Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Chaney.
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?
As a previous bridal hair stylist and make-up artist in South Florida, I started my adventure in clothing and accessories in 2015 after the birth of my oldest son Aiden Blake. After a couple of years we decided to pack up and move to Orlando and I had to pause my previous business but in, 2018 I was inspired by the birth of my daughter Teagan Ava to once again dive into my real passion of children’s and adult’s clothing and accessories. We were able to grow a tiny following but by the beginning of 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my youngest son and we had to shut down again due to Covid. In the fall of 2021 things started to calm down enough that I felt comfortable to start venturing out and selling again. To say we were shocked when our sales exploded is an understatement.
Alright, 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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, raising two children at the time and running a business is definitely hard, add in the pandemic and third baby things got crazy and we had to shut down until fall of 2021.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I hand make vegan leather bows, some include handmade clay centers, we also make accessories and I are now carrying clothing made by other mom made small businesses. I am most proud of being able to help provide for my family and to teach my children that you should pursue your passion in life and that just because you are a mom it doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself in the process.
What sets our business apart is that it involves the entire family. My Dad Steve helps make and design bows, and he is generally always with me when we do markets or art shows. He’s definitely a favorite of the little ones.
My husband Brian who during his real life is a flight nurse and ground transfer nurse steps in with my mom Heidi to help with our three kids Aiden, Teagan and Liam. He also makes sure I eat and drink during busy times. My best friend Amanda handles our social media and product photos. So we are definitely a family business through and through.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We can be found most Sunday’s at the Waterford Lakes Sunday Market, and on Saturday nights at the food truck fiesta in Sanford. We have a calendar on our website Avablakecreation.com that can tell you where you can find us every month of the year as we do a lot of events.
Pricing:
- Our bows start at $5 and clothing at $12
Contact Info:
- Email: Avablakecreations1@gmail.com
- Website: Www.avablakecreation.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/avablakecreations1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Avablakecreations/
