Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Zelaya.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a proud owner of a small business named Ashter Designs. As I grew up, I became really in love with socializing and interacting with new people that walking into a sales came naturally to me. When I was young, my parents were financially struggling, so I thought we needed to come up with something that will help my parents financially, my big idea was for my mom to sell homemade food to our close friends so we could be able to pay off bills and food. This went from selling to friends to neighborhoods, knowing all about us. As years went by, I got to college and was working a full-time job to pay off school. I was also modeling part-time. Unfortunately, covid-19 hit and I was laid off from work and lost many modeling opportunities. I was struggling financially with bills and school, that I felt I had to come up with something to pay for school and graduate! Graduating and making my parents proud was always my motivation to not give up, so I came up with another big idea which was to start my small business which led to Ashter Designs.
I started creating custom t-shirts for friends, my parents, family members and posting on my modeling page on Instagram so I could get the word out which led to friends of friends to hear about my business. It was going great to say the least I was able to stay on top of school payments. I was selling many custom t-shirts that then it hit me why not expand and make more items that are customizable that can be gifted during special occasions. Which then led to me selling custom keychains, tumblers, tote bags, puzzles, and so many more items. So I guess you can say being an entrepreneur started at a tiny age and definitely did not stop there. I have recently started working on a hairline product for curly hair, so very soon ill be dropping a hairline product. As I was growing up, I always had very curly hair and no matter what I put in my hair, nothing seemed to do the trick to help my curls stay in place and even stop them from frizzing up. So I came up with a hair product that will help frizz, moisturizing, and holding curls in place through a long day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely was not a smooth road. During covid not a lot of people had jobs so not many had money to purchase items but I never let that bring me down. I would always manage to work around the customer’s budget specially since we were in mid-crisis but still made sure I made a profit to continue my small business going. I lost many modeling opportunities because not along of socializing was going on due to covid so I used my modeling page to help Ashter Designs get more views and for people to see what I was selling. It sorta became my advertisement platform.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ashter Designs?
My small business makes customizable items to gift to loved ones. From making memorials of a loved one to printing best memories on items for long-lasting memories. I think what sets me apart from everyone else is that not only am I passionate for creativity but also helping my customers gifts to their families without spending too much. I always like to help customers out and provide cheaper alternatives to items they would like to buy so they can stay in their budget.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
TikTok and Instagram help me a lot, I love listening to John C. Maxwell on how to be a great leader and have a successful business.
Pricing:
- Tumblers $25
- Puzzles $10
- Phone cases $ 15
- Key Chains 2/$10
- Tshirts Starting @ $15
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/ashterdesigns
- Other: instagram.com/ashter_forever
