We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Childress. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

My name is Ashley Childress! I’m a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Southern California. When I was young, I used to sell handmade jewelry, setting the stage for a lifelong creative business mindset. My passion for business was only enhanced while an undergraduate student at the USC Marshall School of Business, where I learned relevant skills to become a successful business owner. Upon graduation, I worked full time as a Marketing Specialist at Amazon, but I always wanted to use more of my creative skills. Due to my love for event planning and photography, I decided to take the risk and start a part-time photo booth business. Starting this company has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I always felt like I couldn’t be myself if I was working for someone else, so I wanted to start a career where I could have full autonomy and be my authentic self. At Authentic Expressions, we prioritize authenticity and experiences that are unique to you. We pride ourselves on creating a professional, customizable experience to capture timeless moments and make every event memorable. The photo booth industry is rapidly growing but what sets us apart is our dedication to making your dream event come to life while staying within your budget. We offer high-quality photo prints, professional lighting, top-of-the-line equipment, unique props, and a red carpet to enhance the overall feel of the event.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always had a passion for event planning and decor and was eager to put my skills to use. After planning countless parties, and encountering numerous challenges with finding venues, my family and I developed an interest in owning our own event venue. We planned to make it an all-inclusive rental experience for the client. The cost would include the use of tables, chairs, photography, decor, food, and all other event necessities. Of course, in 2023 the real estate market wasn’t great, so we decided to postpone our idea. I decided to channel my enthusiasm into a solo venture, focusing on my love for photo booths. I began extensive research on photo booths, pricing, and successful local companies. Taking a leap of faith, I invested my savings in my first camera, anticipating at least 10 clients to break even. Despite the inherent risks, my confidence paid off – I not only recouped my investment within a year but also expanded, acquiring a second camera and servicing more events than initially expected. I now use my story to encourage anyone who is thinking about starting a business to go for it!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

As a marketer, both corporate and freelance, I’ve learned that sales and clients will not come overnight, but it’s important to continue exploring every channel for leads. I have seen most of my success come through my personal network and word-of-mouth marketing. I make sure I attend events with a smile and business cards in hand so I can meet prospective clients. I also engage in social media marketing on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @ae.photobooths! Since the premise of the company is authenticity, I don’t take a typical approach to my marketing. I create content that is more casual and personable to reflect myself and my brand. I love to interact with my audience and building such a supportive community has helped my business grow even more. I also have occasional ads on Bark, Google, and Craigslist which have led to about 50% of our events. If I had to offer advice, I would say don’t get discouraged. It’s easy to feel like you aren’t making progress one day, but the next day you may have multiple leads or new followers. The fun part of being a business owner is that every day there could be a new opportunity or challenge. You’ll constantly be updating your marketing strategy to meet the needs of the consumer.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative business owner is that every aspect of my business is an extension of who I am. From the name of the business, to the color scheme, fonts, marketing, and operations, I have the privilege of exerting full creative control. It’s truly a blessing to be paid for doing something I love and to wake up excited to work and connect with clients. Being part of special moments in people’s lives is a genuine pleasure, and I cherish the opportunity to contribute positively to their events. It is truly a privilege to help a client create an event they will always cherish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aephotobooths.com/
• Instagram: ae.photobooths
• Facebook: ae.photobooths
• Yelp: AE Photo Booths
• Other: Tiktok ae.photobooths