or helping a family upgrade their home, I take pride in knowing we deliver solutions that genuinely make a difference.

At Mullen Plumbing, we are committed to providing exceptional service, maintaining honest and transparent communication, and treating every customer with the care they deserve. Our goal is not just to fix plumbing issues—it’s to build long-term relationships and earn the trust of the communities we serve.

We are excited about the continued growth of Mullen Plumbing. We’ve recently expanded our service area and are in the process of investing in new equipment and technology to enhance efficiency and customer experience. Our focus moving forward is to continue building our reputation for reliability while scaling the business responsibly.

At the core of everything I do—both as a business owner and a mom—is the belief that hard work, determination, and heart are the keys to building something meaningful. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

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

1. Resilience:
Throughout my journey—from building a career in fashion to becoming a stay-at-home mom and then stepping into a leadership role at Mullen Plumbing—resilience has been essential. There were many moments when I felt overwhelmed, especially during the early years of our business, as we struggled to make ends meet. But resilience kept me going. It taught me to push through challenges, adapt to change, and stay focused on the bigger picture, even when things felt uncertain.

• Advice: For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace discomfort. Growth doesn’t happen in easy moments—it happens when you face adversity head-on. Be willing to take on difficult tasks, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward.

2. Adaptability and Willingness to Learn:
When I transitioned into running the operations at Mullen Plumbing, I had to learn an entirely new industry. I knew nothing about plumbing when I started, but I was willing to learn everything I could. I asked questions, absorbed knowledge from my husband and employees, and made it a point to become proficient in every aspect of the business—from managing finances to leading a team.

• Advice: Stay curious and open to learning, no matter where you are in your career. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s through mentorship, reading, or hands-on experience, knowledge is power—and the more you know, the more valuable you become.

3. Work Ethic and Grit:
Hard work has always been a core part of who I am. Whether I was working in fashion, raising my children, or running a business, I’ve given 100% of myself. Balancing motherhood and a growing business requires constant effort and sacrifice, but it has also shown me the value of persistence. Success doesn’t come overnight—it’s built through consistent, daily effort.

• Advice: My advice is to be relentless in the pursuit of your goals. Show up every day with the same level of determination, even when you feel like giving up. Success is often the result of simply outlasting the obstacles.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is step away and prioritize self-care. For me, working out is my go-to outlet. Whether it’s going to my favorite cardio class, lifting weights, or simply taking a walk, physical activity helps me clear my mind, release stress, and regain focus. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about creating space to reset mentally and emotionally.

I also remind myself that taking care of others—whether it’s my family, my employees, or my customers—starts with taking care of myself. When things get hectic, I make it a point to slow down, even if it’s just for a short time. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, getting some fresh air, or simply giving myself permission to pause, those small moments of self-care help me return stronger, more grounded, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mullenplumbinglbc.om
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mullenplumbing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmullenplumbing/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mullen-plumbing-signal-hill