Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Burrell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Dreaming is so liberating – it fuels excitement and contributes to joy and a hope for the future.
One thing that genuinely makes me happy is helping others, in any capacity. I also love building, creating, making something out of nothing… even laying my eyes on something so simple and drawing inspiration from it. All those things aided in the conception of Jem Design Co.
I entered a place in my life a few years ago where I found myself surrounded by like-minded friends and most of our gatherings were centered around something or someone, to celebrate – birthdays, bridal showers, engagement parties, weddings, graduations- even store openings and business launches! I gladly took it upon myself to make invitations for the group text or for creating a graphic to frame for the event at hand. Birthday party invites and invitations to small, intimate events turned into creating logo’s and designing shirts for the same girls who had something in common with me that was so sacred: dreaming.
Cue the nursery music, this is the part where Jem Design Co. was birthed. I loved playing a part in my loved one’s celebrations, and even contributing to their dreams and business ventures by taking care of their graphic design needs. Why not do it for others as well? And why not share my creations for others to use and maybe even wear? Creating an invitation, banner or shirt design has been such an honor. To help create something that will celebrate a life event or something that was cultivated in someone’s mind truly gives me joy.
Jem Design Co. stands on “Create. Design. Dream.” and we want to help others do just that- especially the latter one. I encourage everyone to dream- start a business, do what they love, and most importantly to utilize the gifts they were born with. If you dream it, I’ll help you create and design it. Jem’s purpose is to help others design their vision and bring their dreams to life.
Jem Design Co. is my dream, my vision that’s become a reality.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Even in Jem’s infancy, it’s seen it’s fair share of challenges. Mostly everything I’ve put my hands to, I’ve mastered it by being self-taught. This business has required nights of little sleep and a lot of dedication. Without the passion, this venture would’ve fizzled out. But after each obstacle comes victory when you choose not to give up. And with victory comes strength for the next obstacle that arises.
Being a teenage mother at fourteen was a challenge in and of itself. I decided to do all that I could to make sure my daughter and I would live a good life and that I would still be able to pursue my dreams and also to show her that she could do whatever she set her mind to. After high school, I went on to college and graduated Magna Cum Laude from UHV in four and a half years while I worked and raised my Emi. Obstacles didn’t stop after receiving a college education, but I pressed. Victory is in the pressing – the uncomfortable, and sometimes painful stages of life that tend to squeeze you.
I share my previous season to say if I can overcome, surely you can too! You’re not alone in this, never forget that.
Now that I hold a newly given title of wife combined with the ministry on top of the mom life and temporarily- mandatory office job life, I find that one of my current and biggest obstacles is time. In these moments I let my vision and my dreams be the fuel that makes it happen. Even when Jem expands and allows me to work the business full time, there will still be struggles, just different ones.
Finances, the unknown, and a busy lifestyle among many other things have met Jem straight in the face, but I choose (daily) to work until this dream and business venture is fully manifested.
Stick to your journey, there are more for you than against you. I stand with you as well.
what should we know about Jem Design Co.? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Jem Design Co. started off with creating digital invitations (birthdays, bridal showers, save the dates, puppy parties[!!!], baby showers) and now takes on anything that can be printed. We love creating banners and we’ve gotten a few business cards for upcoming entrepreneurs under our belt.
One of our newest items is the greeting cards that we’re so excited about. So far, our cards have ties to our Texas (and Hispanic) roots and the ones in production will resonate with woman and men alike who have a sense of humor and appreciate the uniqueness of the cards. Our next venture on the agenda are journals and planners and by the looks of it a wedding invitation or two!
In the initial months of cultivating Jem Design Co., we launched our Houston Inspired, Christ Centered line that currently features shirts, decals, and pins. Most people that know me personally know that I love people and I love all things Houston. If we hold a minimum of a 30-second conversation you’re automatically my new homie. All the merchandise created for this line will lead back to three words that we stand on – you are LOVED. So many Houstonians need to be reminded of that and some of our products were created to give to a stranger or someone we see on the street to let them know they aren’t alone and that they can overcome if they keep pushing. Jem will always stand with and for Houston. Houston most definitely has our heart.
The long-term vision for Jem Design Co. is to create jobs for adolescents, the homeless, ex-prisoners, and anyone else that is in need of a new start. The beautiful thing about this city is the unity, so I believe other fellow entrepreneurs, girl bosses, and companies will partner up with Jem to hire these individuals and help cultivate their gifts. Entrepreneurs bringing out the entrepreneurial skills in others will be a game changer for our city.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Social media is a key that can open the right marketing door that you need.
If you search the hashtags you use on a consistent basis, you’ll find dozens of others who share similarities with you. When you surround yourself with positive, like-minded people you can’t help but flourish. My closest friends have also become business partners and it’s been such a joy to meet clients through them, as well as bloggers and other small business owners in the city who want to see others succeed.
Environment is so important, scholars in the Psychology field say the first few years of life are the most influential in shaping someone’s life. So, it is with your business. Use any negativity that has come your way as a stepping stone towards the right influencers that can pour into you and will cheer you on as you run the race of your entrepreneurial journey.
Supporting other businesses and offering Jem’s services to anyone we meet has worked well in expanding our clientele. Most people I know (and more people than you may think) are all about supporting small businesses. If the followers or customers trickle in at a slower pace than you’d like to be sure to stay encouraged. A good foundation that will last is built with time, I speak that from first-hand experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squareup.com/store/jemdesignco
- Email: jemdesignco.create@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemdesignco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jemdesignco/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JemDesignCoCreate
Image Credit:
Soyreyes Photography
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