We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Holt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Becoming the Owner and CEO of Ashley Holt Consulting as a single mom was a bold leap of faith at a time when I was determined to reclaim my confidence and purpose. After spending decades in sales, marketing, and advertising, I realized my true passion lay in bringing stories to life and helping brands shine. I took the leap of faith to launch a boutique marketing firm dedicated to authentic storytelling and strategic branding.

That initial risk was just the beginning. As a single mom of two daughters, it sparked a deeper calling within me to empower women to own their stories, build unshakeable confidence, and step into their fullest potential. This led to the creation of She Means Business Magazine, a national platform designed to inspire female entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and recognize their power. It’s become a empowering space where real stories of resilience and courage are celebrated.

This led to my next venutre. I stepped into the role of C.O.O at West Village Entertainment, a record label and entertainemtn company in Nashville. This was an amazing opportunity and expansion of my passion for powerful branding and storytelling, now focused on helping independent artists find their voice and make their mark in the music industry.

Every step of this journey has reinforced a crucial lesson: taking risks isn’t just about moving away from the familiar; it’s about opening doors to incredible opportunities and authentically stepping into your full potential. Aligning with your true purpose creates not just a business, but a movement. It sets off a ripple that touches others, fuels even biggger dreams, and inspires others to rise and follow their own paths.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey from the corporate world to the music industry was not conventional. With over 20 years in marketing and media, including a Fortune 500 powerhouse and the South’s largest media company for women, I realized my true calling was to ignite change on a grander scale.
Ashley Holt Consulting was born from a fierce drive to transform brands into their full potential. I don’t just create marketing strategies; I create powerful brands. What sets me apart? A relentless commitment to authenticity and a personal passion for building unshakable confidence in that—because I’ve experienced the struggle of overcoming self-doubt and personal setbacks firsthand.

My vision expanded with She Means Business Magazine, a national platform dedicated to celebrating and uplifting women entrepreneurs. This magazine isn’t just about stories; it’s about creating a movement where women are inspired to embrace their power, redefine success on their own terms and become the CEO of her life.
Now, as the COO of West Village Entertainment, I’m impacting Nashville’s music scene, empowering independent artists and helping them catapult to mainstream success. My mission is to nurture talent, create impactful strategies, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.

What am I most proud of? The lives transformed through my work—whether it’s launching a visionary business, guiding an artist to their breakthrough, or watching a woman’s confidence soar. My brand is about more than marketing; it’s about making lasting impacts. I believe in the power of stories to change the world, and my mission is to help others rise, shine, and unapologetically pursue their dreams.With every project, I bring an unstoppable energy and a fierce dedication to turning potential into extraordinary reality.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the toughest lessons I had to unlearn was that my value wasn’t dependent on perfection or external validation. I once believed that success meant being flawless and constantly seeking approval. But when I faced significant losses—divorce, financial instability, personal setbacks—I discovered that true resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about rising and evolving with each challenge.

I chose to dismantle the illusion of perfection and focused on building a strong, authentic, purpose-driven company. Launching Ashley Holt Consulting was my commitment to helping others bring their unique brand to life with confidence, embracing their perceived imperfections as strengths. This mindset shift also inspired me to create She Means Business Magazine, a platform dedicated to showcasing and empowering authentic, resilient women entrepreneurs.

The core lesson? Resilience is about how we adapt and grow through adversity, not about avoiding failure. I’m proud of the woman I’ve become—not perfect, but real, resilient, and focused on helping others build and express their true selves through a powerful brand identity.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra has been a guiding force in my journey.

The Law of Pure Potentiality: I learned to kickstart my confidence and tap into my creative energy, launching Ashley Holt Consulting and tapping into my full potential.

The Law of Giving: By focusing on adding value and supporting others, I built She Means Business Magazine into a national platform for empowerment.

The Law of Karma (Cause and Effect): As I aligned with my true purpose, I attracted opportunities that perfectly matched my mission and vision.

The Law of Least Effort: I learned that true effortlessness is about taking inspired actions that align with my passions, making the journey purpose-driven and more fulfilling.

The Law of Intention and Desire: Clear, purposeful intentions guided me in achieving my goals and milestones that also aligned with my deeper vision.

The Law of Detachment: By releasing rigid expectations, I embraced perceived setbacks as set ups, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

The Law of Dharma (Purpose in Life): From a place of deep self-doubt, I found my voice and my worth. This profound journey from feeling insignificant to embracing my purpose led me to dedicate my life to helping others discover their own worth and fulfill their potential.

These principles have shaped my journey from overcoming self-doubt to creating a life of purpose and impact. I hope my story inspires others to find their own path, trust in their potential, and rise with unshakeable confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bit.ly/AshleyHolt_SheMeansBusiness and https://bit.ly/AshleyHoltConsulting and https://bit.ly/WestVillageEntertainment
• Instagram: @ashley_holt_consulting and @she_means_business_magazine
• Facebook: Ashley Holt
• Linkedin: Ashley Holt
• Other: She Means Business Magazine link here: https://bit.ly/SheMeansBusinessMagazineV3

Image Credits

family photo: silamore photography