We recently connected with Ashley Bradshaw and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My mother is my hero. She has shown me since a child what it looks like to never give up. She stands tall in her beliefs and finishes everything she starts whether things go as planned or not. She doesn’t quit! She never lets the small things majorly impact her drive to succeed. At the same time, she also understands that things happen beyond our control and it is not the end of the world if things fail or if you need to start over. She’s given me grace & balance. That has taught me how to stay motivated even in my darkest times. I think about how many times she could have chosen to give up and did not. She got up, dusted herself off and tried it a new way. I admire that. Her intelligence, her strength and resilience play a major role in who I am today. She has influenced me to not only start S.M.S Natural Bath and Body but she is one of my biggest motivations to keep going. She never lets me half ass my work or slack on developing my skills as a cosmetologist. She encourages me constantly to be my best at all times, but to be easy on myself and take breaks when i need them. She reminds me that I’m human and doesn’t force me to be perfect or feel it necessary to compete with others. I appreciate that the most because i can be hard on myself at times about business. She encourages me to celebrate all wins small or big but also appreciates my losses and to learn from them .
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 am Ashley Bradshaw. On social media I’m known as The Beauty Hustler (FB), ATX Beauty Hustler (IG) or S.M.S Natural Bath & Body Products (FB). I am a licensed Cosmetologist and have been in the industry for over 10+ years. Specializing in protective hairstyles, lash extensions and natural nail care influenced me to start my own line of customized beauty products. I offer an array of beauty services to women and children in the Austin, Pflugerville and Round Rock area. During the pandemic I gained an interest in holistic skincare and combined what I learned with things i saw that were missing in salons that I’ve worked in and created products to cater to women who were looking for plant based skincare for themselves and their families. I make customized herbal tea blends, handmade soap bars, shampoos, hair oils, body butters, hair conditioners & face & body oils to help aid with skin conditions such as eczema and dry skin. My products are made to help your skin stay soft and hydrated. Scrub, Moisturize and Shine is our Motto. I believe it is so important that i put it in our name!
I am proud of my brand because it has helped so many women ease the itching, scabs and wounds that their children get from eczema and dry skin. It makes me feel good to know that i am actually helping others in my community while teaching my own children the importance of self care and personal hygiene. Becoming a business owner has given me the time to home school my three 3 children and build better bonds with them. We are a family business and they will be releasing a kids line soon! You can purchase our products and book your appointments with me here: https://www.atxbeautyhustler.com/
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to unlearn was the want to please everybody. I would literally stress myself out trying to make products that are tailored to every group of people. Trying to target every skin issue that someone brought to my inbox. It’s exhausting, especially for a small business that’s just getting started. There’s a reason why people tell you to find your target audience. When you figure out your audience, everything will fall into place. The consumers who need your products will find you. I did not understand that at all at first.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The pandemic really shifted things for everyone. It totally changed what it meant to be a business owner. Everywhere you turned it seemed as if someone else had started a beauty brand. It was discouraging to say the least. I had put so much time, money and effort into learning about herbs and holistic alternatives, getting quality supplies and packaging only to find out that there were actually private labels creating generalized products and letting companies slap their names on them as if they’d studied and created something of quality. On social media, beauty brands became a joke. I wanted and needed to get taken seriously so I got into creating content. I’m a private person so showing me actually working, molding, mixing together my products, making tutorial videos, getting out & networking and vending changed my outlook completely. It forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me that it doesn’t matter if there’s someone else doing what you do. Stay true to you, be relatable and consistent and you will always shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atxbeautyhustler.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atxbeautyhustler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSAllNaturalBathandBody
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-bradshaw-3678b2ba/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/TheATXBeautyHustler