We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Cabell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
I can recall a job I held where I was a part of an executive representation team where I was expected to literally generate communications, briefings, presentations that not only was from the perspective of the leader but accomplished the input from his team of representatives. In doing this job I recall having to create a floorplan shift for a reorg/change in structure and placement of personnel. I was super excited when meeting with the leader to hear him mention he wanted a creative presentation that reminded him of Chutes and Ladders, something interactive that if changes needed to be made he could by hand just move and relocate. I took his feedback and enhanced an entire floorplan of the worksite and placed on a magnetic surface. I then gathered up supplies where I printed position titles, and team names in different colors and added magnets on the back to allow the board to literally replicate a huge board game. But little did I realize I totally thought I was spot on, and then one of the leaders expresses to me he could not visually follow what I had done, not because it was incorrect but because he was color blind. To my shock and embarrassment I was totally honored that this high level person shared this and also I felt honored that learning this small but major element of focus I would always take this perspective with everything I accomplish. Once this information was made clear I was able to add patterns to the “game pieces” that would distinguish position types, teams etc. From that day on, with any job I do on the job or during my duties with my small business, I am very aware of how to not only be effective with color but how to incorporate textures, patterns and more.
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 absolutely love crafting, creating, and being amongst out of the box people and in eclectic atmospheres. Growing up I have always loved musicals, performing arts, theater etc. I love to learn to make different crafts/desserts and never back down on creating something one of a kind. Of course once I became a mother the level of creativity elevated beyond and I dove into making my children’s birthdays extra special in every way. From décor, to treats to signage and more. I began to create beyond my dreams and friends and family observed my natural talent and encouraged me to really follow my talent on a more frequent basis. Before I knew it, I would look up unique treats and things that would provide me the challenge to track my progress such as French Macarons, royal icing, cut out cookies, and more. I can say through my talents I have been able to present clientele with affordable products that look and taste good, not to mention also allow them the opportunity to really be a part of the process and still provide the element of surprise. What makes me beyond happy is being able to have my children see me create from start to finish to see the effort I put into the products as well as explaining what I am doing to them and seeing them both reiterate and put into action what I have learned and taught them. My daughter is very clear in her vision and thought of how awesome my talent is and how I need a store, and she will be right there helping along the way. It makes me proud to know the level of support I have in house and from afar and all those I have reached with talents that are so organic for me and therapeutic might I add. AshleyCabellCreations, LLC is not boxed into a specific type of product but the element of a variety of things. I like to allow myself the space to evolve and also pause if needed to master a craft but to always have the liberty to add to or enhance at any moment.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A moment in my life that required me to pivot I would say would have to be the birth of my second child, my son Xavier. I had just had my daughter 15 months prior and was still of course navigating the life of being a mom but now, this was different this was a mom of two. In my mind, I knew it would be normal and just take it day by day but what I did not factor in, nor did I even have an inkling of awareness to prepare was how the birthing delivery would change my life. My first pregnancy was totally relaxing, no concerns, very chill as with the delivery nothing traumatic at all. With my son, I had a bit more changes but nothing out of the norm, a bit of pain in the abdomen here and there but I did have to take into consideration that I did get pregnant within the 1 year recommended to wait. I knew my son was growing and gaining as needed accordingly and toward my last trimester I knew I would deliver early but not the way it actually happened. I recall right after midnight November 21st having a bit of pressure and discomfort so I laid down to rest, not shortly after I felt my water broke, from this I noticed it was a lot of fluid but more than normal, at this time I was faced with the first level of fear that my placenta had abrupted and I was hemorrhaging. With the worry of if I would see my daughter again, I worried if I would actually meet my son, and then some. My husband rushed us to the hospital and my doctor was there, he wasn’t supposed to be there because he was supposed to have surgery but the patient ate and he was there waiting to do the surgery. Arriving at the hospital seeing my doctor I immediately went into an emergency C-section surgery. Aside from all of the other scary moments I still can replay in my head, my baby boy came out and was healthy. He was above weight, did not lose oxygen and did not need intensive care at all. I came out of it to see today and no one prepared me for the lapse in my creative ability and talent when going through that level of trauma. It took me a while to regain the focus I wanted to create because of fear, sadness, worry, about what could have happened etc. But I did after time for healing and taking it one day at a time, I bounced back stronger than ever, and I now have both of my children helping me and seeing me thrive today in a way I could not predict back then.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal of AshleyCabellCreations, LLC is to never be boxed in. I truly focus on what can be done today and where can we go tomorrow. To be creative one must never target specifics as the flow can change any given way at any moment. I strive to remain flexible, efficient and clear with what my capabilities are in the moment. Doing this helps me to navigate my creative journey and helps retain the understanding of my customer base. I can envision what I have started with the help, and love of my loved ones can be carried with my children and they can add their own twists as well because they are my biggest creations ever. I encourage them both to reach for their goals and speak into the atmosphere what they want to be and things they want to do and breathe life into their ideas and in doing this I feel it helps steer my focus with the mission and journey of ACCreations.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ashleycabellcreations
- Facebook: ashley cabell; ashleycabellcreations
- Linkedin: ashley cabell
- Other: Bakesy App: https://shop.bakesy.app/b/ashleycabellcreations-llc
Image Credits
n/a