We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashlee Holland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashlee below.

Hi Ashlee , thanks for joining us today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact on my business model. Due to the pandemic, I had to temporarily close my shop and relocate with my daughter to my parents’ home in another state. Fortunately, my small business emerged relatively unscathed, unlike many other businesses nationwide. However, the pandemic presented some personal challenges, particularly with communication, given my hearing loss, and the use of masks, which created anxiety and impeded my ability to communicate effectively. Furthermore, job opportunities became more challenging due to the communication barriers posed by masks. Despite these obstacles, I discovered positive outcomes amidst the uncertainty.

Previously, I had hired a professional screen printing company that proved to be an expensive venture with little profitability before our relocation. After moving and facing an unexpected accident, I explored alternative outlets for healing, leading me back to art, which enabled me to reopen my shop with renewed confidence and direction. Instead of relying on inventory, I adopted a print-on-demand approach where each item is handmade and unique to each customer. I did not outsource this process, but rather devised my own strategy at home to curate packages and continue healing by creating unlimited art designs and producing the products. This approach allowed my business to grow, resulting in increased profits and less inventory management.

Ashlee , 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?

From Teacher’s Aide to Successful Business Owner: My Journey in Creating a T-Shirt Biz for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community

In just seven years, I went from a teacher’s aide at a deaf preschool, to the founder of a t-shirt brand exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families. My students and my daughter inspired me to create a line of tees, which led to the establishment of a community comprising of my family, my staff, and my customers.

Being a deaf single mom, I had to juggle multiple jobs while running my business, but it was worth it. Although it’s had its ups and downs, it’s taught me so much about the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. And when my family and I moved from Arizona to North Carolina during a pandemic, I faced even more challenges. I had a bike accident that left me paralyzed for a week, but I persevered, and it motivated me to keep pushing with my business.

In fact, my business became a healing outlet for me to create art and happy mail packages for my customers. I even started a Teacher of the Deaf Mystery Box program that spread kindness across the nation, which led to the growth of my brand. I now have 30+ Brand Ambassadors spreading the word about my business. I’m all about community over competition!

My experience in a wheelchair for several weeks, as well as my other disabilities, has given me an even deeper understanding of the importance of inclusivity. I’m grateful for every trial and triumph that has led me to where I am today. As a business owner, I take pride in offering an array of unique merchandise, particularly eye-catching t-shirts and charming souvenirs. However, my health journey has presented a few obstacles, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord neuropathy. To adapt to these challenges, I’ve had to revise my business strategy. Fortunately, creating custom-made gifts for my valued customers has been an excellent way to overcome these hurdles. Not only has it helped me stay sharp mentally and physically, but it has also enabled me to introduce print-on-demand services directly from my home. Overall, it’s been a positive experience for both my business and recovery journey.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Following a prolonged recovery due to injuries, I find myself grappling with the possibility of this becoming my new reality. Despite the challenges, I am grateful for my supportive parents who have been instrumental in caring for me and my daughter, providing me with the much-needed encouragement to pursue a new business venture. In the past, I ran a successful screen printing company in Arizona; however, I am now exploring new solutions and direction in North Carolina, seeking out my true calling. I remain open to new opportunities that may arise, eager to embark on a fresh journey. During this process, I had to launch my business three times, first during the pandemic, then before my accident, and finally, after regaining my confidence. Despite being small and inexperienced, I refused to give up. I conducted extensive research on creating online services and producing goods from home, stepping out of my comfort zone, and embracing challenges along the way. Although this journey was nerve-wracking and frustrating, I learned to push past my fears and remain persistent, understanding that making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that taking risks and being open to learning new things is crucial to achieving success. It’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s always worthwhile to be true to oneself and different. What is your story, and who do you want to share it with? In other words, who is your audience?

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In the past year, my Instagram account has grown slowly, but I’m pleased with the progress achieved so far. Watching reels and discovering new ideas for running a small business has been an ongoing learning experience. As someone who is deaf, I face unique challenges, such as finding appropriate music for my reels to attract more followers. However, Instagram has provided me with an excellent platform for connecting with other deaf and hard-of-hearing entrepreneurs and users, forming a supportive community.

Engaging with a diverse group of people has taught me about their personal stories of hearing loss, disabilities, and trauma recovery, which has been incredibly educational. Prioritizing connection over competition fosters trust, friendship, and resource-sharing. Engaging with others leads to personal growth and learning, which is far more valuable than just accumulating a large number of followers.

Although I’ve felt anxious at times about my account’s low numbers, my mentor, who has become a close friend, has reminded me that it’s not about the number of followers; it’s about the quality of service and customer satisfaction. Doing a giveaway or collaborating with others on a joint giveaway and reels can increase exposure and attract new followers, but it’s essential to remember that each person’s story is unique, and it’s important to be compassionate and open-minded while connecting with others.

Frequently posting throughout the day can send the wrong message of desperation and sales pitch, ultimately turning followers away from your account. Instead, it’s preferable to create a personal and business message that’s enjoyable and relatable for followers. By recognizing that social media is constantly changing and evolving, we can focus more on the quality of our services and mission rather than the number of followers.

I have found it critical to create two different types of messages to post, one being a reel or a picture that’s a message for people to save and go back to. If you are selling an item, sharing a quote, teaching a lesson, or sharing your favorite thing, this is where you want it to be featured on your account because people will save and go back to it. It is like a TV series, and our IG stories are our commercials where we share glimpses of our days, our dinner, our mistakes, the sunset, what we like, and share other accounts. Honestly, I used to stress over my appearance, including my weight gain, messy motherhood bun, and the absence of makeup, but I gained more followers when I began posting reels that reflected my real self. I found that people enjoy the realness and not perfection and want to see progress over perfection.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.loveashleerose.com
• Instagram: @loveashleerose