We were lucky to catch up with Ashleigh Bergman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashleigh, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I think staying in your own lane and doing what feels authentic and true to you and your brand is key. When you start looking at what other people in your industry are doing, comparing yourself, and adopting what THEY do that works for THEM, you dilute YOUR brand, and consumers can feel the inauthenticity and they lose trust. Creating your own identity in the marketplace that is derived from your company ethos, culture, vibe and style that YOU develop and consistently draw from to grow your business is the way to growing and maintaining a loyal client base.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my career at the age of 14 when I began working behind the counter at the iconic fashion destination Fred Segal. It was there I was mentored by the Segal Family, and years later where I made my mark as a buyer, creating a hotbed for emerging and established jewelry & accessories designers. After 18 creatively fulfilling years, I pursued my jewelry infatuation and accepted a position as the Senior Jewelry Buyer for Anthropologie. It was in Philadelphia, I then fulfilled my other dream of growing a family, with the birth of my son, Greyson. Being on the opposite coast from our family just didn’t make sense for my husband and I any longer. After settling down back in my native city, Los Angeles, I decided to ignite my passion for educating and servicing individual clients with their jewelry dreams along with utilizing my longstanding relationships with the finest designers and manufacturers, and created Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman. Milestones consist of a select collection of fine, designer, bridal and fashion jewelry that can be shopped online or in person via private consultation and personal shopping. Tapping into my creative spirit and love for finding new and unique talent, I can memorialize all of life’s Milestones with the perfect piece of jewelry. From engagements and anniversaries to the birth of a baby, there is a gem that celebrates everything.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I started my business 7 years ago on Instagram, I was very clear that I wanted the page to be completely jewelry focused. I didn’t think people cared to see my face or know anything about me…it was about the JEWELS. I quickly came to understand that presenting myself as an expert in my field would be completely impossible if there was no expert to be seen! In my previous career as a Jewelry and Accessories Buyer at Fred Segal, I was often on the sales floor, talking to clients. They would ask me “what shoes are you wearing” or “where should we go for dinner tonight”. My responses gave them the confidence to spend money in my store. If I knew what the hottest fashion brands were, the hottest restaurants to dine at, then they could trust that I was selecting the best of the best jewelry for them, and it had to be had. This was no different. On Instagram I was selling fine jewelry to people across the world, to people who never met me, or touched the jewelry. I built my presence by sharing tidbits on my personal life (ups and downs), my love for fashion and beauty, the knowledge I have collected through my 25+ years in the industry, and my insatiable obsession with jewelry. People really connected with me being a REAL person, not just a brand, and that trust was formed and continues to grow.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Instagram is most definitely the best source for new clients. One way we acquire new clients is from paid advertising on Instagram. And the other way is by consistently posting on brand content which includes, product content, client shoutouts, and lifestyle content.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashleighbergman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestones_by_ab/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milestonesbyab
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-cohen-bergman-5b220764/
• Tiktok: https://tr.ee/4p1En78V0z

Image Credits
Cloth & Stone Studios