Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tammy Ash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Tammy, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?
I was raised to always treat people the way that I want to be treated. You treat the janitor the same way you would the CEO of a company, because you never know what someone is going through. Thru my life I have always been an Empath so it’s been very easy for me to connect with people and to get on their level.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a mobile Hair Stylist that specializes in the hair and nail care for the severely disabled, hospice, dementia, autistic, mental health, Veteran, homebound and hospital confined communities. My goal is to make sure that everyone feels like they have access to hair and nail care regardless of their situation in life.
Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, so I come to them in their homes, hospitals or facilities around the KC Metro area. I live in Richmond, MO and I travel up to 1 hour & 15 minutes one way in all directions. I started my company nine years ago with zero clients and I currently have 79 companies that send me clients. This includes hospice companies and all the major hospitals around Kansas City.
I am so extremely proud of myself, because I literally started my company with nothing but a desire to be successful and I’ve made it into what it is today! It never ceases to amaze me when someone calls me to schedule an appointment, because each time is like the very first time, it never gets old!
I recently decided to become a Notary again to offer services to my clients that need things notarized, because my clientele can’t get out to have this done, so it’s a needed service just like my hair and nail services are for them. I want Designs by Ash, LLC to be expanded to include as many in home services as possible to better serve my clients to the best of my ability.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First I would say you must have the drive to succeed, without that, you won’t go very far, because owning a business isn’t for the weak. It takes non stop work, very few days off, and you fail or you succeed, it’s all on you!
Second, know your area of expertise and use your skills to your advantage. Don’t try to be like everyone else, be yourself. Your reputation will always be at stake, so never stop trying to learn new things! I’ve been a Stylist and Nail Tech for 34 years, but I decided to keep bettering myself so in turn my company was more appealing to my clients. I got my certificate in Dementia Care, Autism Awareness & Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Illness so I can better understand my clients and be on their level so they are comfortable with me. I also got my diploma in Human Resources and a diploma in Business Administration, because you never know what will happen cause things can change in the blink of an eye and I want to be prepared for life outside of being a Stylist if need be.
Lastly, utilize every free marketing options you can to promote yourself and your company such as Facebook & word of mouth. Another good option is the Dot card option which is a digital business card that you can text people so you always have it with you and you never miss an opportunity to sell yourself and your services! This is also a good business move, because it’s only $20 and saves so much money on business cards that you most likely will never have with you all the time! You are in this to make money, so these are the best tips I can give anyone looking to start out on their journey! You’ve got this!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for individuals, hospice companies, etc that have clients that could utilize my services! As stated before, I am a mobile Stylist and Nail Tech, I do haircuts, color, perms, and specialize in severely matted hair. I also do nail and toenail trim and file.
My company runs on the support of everyone that sends me clients of their own or their family members, so please get with me or tell your employer, employees and family/friends about my services!
You can view my website at www.designsbyashllc.com, all my contact info is available on https://dot.cards/ashtam916 which is where you can click and easily save it to your phone so you have it and can share with others, or you can call or text me at 816-517-4673. I usually always answer, but if I can’t, leave me a message or text me and I’ll get right back to you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.designsbyashllc.com
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-ash-7445785a
