Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rogers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I originally began my love of crafts at a very young age. I started around six years old going to summer camps focused on jewelry and crafts. As an only child, my mother would buy things that I could play alone. Including many crafts sets from Walmart. No matter where I would go, I would always carry two things: a book and my craft bag.
As I grew older, I mainly focused on jewelry. Going into stores, looking at all of the cute pieces then going home to try and recreate them. I learned so much this way. I would make jewelry for local family and friends and later creating pieces for wedding parties and etc.
I visited a few craft and vendor shows and found that the jewelry market was highly saturated. I sat down and figured everyone loves something that is “made just for them”. This led me to the customization and bling business. I started small making things for friends and family around 2016. By 2017, I started investing more into my business and moving into online marketplaces such as Etsy and Storenvy. This grew my business into more than what I could’ve imagined.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road was not smooth at all. There has been plenty of failed attempts especially when first learning. Money was lost as well as time.
My advice to young women would be to take your time, it’s your race no one else’s. Set small goals and achieve them and you can move on to the bigger ones. Save and always invest in yourself. Never stop learning and trying to perfect your craft. A rule of thumb for me is every night, once in bed, I take about 20 minutes to research and learn something new about my craft.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Krave Designs – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Currently, I make custom bling items, such as Converse and shirts as well as tumblers. My biggest consumers currently are children. I create what I call “Bling Character Shoes”. Most of the time, specifically for birthday parties.
I’m so proud of my business and the instant joy that someone gets when they open their package. The smiles on a little one’s face or the excitement a bride gets when receiving their shoes is what makes me happy. I get joy from being able to do that for others.
My attention to detail and quest for perfection in the customer’s eye is what I believe what sets me apart from others. Every day I create something wonderful not because it’s my job, but because it’s what I love.
Who have you been inspired by?
First and foremost I would have to say my mother and grandmother simply because of their perseverance to keep going no matter what got in their way.
I would also have to say the other women in the same business I have followed some of them for years. They have taught me so many intangible things and how to effectively run a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kravedesigns.storenvy.com
- Phone: 979-661-3730
- Email: kravedesigns@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kravedesigns8400
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kravedesigns
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/kravedesigns84
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