We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Bourque. Check out our conversation below.
Ashley, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I feel like being a working mother epitomizes losing track of time. There is always something to be done, someone who needs you, and tasks to accomplish. There is a huge internal dichotomy between losing track of time for the things that “need to get done” and losing track of time by being a present and good mom. I am choosing both.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ashley Bourque. I am an event planner in Tennessee. We do all kinds of social and corporate events, ranging from weddings, to music industry events, to after parties, to fundraisers. We are a tight knit group and we love to make each event unique by really getting to know our clients and making the events personalized, instead of generic. We also travel frequently to do events around the country!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband is the reason I am a business owner today. I credit him with the start of Silver Celebrations. I had been doing events for years, but it wasn’t until he nudged me to go full time that I finally did it. To me, it was a side project and a fun outlet – the fear of jumping into it was scary! He supported it, convinced me to do it, even helped coordinate some events on his own – and we have been all in ever since!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Always be you. Don’t even bend your beliefs, actions, personality, or looks to mold into what other people want you to be. Whether that be a relationship, family, social construct, etc — the most freeing and powerful you can feel, is when you take back your own power, dignity, and beliefs, and fully accept them. When you are truly who YOU are as a person, no one can take that from you.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think anyone who truly knows me, knows that my kids and husband matter most to me in this world. You can strip me of anything and everything, but i would fight for them with everything I have, and nothing else matters. They would also say that the health and wellness of my family and friends is of utmost importance. I like to do things holistically and get to the root of issues to make better choices for our minds and bodies that will affect future generations of my family.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Caring what others thought of me, my beliefs, or my actions. I would take every moment I could to tell my people that I love them. I would travel, I would worry less, I would doomscroll less, and I would see more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.silvercelebrationsnashville.com
- Instagram: @silvercelebrations
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleysbourque/
- Facebook: @silvercelebrations
Image Credits
Smith Creative Co.
