Meet Clint & Ashlee Treadway

We were lucky to catch up with Clint & Ashlee Treadway recently and have shared our conversation below.

Clint & Ashlee, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Clint:

I get my resilience from my stepfather, who became not only my mentor but also the greatest example of strength and kindness in my life. When he married my mom, he didn’t just take on a new wife—he embraced two new kids as his own, with love and unwavering commitment. From the very beginning, he showed me what it truly means to rise to a challenge and to lead with compassion.

He was a man of quiet strength and relentless hard work. Every single day, I watched him pour himself into his responsibilities, always doing his best for our family. Whether he was working long hours or fixing something around the house, he never let us see the weight of his struggles. What amazed me most was the way he approached life’s challenges—not with complaints or defeat, but with an unshakable belief that things could and would get better if you worked for it.

What makes his strength so special to me is the fact that he chose it. He chose us—his stepchildren—and he chose to lead with love and responsibility when he didn’t have to. His resilience wasn’t just about hard work; it was about the love he gave so freely and the belief that family was something you showed up for, no matter what.

His resilience wasn’t born from a need to prove anything to the world—it came from love, responsibility, and a belief that things could always be made better with effort and faith. He instilled that same belief in me. Every time I face a tough situation, I hear his voice reminding me to take one step at a time, to focus on what I can control, and to never give up.

Today, I carry his resilience with me like a torch, lighting my path even in the darkest moments. It’s not just a skill—it’s a mindset, a way of life that he passed down to me. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

Ashlee:

Resilience is something I’ve carried with me my entire life, shaped by the challenges I’ve faced and the love and lessons from the people who supported me. When I was just 7 years old, my mother passed away after a two-year battle with HIV. Losing her at such a young age left a void, but it also taught me early on about the fragility of life and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

My teenage years were especially difficult. Adjusting to life without my mom meant navigating adolescence with a heavy heart. But my grandmother became my anchor. No matter how much I stumbled, she always made me feel unconditionally loved and reminded me that falling doesn’t make you a failure—it means you’re learning. Her faith in me helped me find my footing and believe in myself.

At 17, I was on my own in the Bay Area, working my first job and never stopping since. This independence at such a young age taught me that I could handle whatever life threw at me. By 22, I had my son, and when I became a single mom by the time he was 1, I leaned on that same resilience to create a life for us. Those years of balancing work, parenting, and personal growth pushed me to my limits, but they also showed me how strong I could be for my child.

And then, years later, I met my husband, who reminded me that resilience doesn’t always mean going it alone. With him, I’ve started to embrace my “soft girl era” (or at least he’s trying to bring me there!). He reminds me that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and that asking for help doesn’t take away from my strength—it enhances it.
Through every chapter, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardships but about finding love, growth, and purpose within them. My journey has shaped me into someone who knows she is capable of so much yet unafraid to seek support when needed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Welcome to 100 Percent American, your go-to patriotic apparel boutique! We’re more than just a store—we’re a celebration of the American spirit, values, and traditions that make this country great. Through our carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories, we aim to inspire pride and unity in every customer we serve.

What makes our boutique truly special is the story behind it. 100 Percent American is proudly interracial-owned and operated by a Black female CEO. Our unique perspective is woven into every part of our brand, from the designs we offer to the customer experience we deliver. We’re passionate about showcasing the essence of the red, white, and blue while also embracing the diversity that makes America what it is.

One of our most exciting new launches is our Prophets Collection—a series dedicated to honoring influential figures who have shaped our nation’s history. The first piece in this collection is a t-shirt called “The Dream,” commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the immense sacrifice he made for our country. This design is not just a tribute to his legacy but also a reminder of the ongoing journey toward justice, equality, and unity.

Every piece in our collection is thoughtfully selected to reflect high-quality craftsmanship and authenticity. We believe in creating a shopping experience that’s not only enjoyable but also meaningful. Whether you’re gearing up for a Fourth of July celebration, looking for a unique gift, or simply embracing your love for America, we have something for you.

At 100 Percent American, we stand for pride, diversity, and the spirit of togetherness. We’d love for you to join us in celebrating all that makes this country special. Visit our website at www.onehundredpercentamerican.com and follow us on social media to stay updated on all the exciting things we have in store!

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?

Looking back, there are three qualities that have been the most impactful in shaping our journey: the value of hard work, kindness and respect, and the ability to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

1. Work Hard for Hard Work’s Sake
We’ve both learned the importance of working hard, not just for recognition or rewards, but for the satisfaction of knowing we gave our best effort. Hard work is about showing up consistently, even when the odds seem stacked against you. It’s a mindset that builds discipline and resilience, helping you push through challenges and achieve your goals.
Advice: Start by developing good habits like time management and goal-setting. Take pride in the process, not just the outcome, and remember that even small, consistent efforts add up to big results over time.

2. Be Kind and Respectful
Kindness and respect have always been guiding principles in our relationships and work. Treating others with empathy and dignity opens doors and builds trust, especially when navigating tough situations. It’s easy to be kind when things are going well, but true character shows in moments of adversity.
Advice: Practice active listening and look for opportunities to show gratitude, even in small ways. When faced with conflict, approach it with understanding rather than defensiveness. Kindness isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower.

3. Learn How to Fail so You Can Learn How to Succeed
Failure is inevitable, but it’s also one of life’s greatest teachers. Throughout our journey, we’ve faced setbacks head-on, whether it was adjusting to life without a parent, being young parents, or finding our footing in new environments. Every failure taught us something valuable, helping us grow stronger and wiser.
Advice: Redefine your relationship with failure. Instead of fearing it, view it as a necessary step toward success. Reflect on what went wrong, extract the lesson, and keep moving forward. Remember: falling isn’t failure—it’s staying down that is.

Ultimately, these qualities have shaped our resilience and passion for life. To anyone starting their journey, our advice is to stay true to these values, stay curious, and never stop believing in your ability to grow.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Our number one challenge is exposure—getting our brand, 100 Percent American, in front of the right audience. We truly believe in the quality and purpose behind our brand, but navigating the world of social media marketing has been difficult. With constant changes in algorithms and the challenge of cutting through the noise, it’s been tough to build the momentum we know our brand deserves.

Another challenge we face is political bias. Our brand is all about celebrating pride in our country, but we’ve found that this message can sometimes be polarizing. In today’s climate, patriotism is often viewed through a political lens, which has affected how people perceive and engage with our brand.

To tackle these challenges, we’re focusing on a few key strategies:

Social Media Marketing: We’re investing time and resources into learning how to effectively leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to reach our target audience. We’re experimenting with engaging content, possible partnerships with influencers who align with our values, and paid advertising campaigns to amplify our reach.

Promoting Our Message: We’re staying true to our conservative values by celebrating patriotism, hard work, and pride in America. Our goal is to connect with people who share our belief in the importance of faith, family, and freedom, while showing that love for our country is something that can unite us all.

Grassroots Engagement: We’re connecting with communities through pop-ups, local events, and collaborations to build personal relationships with customers and grow our network authentically.

While these challenges have been difficult, they’ve also pushed us to innovate and refine our approach. We’re confident that by staying true to our values and being intentional about how we connect with people, we’ll overcome these obstacles and build the exposure and understanding our brand deserves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.onehundredpercentamerican.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onehundredpercentamerican
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100PercentAmericanCo
• Twitter: https://x.com/100PcentAmerica

Image Credits

All photo and model credits provided through PlaceIt by Envato