We recently had the chance to connect with Ashley Toman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I wouldn’t necessarily say “misunderstood” but i wear several hats, so i think some view me as an artist, some view me as a songwriter, some as a businesswoman etc but the truth is, i am all of those things. My journey started as a singer as a young child, I was always singing- i knew from a very early age what I wanted to do with my life. I had this hunger in me since as long as I could remember. Music always made me happy and brought me joy, so I continued following that path. The path has somewhat realigned through the years, but i feel like I’ve stayed true to who i am regardless of the journey changing somewhat. Songwriting took over a few years ago and then I started my own business helping other artists and songwriters and now i wear several hats but i feel at the end of the day it’s all intertwined into one- which is music. It may look different than it used to be, but I think that’s the beautiful part about it. It doesn’t have to be one thing that’s the focus, i no longer focus solely on my own artistry which has brought me peace. Writing for others truly makes me happy, and helping other artists on their journeys, but i still release music and perform and pour into my own artist project. It’s quite beautiful to watch how the journey has transformed the way it has & i believe everything happens for a reason to bring you to exactly where you need to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ashley Toman. I’m a singer/songwriter and business owner. I started in musical theater as a child when then led me to living in Nashville and pursuing country music to then getting really heavy in the R&B scene of Houston to then relocating to LA & splitting my time between Houston & LA & then starting my own business where i help artists with services such as- co-writing, songwriting, consulting, vocal lessons etc. it’s been a beautiful journey! With many many ups and downs! I think that’s what makes the journey that much worth while, is what we go through, and how we get through it and persevere!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I love this question. I think as a child, before you experience some of what life throws at you, there’s this innocence about you, or at least for me- where i was blind to the negativity of the world. I had such confidence and bliss where i noticed the further i went in my career, maybe that dimmed a bit at times, due to the weight of the world. I think the important thing is to never lose that spark and that fire behind why you do what you do. I recently wrote a song called “turn on your light” about finding your light despite whatever you’re going through, and I believe that everything I’ve gone through, i still carry a light within. I know even on my worst day, it’s still present. I think it’s important to never lose that. I think the world can be very cruel at times, telling you who you should be, what you should fix about yourself etc. sometimes that can be confusing especially when you feel you have a gift and you’re just honing into the gift but maybe it isn’t good enough for others or up to their standards. None of that matters. The only thing that matters is remaining true to yourself no matter what negativity comes your way. So I think i always go back to that inner child in a way, young ash- and I remember her spark and her confidence and the little me sometimes inspires me to continue on and hold onto my light and spark regardless of how the world can sometimes make you feel. We all have that inner child, and I just hope I’m making her proud.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Wow, so many! So many times i just felt like I couldn’t continue on with music or it wasn’t working anymore. Or I even questioned if it was my true purpose. But I always go back to believing, if it was meant to be let go of, it would have happened along time ago. I didn’t come this far just to come this far. I believe things can shift and realign, but it’s all apart of our destiny- pushing us to that next level and where we need to go. But yes, I’ve almost given up so many times- but for some reason I kept going. And I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the focus on numbers and fads should never be the primal focus of why you’re doing what you’re doing. For example, of course marketing and numbers matter- however, if you’re operating JUST off of numbers and popularity, it’ll never feel genuine. I think when you create something that feels authentic and real, it’ll always give you purpose. That’s key number one. Secondly comes the strategy and numbers etc. obviously to sustain something and be successful, numbers DO matter, but focusing solely off that won’t ever give you that true satisfaction if you’re just aiming for the number game or to see success when your hearts not in it. Thats something I’ll always stand behind.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
For sure. I think that’s why they say be careful what you wish for, you might just get it and you might not have actually wanted that. I think that’s why it’s important to know what you want before executing. I used to feed into the numbers game more than I do now and even the whole artist thing. I see things differently now, and I truly don’t focus my whole life on my artistry anymore- it doesn’t feed my soul the way it once did. Writing songs and recording makes me super happy, but that doesn’t mean I want to go on a tour and exhaust myself just to prove a point. When your hearts not in it 100% it’s best not to focus on it and give something your all that doesn’t feel aligned anymore. And that’s not to say I never want to release music or perform, because I absolutely love to perform and write music that I sometimes release- however, I don’t feel this pressure I once did, when it comes to the artist career. I think it’s important to be mindful of what you do what, so you can put your energy into the things that feel aligned.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: AshleyToman
- Twitter: @ashleytoman
- Facebook: AshleyTomanMusic
- Youtube: AshleyToman
