Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Easton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

When we talk about risks, I think everyone commonly thinks of negative implications. Why is it that we’ve become so focused on the potential of bad when there’s also potential for something great with risks, even when one fails!?

Within my own life, one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was quitting my comfortable career to move out to the middle of nowhere and start brand new.
We had a dream – to live a peaceful life without the complications that our modern world has presented. To live for ourselves as opposed to living to work.
We built our own home, just the two of us to live a debt free life and have the opportunity to truly live and see the world.
It was a massive risk to undergo an entire build on our own, but we did it and that confidence only grew within me after such an accomplishment!

While we wanted to live simple lives, we still had to bring in some sort of income and the world kind of pushed me towards doing hair and makeup for weddings – something I swore I’d never do when I worked in the salon. I spent one summer working with other companies to dip my toes in the water and see if it was something I was actually capable of and then dove head first into it- taking yet another huge risk, but not without a potential for huge gains!

My first season on my own was a whirlwind of imposter syndrome and “I can do this!”. Here I was, an unmarried gal getting a bride ready on her biggest day yet! It was scary, but the feedback I was receiving was amazing! I was one of very few local artists in my area, and I was offering a style that just wasn’t big yet with a lot of artists – flawlessly yourself.
I began working more within the elopement space and was starting to feel like I belonged and building my name at a faster pace than I could have hoped for.

In 2019 my business was finding success and I took yet another risk – I put myself on what I thought was the number one bridal vendor search website around. It was the most expensive marketing available, and I felt this was the best option to truly grow my business!
What a complete failure that was. I lived in and was servicing such a small, rural area that almost every single inquiry from the site ghosted me.
I refused to let that mistake bring me down and powered through, marketing myself on Google and Facebook. Finding local vendors to connect with and becoming a known face in my surrounding areas. I worked even harder to shine against all the amazing competition I had from the metro artists that were so well known. I practiced styles and looks every day and scoured the internet, learning everything I could about the bridal industry and how I might be able to make my mark on it.

One day it finally found me – Adventure elopements.
I’d been working with brides who were eloping, usually at The Garden of the Gods and understood this new niche portion of bridal a bit. I knew this was a beautiful way to escape the chaos of a traditional wedding, but when I saw the photos from the photographers ‘Adventure Instead’ I about died.
This was the coolest thing I’d ever seen! I was in absolute awe and literally obsessed over this for a good, long week. When I say obsessed, I mean the true definition of the word.
I was ready to take another risk, I was totally going to become a photographer!

*Everyone can have a good hearty laugh right here, especially if you actually know me.

I’m not really one to take photos. I never ever edited my pictures when I posted them online. Basically, I’m no photographer! Yet here I was convinced this was going to be my new career.
Zach, my other half was listening to me ramble about this and talk about cameras, that I also know nothing about and finally brings up this obvious point.

“Do you know how to edit photos Ashley?”
“….no” I reply. “What’s editing photos?”

So yeah, obviously I didn’t completely change careers! I was not ready to let go of this path of getting paid to hike in some of the most beautiful places imaginable though. I continued to follow Adventure Instead and broaden my horizons to these adventure elopements. One day as I was looking at this bride on top of a peak and I noticed a large portion of these photos are from far away. Instantly I wondered what they looked like up close.
“When I hike, I look like a sweaty pig and I can’t imagine I’d be looking great up there.”
Light bulb moment!
I knew what I wanted to do. Hike up with the crew and get the bride ready on top of the mountain!!

This idea took over me and I seriously started researching how I could make this happen, or if someone else maybe already had that idea! I never was one to come up with amazing things, so I figured someone has definitely already been doing this.
I honestly found no one.

I knew this was another time to take some risks!
I started reaching out to photographers and trying to coordinate a styled shoot where I could test out my theory of getting a bride ready outdoors. The feedback from photographers was amazing and it seemed like I really hit the nail on the head, everyone was looking for something like I was trying to offer!

My first adventure elopements were awesome, but I wasn’t truly prepared. Each bride, I’ve learned more and more of how exactly they could or would need me. I’ve found the tools I needed to invest in to provide stellar service to someone who’s completely within the elements. I’ve learned that aesthetics is not the only thing I can offer as well! I’m here for my bride, but also your photographer and videographer, if you’ve got one, so they can capture everything and not miss moments.
I’ve come to grasp that not only is a bride looking for someone who will ensure she’s looking insanely beautiful, but a person who cares about your day and the experience you’re looking to have. Someone who will go above and beyond just hair and makeup, a friend there for you and your partner!

Without taking risks and doing seemingly scary things, I’d never have found a place where I could combine my talents with my passion.
Without failing, I may have still been on a traditional path fighting burn out once again.
Risks are meant to take you places you’ve never been.
Risks open up the opportunity for adventure!
Take the risks, and fail with grace! You’ll only regret what you didn’t try!

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?

Hey there! I’m Ashley, owner and artist of A Vow to Artistry, traveling hair and makeup. I was a traditional stylist at a salon for 8 years who went rogue and found the bridal industry. I then changed my own game and created an adventure elopement package – offering hair and makeup services in remote places, no electricity needed!

A Vow to Artistry has 3 artists who offer hair and makeup services before your event and myself offering services for your adventurous elopement, on or off the trail!
All three team members are highly trained professionals who honestly care about how our brides feel on their big day!

The motto here at A Vow to Artistry –
Be yourself. Feel comfortable. Look flawless.

I’m incredibly proud of the team I’ve built. I have the most authentic women by my side, who care just as much as I do about each and every person we take care of. I am so pleased to be able to offer services to more folks as we continue to grow as a business!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Actually, yes! There was a huge, main driver in becoming my own boss that has absolutely zero to do with the beauty industry.

Since I was a kid, I’ve been completely infatuated with saving animals. I wanted to be a vet when I was really little and when I realized that wasn’t a reality for me, I turned to fostering dogs and working with rescues.

When I worked in the salon I would often miss out on events with rescues, especially during the weekends. When I began in the bridal industry, I knew there would be an off season and that I could make my own schedule – making time for a passion project that began when I was young.
As time goes on, my ultimate goal is to have a senior dog sanctuary. I have always loved the old souls and calm demeanor of older dogs and have never understood why they get the short stick almost every time.
I aim to change the way people look at senior animals and offer a better understanding of their amazing natures. I’m hopeful that all the connections I’ve built in the bridal world will have a positive impact on these future dreams and that I may have greater success because of the infinitely amazing people I’d never have met otherwise!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The hands down most rewarding aspect of the entire beauty industry is to watch someone’s face light up when they look at themselves. Whether it is a perfectly tailored hair and makeup look, or changing someones hair to compliment their features – I have always loved seeing someone feel good!

One of the main reasons I felt I may do well in bridal beauty was because I wanted to offer a look that didn’t change anything about a person – I truly want you to feel and look like yourself, but enhanced!
When I began, it was a lot harder to find a bride who was somewhere in between actual no makeup and full glam makeup.

Each and every face and head has its own beauty and features that are perfect! If we focus on those, we see the best in ourselves and illuminate our individuality!

It’s absolutely a reward to see that mentality come to life and see people love themselves!

Contact Info:

• Website: avowtoartistry.com
• Instagram: @avowtoartistry
• Facebook: facebook.com/avowtoartistry

Image Credits
Image 1 – Amanda Podesta Photography Image 2-4 & 6-8 – Paige Weber Photography Image 5 – Vows and Peaks Photography