We recently connected with Ashleigh Montford and have shared our conversation below.

Ashleigh, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Being born, taking my first breath as a melanin infused human in America in 1993, walking outside in 2022, daring to educate myself through higher education and pursuing social justice and equity as a changemaker – all risks.

It may seem as though success happens over night, and truth be told – I am still trying to make it. However, one of the biggest risks I have taken professionally, would be deciding to have a business, having two businesses. In 2018 I started a photography company, The Opia Designs Company, LLC, which has now evolved into a full-service marketing and consulting firm. In 2022, I started a mixed-holding company, Black Woman Made, Corporation, which is going to aid in celebrating the past accomplishments of Black women, as well as moving forward.

In my heart of hearts, I am an entrepreneur. It is not for the sake of saying I own two companies, but it’s showing up as my authentic self and never backing down.

I took the risk because for those who have come before me, and those that will undoubtedly come after me, it’s not a question of why or why not, but when… Taking risks is not something to consider lightly, and in the same turn – it is a major move that has to be taken, no matter who or what does it.

How can we expect to propel forward if we do not dare to live on the wild side and fearlessly chase our dreams and aspirations, we cannot.

Take risks and never regret it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Full transparency, right? I am a struggling 28-year-old Black woman in America with two businesses, completing a Master of Public Administration degree, as well as working in government and so much more.

Hello, my name is Ashleigh Montford and I am here to excel in all areas deemed possible and impossible.

Choosing what industry to enter was not a difficult decision, as I have always been impressed with the idea of bringing mere thoughts and ideations to life, for myself and others. I started with my one passion of photography with Opia and I expanded over the years.

Then in 2021, I realized that there were no mixed-holding companies in the United States that assisted entrepreneurs of color in excelling forward, while pouring back into the community (because one is not exclusive of the other in my eyes). Black Woman Made, Corporation is being set up to alter the trajectory of Black lives, personally and professionally, and it’s going to happen.

With Opia, we solve marketing and design dilemmas (with the client in mind), but with Black Woman Made, we are setting out to make a transformational shift in the dynamic of which Blacks are interacting, sustaining, and moving forward.

As an entrepreneur, I am different because of my mindset and the aspirations that reside within me. These aspirations are coming to a head at 28 and I will not be stopped. I am proud of the resilience that resides within me, but I am more than honored to have the backing of an amazing village, which I would not be here without them.

Hear me roar.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting! Oh dear God, pivoting is like “The Essence of Business and Life 101!”

The turning point for me actually happened but a few days ago.

I was laying in the hospital bed with an IV, because my chronic illness had completely taken control of my body when I went to work on a random Tuesday. My body was hot to the touch, I was out of it, glands swollen, arthritis swelling, and the pain was just immeasurable, and the ambulance ride was intimidatingly scary. In that moment, I knew I had to do something different. After crying uncontrollably for a while, I finally gathered myself and was released with medicine prescriptions and advice on my next steps that will inevitably save my well-being.

As I am three days later, I am full of hope and purpose and drive. On Thursday I wrote out all the areas in my life on one side of the printer paper, and most of my goals and aspirations by December 31, 2023 on the other side – mind you, both sides completely filled. You know what I realized? I’ve been chasing paper and not purpose and that’s why my life was shattering all around me.

In the entrepreneurial role, when you shift personally, you shift professionally, and when you shift professionally and align your goals with your passions, ambitions and purpose! My God! In the words of Master Teacher T.D. Jakes, “Get ready!”

Now that I have pivoted, just this week, things are happening. Life is transforming and miraculous, miraculous shifts are breaking!

Advice, follow your passions and the rest will follow. Even in weary times, you have to believe.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There’s no better story to discuss my resilience that these past couple of months. As an entrepreneur, everything matters and rely upon each other. Not only was my car repossessed last week, but there’s am immense amount of pressure that was forcing me to succumb to mental dilemmas

However, here I am, November 2022, going through an interview with a magazine that has cultivated a season of change in many lives, professionally and personally.

I share this because not only am I still here, but I am still trying, thriving and doing my very best. Resilience is not only doing when there are those supporting you, but it’s what happens when it feels like the world has turned its back.

Resilience is not only what you believe internally, but the output of work and power.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gofund.me/9cd81adc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetotalpackageap/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleigh.montford/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighmontford/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TotalPackageAP
• Other: www.blackwomanmadecorp.com & www.theopiadesignscompanyllc.com

Image Credits
Trinity Grimes, Litus Marshall, The Opia Designs Company, LLC