Too often in our society, people picture men in their heads when they hear words like, “boss”, “entrepreneur”, or “CEO”. Being a small business owner has put me in touch with so many successful female business owners and entrepreneurs that when I hear these words, I often picture a woman or I just don’t assume anything at all. Women are obviously just as capable as men when it comes to the business world and it is high time that women business owners and entrepreneurs are more visible in the media in our society. This is where the idea for Women in Business was born. Women in Business is a bi-monthly feature that highlights female entrepreneurs and business owners. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to learn more about small businesses in various fields, but it is a great shopping guide for supporting small businesses.
An Interview with Ashley Brooke
Tell us a little bit about Ashley Brooke Designs. What exactly do you do and how long have you been doing it?
Ashley Brooke Designs is a Creative Studio and Blog, we specialize in fun and fancy desk accessories that brighten the everyday! We like to think of ABD as a little bright spot on the Internet! We blog almost daily about things that are happening in our lives, new designs, products we love, and of course behind the scenes peeks at what we are up to in the ABD studio.
We are all about the fun, all the time!
Also, I started ABD 8 years ago, and it’s been the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done!
Ashley Brooke Designs offers stationary, coffee mugs, desk calendars, and more. Do you have a have a favorite product that you offer?
Oh gosh! That’s like choosing a favorite child! I don’t have a favorite, but I will say that I LOVE our coffee mugs!
As the owner and creative director of Ashley Brooke Designs, what does a typical workday look like?
Actually it changes almost daily, but if we don’t have any big photo shoots, or outside meetings… it will look like this:
5:30 – 6:00 Wake-up Call
6:00 – 8:00 Gym, House Chores, Breakfast, Devotions, etc.
8:00 – 9:00 Get Ready
9:00 -12:00 Emails, Morning Meetings, Blog Posts, etc.
12:00- 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 6:30(ish) Design Work
6:30 – 700 Emails
7:00 0- 9:30 Make Dinner, House Chores, and Get ready for bed!
You’re so busy! How do you stay organized?
Ha! I have 3 calendars! I use my i-cal, a desk planner (right now I’m using the simplified planner) and I also have a printed out monthly calendar hanging next to my desk! I do my VERY best to keep it all together, but the struggle is real!
What are three apps or services that help you run your business more efficiently?
- Dropbox
- Camera Wi-fi (I use PlayMemories Mobile)
- Messages app on my computer… gosh, that thing is the best!
How do you stay balanced with your career and personal life?
My husband and I work together, so it can be hard to separate work and play, but we’ve found that if we schedule out date nights and create structure around our day we are in much better shape!
What was the best piece of advice you were given?
Fail, fail, fail again! – My Dad
How do you define success as an entrepreneur?
Oh gosh, that is the hardest question! I think I felt success when we were able to support ourselves. But it also felt like success when the first person bought the first product…so you know, it’s all about perspective!!
