Life & Work with Ashley Wilson

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

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?
My husband is in artist management here in Nashville and I started out by styling his clients and other artist for award shows, photoshoots, etc. A friend of mine and I decided to start a boutique shortly after and we started an Instagram account for the hopeful clothing boutique named Beau & Arrow Nashville. We would add fashion looks to the account while we were working on getting the store up and going. I decided I wanted to be a stay at home mom and dropped the boutique but kept the Instagram account. Eventually, I changed the name to Beaus & Ashley to be inclusive of the additions of my two sons and husband. It’s grown from a fashion account to a lifestyle account showcasing the beauty in our everyday chaos. It’s an intentional guide to fashion, home decor, travel and mom life.

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?
What started as a hobby has become a full-time business. Juggling being a stay at home mom and working from home is no easy feat. My husband, Trey, is frequently on the road for work and I’m alone with the kids. a big chunk of the time. There are always struggles, but I ground myself in gratitude that I get to be with my kids AND have a creative outlet in my business. It’s not always pretty, but it works for us.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
It’s never lost on me how lucky I am that I am able to share my everyday life; mom hacks, outfit inspiration, home decor, travel guides, etc. and call it work. There is so much more to running a blog/social media presence than one might think. I have taught myself how to code, set up a website, SEO, etc. The social media world is ever-changing, so it’s important to be able to pivot and adapt with each change. There is a lot of behind the scenes correspondence to run a successful brand campaign. It’s a balancing act of keeping my true voice and what is authentic to me while representing what a brand is trying to convey as well. There’s typically emailing negotiations, mood boards, photoshoots, edits, etc. before a final image makes it to the blog or social media.

For me, it’s also important to not only show the “highlight reel” but also the “real reel.” In this day in age, the comparison game is strong and it’s paramount to Beaus & Ashley to show the good and the bad with a positive attitude.

Using my platform to give back and spread kindness is also the most satisfying part of the gig.

What makes you happy?
It’s the little things for me. Above all faith and family. Hearing my kids laugh with one another. A good hot yoga class at Corepower Yoga. Hearing live music with my husband. Uncontrollably laughing with a girlfriend. A beautiful Tennessee fall day. A boat ride at the beach. A good smelling candle. Happiness is found in gratitude for the small things. The other night my youngest son, Wilder, was whispering to my husband and I over and over, “I love my mommy and daddy and my whole family.” After we tucked him in, I told my husband that holding him while he was saying that was the greatest, deepest and most fulfilling joy and happiness I had ever known.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beausandashley.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/beausandashley
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/beausandashley

Image Credits
Images by: Chelsea Rochelle Photography The 2 beach images are by Chloe Bee Photography