Meet the Maker Series: Heirloomed Collection

When I started my blog over four years ago, my number one reason for starting it was to discover fresh brands and be able to share them with anyone who chose to read our site. Fast forward to our 4-year-anniversary month and we are introducing a month-long Meet the Maker series all about the women-owned brands that I’m in love with from the South and beyond! I wanted to kick off my first Meet the Maker series with someone who I’ve admired for a few years now, Ashely of Heirloomed Collection. When I caught up with Ashley, I instantly fell in love with her effervescent personality and her story of how she created Heirloomed Collection. It was actually this meeting that spurred me on to create this series, so without further adieu, meet Ashely

Heirloomed Collection

Heirloomed Collection Heirloomed Collection

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR STARTING HEIRLOOMED
COLLECTION?

The inspiration for my business was my Grandmother. She had such a knack
for entertaining and everything was always homemade. She’d start baking her
assortment of holiday cookies a month in advance, always set a proper table (that was
our job to help with for major holidays), taught me to sew and just all around took pride
in knowing how to do things the right way. My mom is the same way, never a store-
bought birthday cake in our house.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST TIP FOR JUGGLING WORK AND HOME LIFE?

 I’ll let you know when I figure that one out! As a very busy entrepreneur and
mom of three little ones, we stay very busy around here. Having processes, a running to-
do list and a giant master calendar help me personally, and trying to do little things to
prepare in advance are key. Also, I’m very fortunate that my business life and home life
often times merge so having a job that I love and one that is a very authentic and natural
integration of my passions helps to keep things running smooth. I am by nature a very
hard worker and very passionate about my work so sometimes it’s hard to turn that off.
But I try to be very focused on my family during family time and very focused on my
work during work time which also helps me to be as “in the moment” as I can.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER WOMEN WHO WANT TO
START A BUSINESS OF THEIR OWN?

Go for it! I will say, it’s A LOT of work. It all looks pretty and glamorous from
the outside but it takes a lot to get things off the ground and going day-to-day. My best
advice is to start things off the right way from the very beginning and to know your
business plan and goals. Your business plan will look very different based on what your
goals are so as long as you are realistic and have set expectations, you can reach whatever
you’re looking to accomplish. But overall, it is SO rewarding and wonderful to have a
business of your own to grow and nurture.

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF
IF YOU WERE JUST STARTING OUT NOW?

All the things! I have learned SO much in the last 13 years of having my
business.

My best advice here is to focus on the long-term and be patient, that is not one of my
strong suits, however I am a long-term planner so keeping a “marathon, not a sprint”
mindset helps me better accomplish what I need to in the short term and lay the
foundations for larger projects vs feeling like I have to accomplish every single thing I
want to in a years time.

I’d also say it’s extremely important to continue learning and networking, which can be
hard to keep in mind sometimes when you’re out of the traditional workforce and it’s
not on your calendar. I try to have coffee at least once a week with someone – either
another small business owner or someone creative for whatever reason and it always
leads to something positive down the road. I’m also a podcast junkie (while folding
laundry, which I do A LOT) so I’m always learning and improving specific elements of
our business. Staying stagnant these days will kill you – things change fast so staying
nimble and informed will help keep you ahead of the competition.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION ON WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES TAKING
OVER THE INTERNET RIGHT NOW?

I love to see how successful other women are and celebrate each and every
one of them. I think it’s a funny time for women right now in the lifespan of
homesteading, careers, raising families, etc. There is a lot on our plates every day so I do
think running your own business helps you to be more flexible in your schedule, which
for me means being WAY more productive on my own time vs. being on someone else’s
schedule. It’s really fun to see how each person shows their own creativity, talents and
strengths in their own way – it feels much more like comradery than competition, which
is always a win.

Ashley is a true hustler and inspiration! I love being able to cook in her amazing aprons and set my table with her delightful linens. We’ve teamed up to give one of you guys one of Heirloomed Collection signature aprons right here on the blog!

Heirloomed Apron Giveaway 

Entry One: Comment on this blog post

Entry Two: Sign up for our email list here for 2 additional entries!  If you’re already subscribed, tell me in the comments!

Giveaway runs until next Tuesday, May 14th at Midnight! 

Good luck! 

Author: Cynthia

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