We recently connected with Ashley Ogden and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The best boss I’ve ever had, is my current boss, Ivy Ward. I was a risk she decided to take by choosing to hire me. She hired me fresh off of a separation from my then husband, as well as being out of the workforce for four years prior as a stay at home mom, all while needing to bring my child with me to work. Not only did Ivy hire me with all of my personal needs/limitations, but she also encouraged me to further my education. Two years ago, she helped me become a T.E.A.C.H Nevada Scholarship recipient as well as my educational sponsor to continue my education. I am happy to report that both my boss Ivy Ward and myself will be graduating with honors May 2024! The impact she has made in and on my life are monumental. My gratitude and respect for her are without end. She is a believer in her employees and invests a piece of herself into each staff member she hires. Her and I will continue our educational journey further as we look at getting our Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education beginning this summer. To say I won the jackpot of bosses would be a gross understatement!

Ashley , 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?

Hi, I’m Ashley Ogden. I’m a divorced mother of three boys who is also a preschool teacher, massage therapist, new business owner, and cheer coach. Yes, I’m busy! I have been a massage therapist for almost 20 years and usually meet my clients by word of mouth. I consider my massage therapy a hobby job as I do this on the side.
I stumbled into my career as a preschool teacher due to my separation from my ex-husband. At the time I was looking for a job that would allow me a ton of flexibility. I was looking for a job that would allow me to bring my youngest son to work, get off in time to pick up my middle son from preschool, and still have time to pick up my oldest son from elementary school. I don’t have childcare experience other than that bod being a mother. Nonetheless my boss hired me and I haven’t looked back. I never would have guessed that my calling would be to work with young children until I became a teacher at the preschool I work for.
I’ve always loved to learn, and teach. As I mentioned before I’m a cheer coach, Coach is just another word for teacher. The service I provide is to help young children to learn and grow through developmentally appropriate practices. I am taking our youngest population and turning them into little citizens ready to take on the world of elementary school. I am focused on critical thinking skills, social and emotional maturity appropriate for their age, as well as giving them a love for art and music.
My work with young children has led me to obtaining my degree in Early Childhood Education, coaching younger age youth sports, and better communicatioHi, I’m Ashley Ogden. I’m a divorced mother of three boys who is also a preschool teacher, massage therapist, new business owner, and cheer coach. Yes, I’m busy! I have been a massage therapist for almost 20 years and usually meet my clients by word of mouth. I consider my massage therapy a hobby job as I do this on the side.

I stumbled into my career as a preschool teacher due to my separation from my ex-husband. At the time I was looking for a job that would allow me a ton of flexibility. I was looking for a job that would allow me to bring my youngest son to work, get off in time to pick up my middle son from preschool, and still have time to pick up my oldest son from elementary school. I don’t have childcare experience other than that bod being a mother. Nonetheless my boss hired me and I haven’t looked back. I never would have guessed that my calling would be to work with young children until I became a teacher at the preschool I work for.

I’ve always loved to learn, and teach. As I mentioned before I’m a cheer coach, coach is just another word for teacher. The service I provide is to help young children to learn and grow through developmentally appropriate practices. I am taking our youngest population and turning them into little citizens ready to take on the world of elementary school. I am focused on critical thinking skills, social and emotional maturity appropriate for their age, as well as giving them a love for art and music.

My work with young children has led me to obtaining my degree in Early Childhood Education, coaching younger age youth sports, and better communication with my own children as well as with my students.

The biggest problem I face as a preschool teacher is overcoming the stereotype that all I do is wipe noses and butts all day. If all parents knew that their child’s brain develops the fastest in the first five years of life, they would better understand my job. My role in the life of their child is to help their quickly developing brain absorb as much information as it can before the progress begins to slow down.

I am most proud of my educational achievements. I am a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member. I have been a 4.0 GPA student throughout my Associate degree program. And I am happy to say that I am an educated educator. Not all preschools have educated staff caring for young children, but at my school, we do. I am very proud of that.

I also recently became a new business owner with my sister and best friend. My teaching job allowed me to fund this new business. My business name is Capture Culture LLC and is an air Photo Booth. We come to your event, set up our equipment then return when the event is over. We create a custom template based on the theme of your party and then you get to take digital photos that can be sent directly to your social media sites, email, or text messages. You can find our business page on Facebook under Capture Culture! I will be creating a custom template for my preschool’s graduation program. I love how teaching students opens the door for future clients for my personal business. I want to faithfully and fruitfully serve my community.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal I have with both my teaching career and my personal business is to be able to spend more time with my children. One day I would like to have a the same breaks off with my children that teachers get to enjoy. My Photo Booth business will afford me the ability to take time off with my children as well.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met me business partner in utero, as she is my twin sister. I met my other business partner through my sister’s maternity leave. She wanted a massage and to experience ear candeling. My sister and I have known our other partner for nearly 9 years now, and look forward to where our business goes.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Gace