Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Lee.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I worked in child welfare for over 14 years. In November, 2019, My mother had a massive stroke that she didn’t recover from. At that time she couldn’t speak, didn’t know who we were or who she was, she could only drink shakes, and she couldn’t walk because she was partially paralyzed on the right side of her body. I worked for a non-profit at the time. I had worked there for 12 years. I was highly regarded by community partners to include attorneys, judges, and CPS caseworkers. The non-profit wasn’t supportive of what I was dealing with during that time. My boss took advantage of my suffering and made it about her. I mean she watched everything I did and went so far to say I wasn’t engaged in a meeting. She was very self-absorbed. I parted ways with that non-profit organization less than 3 months after my mother’s stroke.
While being my mother’s full-time caregiver she made GREAT strides in her recovery. During that time KreativeLee Yours Designs was formed. I specialize in wood decor as well as wreaths, shirts, cups, and custom gifts. I turned my suffering into success. I researched and learned all sorts of things. I had never used a power tool in my life. Yet there I was with a power drill, jigsaw, and brad nailer. My husband supported me and bought many of my tools. My daddy sewed into my business by buying me a Miter Saw! My friends and family encouraged me when I wanted to give up. The rest is history, 2 years later, I’ve launched many collections and I started a second business, KreativeLee Yours Digitals. I sell digital files for DIYers. I’m also working on my 3rd business which will be a craft supply company. I am currently working on sourcing and branding! I recently bought an embroidery machine and a sewing machine. The sky is the limit! I never thought I’d turn in card keys to an employer’s office and hold card keys for my OWN office. But GOD!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It most certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been plenty of projects that didn’t go as planned, money wasted, and tears of frustration shed. One struggle was not knowing what would sell. I remember making all of these round signs for a craft show. I allowed our neighbor to convince me to do it without doing my own research. It was an EPIC fail. That year we took a huge loss and those rounds were just sitting in bins in our garage! However, true to my being I turned it around. I started learning Marketing skills, attended webinars, and learned what was trending. I have had some very successful seasons! No more struggling.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At KreativeLee Yours Designs, we specialize in all things wood decor. We pride ourselves in custom pieces. From wall decor, to porch decor, to tiered tray/bookshelf signs, to stovetop and sink covers! We cut our own wood rounds. The largest custom piece we did was a seal for the Harris County Sheriff’s department. It was 42 inches round and came out beautifully!
While we are known for all things home decor, we started out making shirts and cups as a hobby and only sold them to friends and family members. We will always stay true to our humble beginnings. We have done shirts for the first day of school, for birthday trips, cruises, and beyond!
I am most proud of my creative mind and the ability to bring the vision of our customers to fruition! Many times customers have a vision that is very creative. Many times it includes pulling different ideas into one creative piece. Most times our customers say, it turned out so much better than they ever could’ve imagined! That’s what we strive for!
KreativeLee Yours Designs is set apart from others because we aren’t just taking others’ designs and making them our own. I actually will wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and write it down. We strive to create unique pieces. While it may look similar to another piece, it will not be the same. There will NEVER be a time that I look at another business and replicate that exact piece and pass it off as my own. I am a person of integrity and character. I know a business that does that and she actually takes my designs. Whenever it is brought to my attention that she has taken one of my designs, I discontinue it and create a new product. The idea is to stand out not fit in!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am happy to work with and collaborate with other businesses. One of my favorite phrases is that we are better together! To work with and/or collaborate with me please just reach out to me. Let’s talk and see what we can do! My email address is Hello@kreativeleeyours.com
To support me please visit my Etsy shop at www.kreativeleeyours.Etsy.com or www.kreativeleeyours.com.
If you don’t see something you like, reach out to me. Let me see if I can create something that is KreativeLee Yours. 🙂
Pricing:
- Wood Rounds $65
- Deco Mesh Wreaths $75
- Door Leaners Range $35-$65
- Framed Wood Signs Range $45-$85
- Custom Faux Vase $65
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@kreativeleeyours.com
- Website: www.kreativeleeyours.Etsy.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/kreativeleeyours_designs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KreativeLeeYoursDesigns/
