We were lucky to catch up with Ashlee Marie recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashlee, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
The current state of our educational system begs the question, “How will our future leaders add more creativity, light, and witty inventions into the world if they are urged to fit in the current mold/status quo of what success looks like to the natural uninspired eye?
If I were in a position to impact change within the constraints of a US based educational system all students would learn about financial literacy, investing, and business at a much younger age than high school. In my opinion, this is entirely too late for students to be encouraged to become free thinkers and consider living life on their own terms. Educators would receive adequate compensation for risking everything by entering into a classroom setting battling the unspeakable from the administrators, a classroom overfilled with children from all walks of life, and an unrealistic demand for excellence with limited resources and support!
As a business owner, I’ve had the privilege of introducing my children to some of the most amazing people around the globe and real life concepts that are best taught in real time outside of the confines of a textbook and a limited perspective.
Now is the best time to instill the lessons of success within our students. This is only way to adequately prepare them to live a more fulfilling life unrivaled or unbiased as it concerns their careers and exploring different paths to success that will impact the world for centuries and beyond. Let us define success as one living out their true purpose in life.
In the words of Rockefeller, “If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.”
As an educator and certified professional development trainer nothing pains my heart more than to ask students what do you want to become when you grow up and their answer is I just want to be alive! What happened to I want to be the first in my family to go to college, or fly to the moon and back, or even become the first millionaire in my family? I challenge students to think bigger and dream unapologetically – Coach A’ Marie
Ashlee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a Certified SCORE Small Business Mentor + Workshop facilitator, Certified DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Trainer & Professional Life Coach with 10+ years experience in financial services, education, and human resources. Over the past four years, I’ve embraced my own entrepreneurial spirit by creating a highly successful youth financial literacy curriculum and coached hundreds of entrepreneurs (domestic and internationally) on best practices to improve career readiness, start businesses, and live life on their own terms!
Why should you listen to me or read this article?
More than anything, I desire to see clients win in life and business! I’m excited to connect with you and share a bit of my personal and business story! Our company was birthed in the midst of the pandemic when thousands of women were faced with a decision to participate in the #GreatResignation and/or enter into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship! I chose the latter and walked into a life of freedom from the cubicle life and haven’t looked back!
What does your company do exactly?
We are a full service professional and administrative services consulting firm. Our primary focus, is to provide education, training and curriculum design in Career Readiness, Project Management and Personnel/Sr. Workforce Development. With a focus on veterans and underserved populations, we strive to improve quality access to workforce development programs.
Our goal is to impact change, to educate and empower, and utilize evidence-based resources including: best practices for staffing and retention, critical-pathways for compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and to ensure quality control for tomorrow’s leaders.
We have a team of experts that are proficient at providing services in a results-driven team environment for clients, cross-functional colleagues, external partners, and executive stakeholders. We service commercial, non-profit and government organizations by mobilizing the right people, skills and technologies to help organizations optimize their performance. By contracting our agency, we can be available for our client’s support at any time from anywhere in the world both nationally and internationally.
I’m most proud of prioritizing my mental health amongst all the demands of life, school, motherhood, marriage, and business! Protecting your peace is essential when launching out into the deep and declaring that abundance is your birthright :)
I believe what sets me apart from the other coaches in the industry is that I sympathize with those who are transitioning whether it be personally or professionally. I understand that change is both necessary yet painful at times. To date, my most prized accomplishment is being nominated for Best Boss Business Coach in Jacksonville, FL where I connected with the most amazing black entrepreneurs within the city!
After receiving this invitation, I recognized the need for us all to work together and celebrate one another’s success! Next, I value parenting a teen and a toddler during a pandemic and not losing my mind, all while prioritizing my mental health as #1. For women, emotional wellness is critical in this season and we need to be reminded that selfcare isn’t selfish in fact its a luxury – Chrystal Nicole
Over the last year, I’ve cultivated a community of faith driven women called Christian Women Entrepreneur Empowerment, a platform that provides tools, resources, and community.
Main things I want clients to know: You can trust God and he will give you insight + business success
To learn more about me and connect join our Facebook community!
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
As I approached the summer of 2018, I heard God say the words, “quit your job and restore order back in your home!” I said what??? Lord, how, when, how will I live, with what money? Trust me at the time, I was life coaching clients for $25/hour and selling body butters for $5 a jar! I will never forget one of my coworkers who became a lifelong friend said, “I know plenty mothers working for themselves and remotely, ” have you considered a career change or starting a business?
The timing was impeccable… I trusted God and within 18 months I quit my job, moved into my brand new home, and launched a full time business with his guidance and direction as spectators wondered how in the middle of a pandemic will she survive or thrive under these conditions?
Fast-forward, Now, my side hustle has evolved into a full service training company with an opportunity to contract with $1M companies! To think that one walk of faith and obedience has resulted in so many lives being changed I am speechless. The body butters are now available online within an amazon store sold exclusively to VIP clients only.
I’m forever grateful that God chose me to showcase his ridiculous favor and remind me that when we are called and connected there is nothing that we can not do.
Key Milestones That I’ve Learned Along the Way:
Do it even if others don’t understand
Embrace failure & do it fast
There’s no such thing as imposter syndrome – you are living proof
Abundance is your birthright
Never have I seen the righteous forsaken nor his seen begging bread Psalms 37:5
If it doesn’t break you chances are it will make you
Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone only the ones who are called
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Our core philosophy is heavily predicated on the concept that “building a business builds you!” I stand by this statement – Annually, we serve 100+ clients and focus on providing an immediate source of hope, inspiration, & encouragement whether its in a coaching or professional development setting. Our company helps women to increase their self-confidence and embrace a new perspective as entrepreneur who values family, fun, faith, and finances! I hope this article inspires you! When I am in need of inspiration I read the bible + a myriad of self help books, podcasts, and videos.
Starting a business requires grit, tenacity, and courage! Our clients are predominantly women desiring to remove the barriers of self-sabotage and are called to live out a life of victory and not defeat In fact, they are standing on the promise to live a more abundant life.
Here is my playlist:
Finding Me: A Memoir Hardcover – Davis, Viola
The God’s Creative Power Gift Collection – Charles & Annette Capps
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s – Mitch Albom
The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less –
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman, Kevin Pierce, et al.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amarietalks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarietalks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amarietalksback
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlee-marie/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCesNiXrejGEMxSvL8dOz_OA
Image Credits
Photos taken @ UNF Swisher Entrepreneurial by Maria Cruz