Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Nevar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Nevar.

Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
To tell you how I got to where I am today, I feel the need to touch on the pain that led to the thriving life and business I now am blessed by. As a young girl, I’ve always had an affinity for fashion. I remember drawing designs while watching style network and just dreaming of what it would be like to exist within that world. During summers I would spend time at my aunt’s boutique, where she taught me how to sew and create buttons and necklaces with polymer clay and other material. She always encouraged creativity. I didn’t realize it then, that these moments helped lay the foundation for a lot of the skills that I use today. I didn’t have the most picturesque childhood. After my parents divorced when I was 7, my mom remarried a man that was severely abusive. There were nights that I would stay awake praying that I didn’t fall asleep and wake up to him on top of my sister or myself. To escape home life, I chose to leave at the age of 16. This season was very dark, and by 19 I found myself homeless with nowhere else to go. I was lost without much understanding of my worth or identity.

I hit rock bottom and went on a search again for hope. I specifically remember a moment in which I finally turned to God in prayer, begging to be rescued. Up until this point, I continuously blamed my past and circumstances, but I was ready to turn from the life I was living regardless of how I got there. I was done blaming my past and was ready to take charge of my life. Soon, a family I had known since I was younger chose to take me in. They saw my wounds, knew I needed rest, and were prepared to help me rebuild my life. During this time of growth and trust-building, I was restored and transformed by the selfless love of a family that I now call my own. Through this journey of healing, I once again felt hopeful and that I had a future worth fighting for. I found a successful career in marketing and sales and have worked for companies like Apartments.com and Comcast. I finally felt that the switch had been flipped. A life that had once been filled with strife was truly thriving.

In time, I met my husband. We both knew very quickly that we were both the answer to each other’s prayers. He was all that I had dreamed of in a man; his integrity, kindness, and depth moved me beyond the superficial things I had experienced in past relationships. We eloped in a sweet little Nashville chapel and decided to start our exciting new life together. We moved from all I knew in Florida to his hometown in Tennessee.

During this transition, I hit an unexpected low. Out of nowhere, I began to experience severe depression, crippling anxiety, & traumatic sleepless nights of terror. It was a pit that I didn’t know how to get out of. I was a survivor, I was strong, and I was very much healed of my past, so I didn’t understand why this was happening to me. During this time of hopelessness, I didn’t have much to be joyful about. As an outlet, I began exploring my urge to create. I started crafting and one day decided to make myself a pair of earrings. This soon became something I spent hours doing. It began to inspire me and help lift my mind off of what I was going through. Soon something beautiful began to blossom. I started getting better day by day and making friends through my hobby. Suddenly I realized my desire to build a brand.

As success grew, I felt a strong purpose building within my reach, I saw a future where my styles were on runways, and I was designing for celebrities. I saw the possibility of impact for women who were broken. In this peek into a world of possibility, I had a decision to make; go for it and take it all the way, or forever keep my newfound passion a side hobby always wondering what could have been.

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?
In the process of growing AFN, I have found a great community in the Nashville and surrounding area. I got plugged into social events and networking memberships. I found such valuable friendships with women that support and encourage me. I began to love sitting in the presence of people more knowledgeable and successful than myself. In this process, I was sharpened, given great wisdom. I found the importance of self-growth and time + wealth management. Because of mentorship, a lot of heartaches that I think I could have faced in building a business from nothing have been for the most part avoided. I ask lots of questions and call on those that I trust. I consider who I surround myself with. I think my past has also taught me to place a high value on people and at the same time be protective of my heart and what I am building. My husband is also someone who I lean on in this journey. He has helped me so much as a partner who can see the things I cannot. There have been challenges to navigate of course. I find myself stretched daily and having to conquer a new weakness or become an expert in foreign ideas or concepts. Although this can be challenging, I am thankful and I try to face these challenges optimistically with my dreams and goals at the forefront of my mind. I have big hopes and the hard things will come but they present themselves as an opportunity to graduate to greater levels.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create High Fashion Statement Jewelry. My brand aims to inspire confidence, strength, and purpose through our designs and focus. I spend time studying high fashion trends and pull from the creativity of what inspires me most (art, poetry, interior design, nature, etc.) so that I can continue to create fresh designs that are both original and relevant! I love curating beautiful and intricate wedding earrings that are both modern and timeless. I have found great joy in helping style brides and creating looks for the everyday stylish icon.

I want women and men to feel like the icons that they are. Every person is meant to bring hope to another person. My heart is that people who wear my designs feel confident when they walk into a business meeting or help them muster up the courage when they attend a dinner they are nervous about. My hope is that through a mere accessory they are transformed to believe who they are in moments when they feel weak. There is something beautiful that happens when we put on our favorite outfit and accessorize, it’s like armoring up for whatever the day may bring. It also can be a reflection of the passion we hold within. I believe extravagant style is not reserved for runway models and the elite, but for the person who decides they have something beautiful inside worth displaying. High fashion and affordability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It’s about walking in confidence in the way you choose to carry yourself. I like to think that style is just one avenue to express the inward to the outward world. We love to marvel at the beauty in nature, and stunning art, and architecture. It pulls out the dreamer in us; it helps us to connect with excitement and creativity within. Passion provokes passion, and when we live out our passions we change the world around us.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Ways that people can connect and collaborate with our brand is to follow us along in our journey through social media and our website. We love reading your reviews on Google if you have purchased or worked with us! A like or tag, a share of our page with a bride-to-be, or really anyone that may be interested in our earrings and styles goes a long way! We also welcome when people reach out to be a part of photoshoots with our designs. We constantly have pop-ups and that helps us get connected. If you are interested in hosting a pop-up or a house party, feel free to reach out! If you’re a designer that wants to collaborate, we love that too! I think that community is the biggest way to connect and support us and any business on a path to grow.

Pricing:

• Earrings avg from $25-80

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@ashfromnash.com
• Website: ASHFROMNASH.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash.from.nash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASHFRMNASH/

Image Credits
Kylie Hull