Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Walker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
MsBeYouDoYou was born after I helped my friend with some images for her online store and launch of her storefront. After images released and we had a few small fashion shows at the location to introduce the collections, people thought we were doing big things in the industry and sought us out for help to start careers too. I knew we couldn’t help anyone without going a part of this distance ourselves, so I made the decision to step into the modeling world. The times we live in now are filled with such judgment and hate that I can hardly stand it, and people are genuinely walking around miserable trying to fit into the little boxes society forces us to conform to. As I searched for my lane in this industry and what message I wanted my brand to deliver, I knew that because I didn’t fit the mold of your stereotypical model I would have to just be me in all that I decided to do and pray that it was enough. With the help of Alfred Beverly of Charissolutionsphotography, we often found ourselves saying “Oh well, Be you do you, boo” and I, of course, tagged Ms on to it for a little ownership, and the rest was history!!!
I have been fortunate enough to grace the pages of QueenSize Magazine out of New York, BTFL Magazine, a magazine based in Baltimore Maryland, Snap Model Magazine, a California based magazine and walk the stages for Ashley Stewart in New York, The TCFStyle expo in Atlanta, 1426 Curves Fashion Week in Florida and Houston, National Curves Day Honors in Washington DC, was crowned Miss Fashion Week Plus Model of the year in Miami, District of Curves in Washington DC, shot with Lane Bryant in NYC during FFFWeek, and was able expand across international waters for my brand and voice to reach and empower as many souls as I could while walking for The Curvy Fest in Cancun Mexico.
I am also a published Fashion and Lifestyle blogger and launched my own blog in January 2017. Msbeyoudoyou.com provides my followers with doses of fashion, modeling tips, and encouragement to always “Walk Beyond the Standard” for their goals and dreams. My store is also available here with my latest apparel and products.
I am launched and am still building Fortify Talent, a consulting agency which is somewhere people of the Golden Triangle here in Texas, can come out to get resources and tools to cut their learning curves in half when working to build in the industry by first building themselves from the inside out and then taking those resources and tools to actually go out and establish real relationships and resumes through the art of networking and investing in themselves first.
I recently expanded my original MsBeYouDoYou merchandise released two years ago, to include my latest comfy-cozy-chic fashions that now makeup Apparel by MsBeYouDoYou! I decided to start an apparel line because I always wanted the MsBeYouDoYou line of products to be more than a glorified “t-shirt line”! I’m not a seamstress or a designer from start to finish, but I see my ideas holding so much more value than pieces to be stuffed into someone’s t-shirt drawer. I’m also a person who loves the authenticity and realness that comes with the messages and brands people choose to place on their bodies, and quite frankly I want my message to extend with the greatest reach and impact. What better way to empower and inspire the masses than to have your message on people’s bodies as they walk around?
So, I chose something as universal as fashion paired with my message in order to reach the people. My apparel line consists of those everyday pieces people love to pair with other fashion in their wardrobe. I’m offering everything from a crop top all the way to a full-on jumpsuit, delivering comfy-cozy vibes with a touch of chic through the ability to dress each piece up or down as desired. Paired with the right pieces and accessories, Apparel by MsBeYouDoYou can take you from work at the office in a blazer all the way to a hot T-shirt dress with heels to have an after five cocktails with your girlfriends. I am still creating and I intend to have something for everyone, but for now, my guys, babies, and kids can enjoy T-shirts, sweatshirts, and onesies as I cover all of my bases in your typical fashion forward household. I recently decided to leap and dive head first with it and did just that when I put 10 of my looks on the runway of my very first show on January 26th in my hometown of Beaumont Texas, An Iconic Night in Fashion.
Throughout my journey, I have found a passion and a niche for motivational speaking. I have been a speaker for a year now starting with my appearance to share the significance of “self love” in order to have a successful life in front of the attendees and members of the Nakid Foundation, which is an outreach organization to help build up young girls and young women of the community of SouthEast Texas. I was a speaker/panelist for the Curvy Summer Scene event in Galveston, Texas where I will share my take on “Walking Beyond the Standard” as it relates to the fashion industry. I was a model panelist for the Netwerq your Curves off an event at the end of 2018 in DC. I am booked for two Speaking engagements so far for panels in 2019, so that is something you will see me work to develop and execute to seal the deal for Msbeyoudoyou to be considered a real triple threat or should I say a quadruple threat in the industry!!! My mantra is to always “shoot your shot” while “walking beyond the standard”, for your goals and dreams and anything is possible. I am not just a model, fashion blogger, or motivational speaker, I am someone who has found passion in aiding in the success and happiness of others. I’m here to empower, uplift, inspire, promote self-love, exude body positivity, innovate, transcend beauty standards while fueling you to simply be you and do you as you Live and Love every minute of your life while doing the same for mine of course!!!
I don’t even believe a smooth road to anything great exists, there’s always work and sacrifice to be done in order to reach your greatest potential. The industry I spend so much of my blood sweat, tears, time, and money in at first glance doesn’t choose me, but it’s what I love and where I want to be. I can either consider that a struggle or I can utilize that to fuel me to continue to work hard, invest in myself, show up and shoot my shot, and I choose to do the ladder. I want to say to all the young people out there that are currently being told they can’t do something, that they aren’t the right fit, that what they want to do is not common for them or most people are usually unsuccessful at it, I tell them to block it all out and to remember that every single extraordinary happening most likely started outside of a box, and to continue walking beyond the standard and never hesitate to shoot their shot for all of their goals and dreams
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t even believe a smooth road to anything great exists, there’s always work and sacrifice to be done in order to reach your greatest potential. The industry I spend so much of my blood sweat, tears, time, and money in at first glance doesn’t choose me, but it’s what I love and where I want to be. I can either consider that a struggle or I can utilize that to fuel me to continue to work hard, invest in myself, show up and shoot my shot, and I choose to do the ladder. I want to say to all the young people out there that are currently being told they can’t do something, that they aren’t the right fit, that what they want to do is not common for them or most people are usually unsuccessful at it, I tell them to block it all out and to remember that every single extraordinary happening most likely started outside of a box, and to continue walking beyond the standard and never hesitate to shoot their shot for all of their goals and dreams.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Msbeyoudoyou – what should we know?
Msbeyoudoyou can be considered a real triple threat or should I say a quadruple threat in the industry!!! What sets me apart following and sharing my mantra which is to “always shoot your shot, while walking beyond the standard for your goals and dreams” then anything is possible. I am not just a model, fashion blogger, or motivational speaker, I am someone who has found passion in aiding in the success and happiness of others. I’m here to empower, uplift, inspire, promote self-love, exude body positivity, innovate, transcend beauty standards while fueling you to simply be you and do you as you Live and Love every minute of your life while doing the same for mine of course!!!
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Some of the biggest barriers to female leadership honestly, I’d have to regretfully admit, others females. Especially in my industry, others are just waiting to cut you down and a vast percentage of those people are women just like me. The moment we all decide to understand that we can create more opportunities to win with collaboration over competition and theirs enough food out there for us all to eat, there will be no stopping females rise to leadership. Until then, we are our worse enemies.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.msbeyoudoyou.com
- Phone: 4094553695
- Email: msbeyoudoyou@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instgram.com/msbeyoudoyou
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleywalker
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/msbeyoudoyou
Image Credit:
Charis Solutions Photography, Pdrewphotography
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