Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Alfred.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I never imagined myself being a beauty industry professional. Ever. My whole life I made A’s and B’s and my parents were real serious about my brothers and I going to college. So that’s what I did! But even with them driving me in that direction, I was always the creative… and I loved using my hands. So on the side, I would always do hair for my friends and my cousin would even come over to let me cut her hair at 16! Once I got to college the word spread really quick about me doing hair but I always out everything else before my own passion. After four years of being overwhelmed with life, ending a toxic relationship, dead-end jobs, I started going to church with my cousin and fell in love with God and started to discover ASHLEY! I quit my job & it was my senior year in college so I started doing hair on the days I didn’t have class!
About two months before graduation, I enrolled in an Aveda cosmetology school that was an hour and a half away from my home town in Louisiana because it was the best around! I struggled through at the beginning because of the commute and lack of moral support. As a college graduate, people didn’t take “hair school” seriously! They thought of it as a plan B. So once I got my mind right, I promised myself that either I wasn’t going to do it or I was going to be the absolute best I could be and give it everything. So I did and I haven’t looked back since! Now I not only do hair, I am also a cosmetology instructor and plan to start doing my own classes in the future.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I was extremely blessed coming out of cosmetology school! My first week working I made over $2000+ and it blew my mind the way God had blessed me consistently over the years. I was self-employed, doing what I love, young, single, living life on my own terms and was even blessed to buy my dream car at 25! My struggles began when I decided to step out of that comfort zone and move to Houston a year ago! I came here because I wanted to branch out and give myself more room to grow. But the difference here is that I’ve literally had to start from scratch! Very little friends and family and even fewer who are willing to pay without asking for that friendly discount. So taking on a new city, no clients, as well as going back to school for my instructors license has been my battle since moving here but as I build and grow I know that this season of my life will help me be a better leader, business owner, and educator because before I didn’t understand what people went through not being booked and busy. Like I literally never had slots available for weeks at a time and now I’m learning how to reach new people, market myself, and rebuild a clientele from people that know nothing about me! So actually putting what I teach and learned in school into action.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ashlee Live Beauty – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
“Ashlee Live Beauty Co.” is my business and basically it’s my own little umbrella of beauty services. I am a hairstylist first and foremost! I love hair, whether it’s natural, extensions, color, cuts, everything! I’m known for my weaving installs, hair color, and silk presses! My installs last long and are super comfortable for the client and safe for healthy hair growth. I also do makeup, lash extensions, brow tinting and waxing and teach/coach stylists and future stylists in technical and practical skills. I’m most proud of the fact that I taught myself to do all of my own marketing and branding, and I’m diligent about continued education! I want to be as sharp as I can so I travel to shows and take classes anytime I can. I think what sets me apart is my professionalism and the fact that I’m not just doing this for money or clout. I actually love this industry and respect It and the people I serve! I care about their hair, hair they look & feel, and I don’t mind helping and supporting them on their journey.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the future, I want to get into product development and education more! I want to teach my own classes and have a team that educates in and outside of schools. I’m so big on education because this industry is changing so much so quickly I believe it’s up to us, as professionals, to protect it.
Pricing:
- Bundle start at $75
- Installs start at $120
- Natural hair services start at $65
Contact Info:
- Website: Ashleelivebeauty.com
- Phone: 3378022793
- Email: ashleelivebeauty@gmail.com
- Instagram: Ashleelivebeauty
- Facebook: Ashleelivebeauty
Image Credit:
@lovelaystudios, Alelia Jackson, @ashleelivebeauty, Ashley Alfred
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