We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aysia Woods a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Aysia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
HereHome is a lifestyle company that creates experiences, content, resources, and products that enrich the heart + home. We’re dreaming of a world where everyone feels welcomed. This is HereHome’s mission.
For me, HereHome is more than just a lifestyle brand; it’s a tribute to my family’s legacy and a commitment to fostering meaningful connections through hospitality. Our mission is a reflection of the values instilled in me by my parents and grandparents – values of inclusivity, connection, and the transformative power of nurturing relationships. Through HereHome, I’m dedicated to sharing the gift of intentional hospitality with others and creating environments that nourish the soul and bring people together.
Growing up, our house was often also our childhood friends’ places of refuge, and only now into my adulthood can I clearly see why. There was always an overabundance of acceptance and generosity to go around. We were taught to value “the village,” the power of exposure and education, and to be someone who makes people feel special.
As I grew up and into my career, this people-focused upbringing translated into my studying anthropology in college, working at museums and magazines, hosting bespoke gatherings for hundreds of women, writing an e-book, owning an event consulting business, organizing an event that Vice President Kamala Harris keynoted, and finally, HereHome.
HereHome is my contribution. It’s my way of welcoming people into my home, and empowering them with the tools to do the same intentional nourishing for themselves and their people. It’s my way of sharing the gift I’ve found in my family with all who could use it.
Aysia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Sure thing.
As an anthropologist by training and entrepreneur at heart, I thrive at the intersection of business and culture. This path has led to a dynamic career – I have worked at museums, magazines, owned a corporate event consulting business (Events by AW), wrote an ebook, and even organized an event that Vice President Kamala Harris keynoted. My path has felt winding and surprising, but the through line is always creating thoughtful experiences for people.
In July of 2022, I launched HereHome, a lifestyle brand. It was sparked from my own personal exploration of what “home” meant me to after moving from Washington, DC to Savannah, Georgia during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand is comprised of a few facets – the podcast (which is co-hosted with my Mom), HereHome Travel, events, music playlists, and more.
I’m most proud of the dedicated community we’ve grown of introspective, bold, and inspiring individuals who are equally passionate about curating a nourishing life for themselves and their people.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
HereHome: The Podcast and HereHome Travel are facets of the brand that I work with my mother in. When I started HereHome, I did not intend to loop her into the business, but it happened naturally! I had the idea for a podcast and asked my mom if she would be interested in coming on every once in a while, especially because we were already often having private conversations around the deeper aspects of home (like belonging, community, friendship) regularly.
Turns out, she’s now the star of show! Our podcast listeners enjoy our mother-daughter dynamic and it was all a total surprise to us. The podcast is the anchor product of the brand.
HereHome Travel was born in a similar vein. My mom is a travel agent and she was dreaming of hosting more bespoke travel experiences for people. The anthropologist and entrepreneur in me knew that this was yet another angle of exploring “home” and looped in into the HereHome umbrella.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
HereHome has 4 different revenue streams. HereHome Travel generates income from gleaning percentages of client travel, the Podcast generates income from ads, our events generate income from ticket sales, and HereHome generates income from consulting with local businesses/clients who want interior design help.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.weareherehome.com
- Instagram: @weareherehome
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareherehome