We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Bates a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

Growing up, I was taught the traditional path: go to school, graduate high school, get a degree, find a career, and work until retirement. Entrepreneurship was never something I considered—I was comfortable in my hometown. But then COVID happened. Being home with my children gave me time to reflect, and I realized there had to be more to life than the city I grew up in.

That realization led me to make a major change—I moved to the Dallas area. Even though I continued working a 9-to-5 in the aerospace industry, something inside me felt different. I knew I wanted more. People had always told me I had a great eye, how they loved my content & how creative I was… though I didn’t always see it on a professional level, I kept it in the back of my mind. But I’ve always loved art, photography, and videography.

Then, in June 2024, I was let go from my job. It was the biggest sign I could have received. I already seen signs from God, but this was the push I needed. So, I decided to go all in—to bet on myself and help other with their brand/business.

Ashley, 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 knew I wanted to go into business for myself and do something I was truly good at. Social media has always been my thing—I’ve always had a great eye for visuals, and I naturally understand how to create engaging content. But I didn’t stop there. I took the time to dive deeper, learning the business side of social media—engagement strategies, insights, analytics, and everything that helps a brand grow online.

Now, as a social media manager and content strategist, I help businesses, brands, influencers, and creators manage their social media presence. My services go beyond just posting—I handle editing, engaging with direct messages and comments, tracking analytics, and ensuring consistent content that aligns with their brand. Many people simply don’t have the time to post regularly, while others struggle with knowing what to post. That’s where I step in—to free up their time and ensure their content remains consistent, relevant, and impactful.

As a content strategist, I work with businesses and creators to develop content that tells a story, captures attention, and aligns with their brand goals. Whether it’s lifestyle, educational, or informational content, I help them plan and execute content —whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly. I strategize locations, develop creative concepts, and identify trending video formats that will stop people from scrolling. My goal is to bring fresh, unique ideas to life—ideas that help businesses stand out in a crowded digital space.

The reality is, many entrepreneurs and brands are amazing at what they do. They excel in fashion, finance, coaching, product creation—but they don’t always have the time or creative energy to maintain a consistent social media presence. That’s where I come in—I bridge the gap between their expertise and the visibility they need to grow.

What sets me apart? My creativity and vision. Ideas come to me like a lightbulb going off—I can instantly see how a brand can position itself better, what type of content will resonate with their audience, and how to bring everything together in a way that feels seamless. On top of that, I’m highly organized and consistent, which allows me to execute strategies efficiently.

But beyond the work itself, what truly fuels me is the impact I have on my clients. The messages, the voice notes, the gratitude from business owners who finally feel a weight lifted—it reminds me why I do what I do. Running a business alone is overwhelming. You can’t do it all by yourself, and you shouldn’t have to. You need a team, a strategy, and systems in place so that you’re not running on empty. My goal is to help entrepreneurs not just grow their business, but also create balance—so they’re not constantly stressed, burnt out, or operating from a place of lack.

When you invest in your social media and content strategy, you’re investing in the growth and longevity of your business. And I’m here to help make that happen.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I always heard that being an entrepreneur or business owner requires strong faith and an unshakable mindset—that the journey is filled with roadblocks. I believed it, but I never truly understood it until I experienced it myself.

Entrepreneurship is built on resilience. You have to believe in yourself, even when things aren’t moving as fast as you’d like. You have to understand that success takes time. You have to have faith every single second of every single day—because doubt will try to creep in, and comparison will try to throw you off course. It’s easy to look at someone else’s success and wonder why you’re not there yet, but what you’re seeing is their now, not their seven years ago. You don’t see the struggles, the sacrifices, or the moments they almost gave up.

There will be incredible days, and there will be challenging ones. That’s why it’s so important to document your wins—big or small. Celebrate your progress. Look back at how far you’ve come so that on the hard days, you have proof that you’re moving forward.

Whether you’re building a business for yourself, your family, or your future, investing in your own dreams instead of someone else’s is always a win. The fact that you wake up every day and keep going is already a victory. And when you think about it, we’re blessed to have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship—something many of our ancestors never had the right or ability to do. We owe it to them. We owe it to ourselves.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve always been a private person, keeping to myself and staying off the radar on social media. My Instagram was private for years because that’s what felt comfortable to me. But when I started my business, I had to face a hard truth—staying in my shell wouldn’t get me the exposure I needed. If I wanted to grow, I had to put myself out there.

That meant showing up publicly, attending networking events, and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I had to get used to introducing myself—whether at a business event or even just while grabbing dinner alone. The connections I make now will shape the future I’m working toward.

There’s so much I want to do, not just for myself, but for my community—both here and back home in Rockford, Illinois. And to make an impact, I have to build relationships, learn how I can help others, and also be open to receiving help. I’ve realized that being mysterious won’t serve me in the long run. For a long time, I kept to myself as a way to protect my energy, to avoid negativity or naysayers—but the truth is, that kind of noise will always be there, no matter what.

Looking back, there are two things I wish I had learned earlier in life:
1. Never care what people think—as long as you are genuine, authentic, and intentional, outside opinions don’t matter.
2. Don’t take things personally—people’s reactions, doubts, or judgments are often more about them than they are about you.

Now, I’m stepping into this next chapter with confidence, knowing that growth comes from being seen, making connections, and betting on myself every single day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ashleyelizabethab
• Linkedin: Ashley Grace
• Youtube: @gracewithashley