We were lucky to catch up with Ashleigh Pandora “AP” Montford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashleigh Pandora “AP”, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents instilled in me the values of resilience, independence, and purpose—and that foundation has shaped everything I do today. They taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance, showing me that nothing is impossible with dedication and the right mindset. No matter what challenges came my way, I always knew that giving up was never an option.

They also taught me how to define exactly what I want in life and not let anyone else’s opinion waver me. From a young age, they emphasized the importance of knowing my own mind, setting clear goals, and standing firm in my decisions. Whether it was in my career, personal growth, or the way I move through the world, they made sure I understood that my vision mattered—and that I didn’t need external validation to pursue it.

Another thing they did right was teaching me the power of community and giving back. They emphasized the importance of supporting others, building meaningful relationships, and using my talents to make a difference. That’s a huge part of why I’m so passionate about helping businesses, nonprofits, and individuals build legacies that extend beyond themselves.

Above all, they led by example. Watching them navigate life with strength and integrity showed me how to stand firm in who I am, make thoughtful decisions, and move through the world with purpose. Their lessons weren’t just spoken; they were lived. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

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?

Meet Ashleigh Pandora Montford: The Powerhouse Behind The Opia Designs Company

I’m Ashleigh Pandora Montford, a strategic growth consultant, grant writer, and business developer passionate about helping businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs turn their visions into reality. My work is centered on securing funding, building sustainable business models, and creating impactful marketing strategies that help organizations grow and thrive.

How I Got Into This Industry

My journey into the world of business development, grant writing, and marketing wasn’t a straight path—it was built through experience, problem-solving, and recognizing the gaps that many business owners and organizations face. Early in my career, I found myself drawn to working with startups, small businesses, and nonprofits, helping them clarify their goals and develop strategies that lead to sustainable success. I realized that while many people have incredible ideas and missions, they often struggle with the funding, structure, and marketing needed to scale their impact. That’s where I come in.

With my expertise in strategic planning, funding acquisition, and brand development, I founded The Opia Designs Company, a strategic growth agency that helps clients secure resources, refine their messaging, and implement growth strategies that allow them to scale effectively.

What I Offer

I provide a range of services that help businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs secure funding, build structure, and communicate their value effectively. My expertise lies in grant writing and fundraising strategies, where I assist organizations in securing grants and funding through well-crafted proposals, crowdfunding campaigns, and strategic funding plans. In addition to funding support, I focus on business development and strategic planning, working with startups and established businesses to create roadmaps for growth, ensuring they have a solid foundation and a scalable strategy.

Marketing and brand positioning are also key areas of my work. I help businesses refine their brand identity, craft compelling messaging, and develop marketing strategies that attract their ideal audience. Additionally, I provide consulting and coaching services, offering tailored guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners to help them navigate challenges, streamline operations, and achieve their goals. Beyond my business, I am deeply committed to community building and empowerment. I share insights and thought leadership through my blog, Powerhouse Perspectives, and I’m launching a podcast, Love, The Gworls, where I discuss growth, business, and the experiences of Black women navigating entrepreneurship and life.

The Problems I Solve for My Clients

My clients come to me when they need clarity, direction, and funding to move forward. Many businesses and organizations struggle with securing financial support, building a strong foundation, or effectively marketing their services. I help them secure the funding they need to grow, develop business strategies that work, clarify their brand identity and messaging, expand their reach through marketing and community engagement, and turn their ideas into actionable, successful plans. I take businesses and nonprofits from uncertainty to execution, ensuring they have the right tools, strategies, and resources to succeed long-term.

What Sets Me Apart

What makes me different is my holistic approach. I don’t just write grants or create business plans—I build ecosystems that ensure sustainable success. My work combines funding strategies, marketing expertise, and business development in a way that provides my clients with long-term growth, not just short-term wins.

Additionally, my background as a Black woman entrepreneur has given me a unique perspective. I understand the challenges of breaking barriers, securing opportunities, and building something from the ground up—which is why I am so passionate about helping others navigate these same obstacles and succeed despite them.

I also prioritize authenticity and impact in everything I do. My clients don’t just get a consultant; they get a partner who truly cares about their success. I bring a mix of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, making sure that every project I take on delivers real, measurable results.

What I’m Most Proud Of

One of my proudest accomplishments is helping nonprofits and small businesses secure funding that has changed lives. I’ve worked on initiatives supporting STEM education, youth mentorship, community development, and economic empowerment, and seeing these projects come to life has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m also proud of the communities I’m building. Whether it’s through my consulting work, my blog, or my upcoming podcast, I am creating spaces for empowerment, education, and growth, particularly for women and marginalized entrepreneurs.

What I Want People to Know About Me & My Brand

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that growth is possible for everyone—whether you’re an entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader, or someone with a vision that just needs the right structure to succeed. The Opia Designs Company isn’t just about business; it’s about transformation, impact, and legacy-building.

I want people to know that when they work with me, they’re getting more than just a service—they’re getting a dedicated partner who is invested in their success. I am here to help my clients secure funding, scale their impact, and build something that lasts. Whether you’re looking for grant support, business growth strategies, or guidance on how to elevate your brand, I’m here to help you turn your vision into reality.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that I don’t have to do everything myself to be successful. For a long time, I believed that if I wanted something done right, I had to do it on my own. I equated independence with strength and felt like asking for help was a sign of weakness or incompetence.

The Backstory

As an entrepreneur, I’ve always been ambitious and driven. When I started The Opia Designs Company, I poured everything into it—handling client work, marketing, finances, and operations all by myself. At first, I wore that as a badge of honor. I thought that being able to juggle everything on my own meant I was in control. But in reality, I was burning out, spreading myself too thin, and limiting my own growth.

The turning point came when I started missing opportunities simply because I didn’t have the bandwidth to take on more work. I was so caught up in the mindset of “I can do it all” that I wasn’t allowing my business to expand in the way it needed to. I finally realized that true success isn’t about doing everything alone—it’s about building a strong team, delegating effectively, and trusting others to contribute to your vision.

Unlearning this mindset has allowed me to grow my business, bring in talented people, and focus on the areas where I create the most impact. Now, I embrace collaboration and understand that strength comes from knowing when to lead, when to delegate, and when to ask for support.

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

One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make was shifting from being a solo entrepreneur to building a full-fledged agency—and learning how to transition from being the person who does everything to the person who leads a team.

The Backstory

When I first started my business, The Opia Designs Company, I was doing everything myself—grant writing, business development, marketing, client management, and even the back-end administrative tasks. At the time, I was comfortable being hands-on because I knew the quality of my work and I trusted myself to get things done. But as my business grew, I started attracting more clients and larger projects, and suddenly, what once felt manageable became overwhelming.

I hit a point where I had to make a decision: either stay small and overworked or scale my business in a way that allowed me to grow without burning out. I knew that if I wanted to expand my impact, I couldn’t do it alone. That realization forced me to pivot from being a one-person operation to building a strategic growth agency with a team.

The Pivot

I started by bringing in interns and contractors, testing the waters with delegation, and figuring out which roles I needed to fill. It wasn’t an easy transition—letting go of control and trusting others with my work was uncomfortable at first. But as I gradually expanded my team, I saw the power of having a strong support system. Instead of being stuck in the weeds of day-to-day tasks, I was able to focus on big-picture strategy, business growth, and securing more high-level opportunities.

This pivot also led me to restructure my services, shifting from working in my business to working on it. I started creating systems, processes, and training materials so that my team could handle tasks efficiently without everything depending on me. That decision allowed me to take on bigger clients, secure larger contracts, and even start developing new ventures like my upcoming podcast, Love, The Gworls.

The Lesson

Pivoting wasn’t just about scaling my business—it was about redefining what success looked like for me. I had to let go of the idea that I needed to be involved in every detail and embrace the fact that growth requires trust, delegation, and strategic shifts. Now, instead of just being an entrepreneur who works hard, I’m a business owner who builds and leads. And that pivot has made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theopiadesignscompanyllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopiadesignscompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpiaDesignsLLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighmontford/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/dynamicpowerhouseap

Image Credits

Litus Marshall of Vili Photos in Savannah, Georgia