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

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

Success can sometimes look shiny and instant from the outside, but it’s very different when you’re in the thick of it. For me, scaling my business wasn’t about one single, transformative moment. It was a journey made up of countless strategic decisions, setbacks, learning curves, and small wins that added up over time.

In the beginning, I had a clear vision but a very limited resource pool. I started small, working with a handful of clients and pouring everything I had into making those projects not only succeed but exceed expectations. My first lesson was the importance of investing in relationships. In the early days, my time and energy were my greatest assets, so I leaned heavily into building trust with my clients and delivering beyond what I promised. Word-of-mouth referrals became a powerful growth tool, and soon enough, clients were coming to me because they had heard about the results I was achieving.

As the demand increased, so did my need to build an infrastructure that could support that growth. This meant implementing systems, hiring the right people, and developing a streamlined workflow. But scaling up was far from smooth. I remember feeling stretched in every direction, juggling roles that ranged from CEO to project manager, content creator, client service, and beyond. There were definitely moments where I questioned if I could sustain the level of intensity required.

A turning point came when I realized the importance of letting go—of tasks that others could handle, of the idea that I had to do everything myself, and of the belief that growth only happened when I was directly involved. This led to bringing on team members who were not only talented but who aligned with my vision and values. Delegation allowed me to focus on higher-level strategy, which was critical for taking my business to the next level.

Another strategic move was investing in technology and processes that could automate and streamline our operations. We created workflows that allowed us to manage multiple projects without compromising on quality. I realized early that investing in the right tools could free up time for creativity and strategy, which ultimately drove us forward.

Of course, there were plenty of obstacles along the way. I’ve made mistakes—missteps in hiring, projects that didn’t go as planned, marketing strategies that fell flat. But each mistake was a valuable lesson. One of the most impactful was learning to trust my intuition. I remember a particular project where I felt misaligned from the start but convinced myself to push through for the “experience.” It ended up draining a lot of time and resources, teaching me to prioritize clients and projects that felt right and aligned with the company I wanted to build.

Scaling my business has been like walking a winding path, with moments of self-doubt, pivots, and some steep learning curves. The key has been maintaining clarity around my vision while staying flexible enough to adapt to changes. In the end, my success wasn’t built overnight—it was built through perseverance, strategic decisions, and the willingness to embrace every twist and turn along the way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Ashley Deland, a Strategic Business Advisor and CEO of Maison De Land, a creative design house that supports lifestyle brands and founder’s alike.

My journey into this industry started with a deep curiosity for understanding what makes businesses succeed and a drive to help visionary female founders bring their ideas to life.

Early in my career, I had the privilege of working with thought leaders at ideaCity, where I gained exposure to remarkable minds like Deepak Chopra and Margaret Atwood.

This experience shaped my perspective on business, creativity, and the importance of creating something truly meaningful.

Over the years, I’ve worked across multiple billion-dollar industries, managing marketing portfolios, operational strategies, and event development. I realized early on that my passion was not just in strategy, but in bringing a vision to life for founders who want to build brands that matter.

Today, I work with clients globally, helping them grow and scale businesses that align with both their professional and personal ambitions.

At Maison De Land, our mission is to empower female founders to not only grow their businesses but to create brands that have a real impact on their customers and their communities.

We help our clients navigate challenges like market positioning, unique selling propositions, digital exposure, and brand storytelling. In essence, I take complex business concepts and transform them into accessible, actionable strategies that make sense for my clients, helping them turn their ideas into successful businesses.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We’re not just providing strategy; we’re deeply involved in every step, from crafting a brand’s voice and aesthetic to building a customer journey that feels seamless and personal.

We work closely with each client to ensure their brand reflects their values and resonates with their audience, all while focusing on tangible growth and impact.

Our services are curated to not only address the practical side of business growth but also the mindset shifts needed to truly scale and succeed.

One of my proudest moments was when we successfully helped clients get their products on the shelves of Walmart, which was a testament to the power of strategic brand-building and the kind of success that feels like a true partnership.

Ultimately, I want my clients and community to know that my work is about more than just business growth; it’s about empowering women to create something extraordinary, build wealth, and redefine what success means on their terms.

I’m incredibly passionate about supporting women as they step into their full potential, and I consider it a privilege to walk this journey alongside them.

Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.

Yes, I’ve had the experience of selling multiple businesses throughout my career, and each one has been an incredible learning journey.

My most recent sale was a bricks-and-mortar restaurant called Karmah, Canada’s first vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free restaurant with a focus on “natural foods ready to go.”

Launching Karmah was a passion project that merged my commitment to health-conscious, accessible dining with a need I saw in the market for plant-based options that catered to various dietary needs.

Through selling a business, I’ve learned, it is as much about strategic planning as it is about creating a brand that resonates deeply with its audience.

One of the critical lessons from Karmah was the importance of establishing systems and processes that would allow it to operate seamlessly, even without my daily involvement. This not only made the transition easier but also made the business more attractive to potential buyers.

Additionally, brand differentiation was key. Karmah filled a unique niche, which made it stand out in a competitive industry.

Buyers look for a business that not only has a loyal customer base but also a strong, memorable brand identity. Positioning Karmah as the go-to for high-quality, vegan, and allergen-friendly food options helped create a lasting impression in the market, which ultimately increased its appeal.

Timing was another crucial factor.

Selling Karmah at a time when the demand for plant-based and gluten-free options was surging/trending allowed me to maximize the value of the business.

For any entrepreneur looking to sell, I would emphasize staying connected to market trends and building your brand to align with both current and future needs.

Having gone through the process of building and selling multiple businesses, I carry these insights forward, helping my clients not only grow their ventures but also build them into valuable, saleable assets when the time is right.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe that my reputation within the market has been shaped by a deep commitment to serving and uplifting women globally.

Having been raised by a single mother, I experienced firsthand the power of resilience, independence, and the impact of strong community support. This upbringing inspired my fierce dedication to helping other women overcome obstacles and build successful, purpose-driven lives and businesses.

Community building has always been at the core of my work.

I’ve intentionally created spaces—whether through programs, events, or advisory services—where female founders feel seen, valued, and empowered.

I approach every client relationship with the goal of fostering not just business growth but genuine, lasting impact.

I’m also deeply passionate about creating accessible, actionable strategies that simplify the complexities of business growth, because I want my clients to feel that success is attainable and that their dreams are within reach.

Ultimately, my reputation has been shaped by my commitment to empowering women to build not just profitable businesses, but lives that align with their values and goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleydeland.com
• Instagram: @ashleydeland
• Linkedin: Ashley Deland

Image Credits

After All Photography