We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Borjon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Great question, and I love sharing the story behind The Worker’s Workshop!

One key lesson from past business ventures I learned was that putting my name on the marquee might not be the best strategy for long-term growth. I wanted something that would endure beyond me and didn’t have to take much time with finding a solution.

Making things as simplified as possible, the essence of what my company offers is quick, impactful experiences. Workshops, right? They’re everywhere and for good reason — workshops get you up and running with the info you need as quickly as possible. It’s all about timely knowledge and a crystal-clear end goal.

The Worker’s Workshop is all about those in the workforce and conveys rapid, individualized development tailored just for that population.

So, in a nutshell, The Worker’s Workshop is more than a name; it’s a promise. A promise of swift, targeted growth for individuals in the U.S.-based workforce.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Ashley Borjon, a serial entrepreneur, accomplished podcaster, and professional with a portfolio career of over 24 years. I’m very proud to speak with CanvasRebel, as this is my second interview with the publication! During my July 2023 interview, I shared that I was pivoting in my career and that things were still under development. Now, I can announce those things with confidence.

I am the founder and CEO of The Worker’s Workshop, which helps mid-career changers, stay-at-home parents, and recent graduates prepare and refine skills for the modern workforce in as little time as possible. With an individualized, tailored approach, the Worker’s Workshop is ready to service those who require career coaching and counseling.

I am the creative behind An Album a Day (“A3Day”) and A3Day Sister Show, two music commentary podcasts centered on South Korean popular music — generally called K-pop. At the time of this publication, assuming the roles of podcast host and producer of A3Day has earned a finalist nomination for the 2023 Sonic Bloom Awards!

Finally, I enjoy producing instrumental and background music under the moniker MsBlink. I’m self-taught and have been creating music for over eight years. It is my most preferred outlet for self-expression, and I don’t often utilize vocals in the music. Instead, I allow the music to speak to listeners, opening each song up to many interpretations.

More than anything, I am most proud that my professional and personal lives are harmonious. I’m now working within my greatest strengths, constantly pushing against areas of opportunity and laying the groundwork for more adventurous experiences in the future. It’s truly a great feeling!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For over a decade, I’ve balanced freelancing with full-time work, encountering a growing demand for understanding evolving technology in the American workforce. Feeling the need for support, I founded The Worker’s Workshop to focus on empowering individuals with skills for workplace success, not as recruiters but as a career support team.

My Houston, Texas-based business provides compassionate adult education and digital literacy. Whether through tailored services or workshops, we assist in resume and cover letter presentation, promote safe technology usage, and enhance work-related soft skills. Our goal is to enable individuals to secure meaningful employment independently, contributing positively to their communities.

At The Worker’s Workshop, we believe in your sufficiency, providing resources and guidance to reach your goals. We champion inclusivity, creating a welcoming environment for all learners. Committed to continuous improvement, we stay abreast of industry trends through respected associations. Collaborating with businesses, schools, and community organizations, we ensure our learners receive the best possible experience. Word-of-mouth has been our most effective strategy, showcasing the impact of our dedication to empowerment and education.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resiliency was my focus for 2023, and I lived up to that desired goal. My current businesses are not my first attempt at entrepreneurship, so I’ve learned a few things over the years about the necessity to plan. Most are excited about potential success. Planning for hardships and a solid exit strategy are also important.

Committing to making my freelance work my eventual full-time work meant taking the entire second half of 2023 to identify my target audience, gain more knowledge, and work with advisors to ensure I stepped into 2024 as best as possible. I entered a city-wide competition to improve my business plan and learn more about business trends but, unfortunately, did not make a strong argument for funding for my business. To improve, I met regularly with SCORE Association advisors and other business coaches to help me work out pain points.

Most beneficially, I participated in the Stimulating Urban Renewal Through Entrepreneurship (SURE℠) program, a unique multi-sided program at the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. The 12-week program concluded with a pitch competition where I was a winner! All of this was accomplished while working full-time in the nonprofit sector, having some setbacks with my physical health, and taking a sabbatical from graduate school to improve my overall well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.workersworkshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkersworkshop
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/theworkersworkshop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workersworkshop
• Other: To learn more about my podcast, visit https://a3daypodcast.info for various links. To enjoy my music on your favorite streaming platforms search for “MsBlink” and visit https://msblink.carrd.co for more information.