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

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The story behind Shi Bella’s was always a dream that was suddenly an opportunity that’s grown more than I ever could of imagined. In 2015 I was deathly ill and was told I was lucky to be alive. To help with the tough news at the time, my mom suggested we stop and see kittens and I left with two, this is where Shiloh and Bella became my first babies and would later become a business name. During this time, I was working in an accessory store and often times found myself remaking or creating pieces for a panicked bride who needed unique pieces for her maid of honor and bridesmaids. One person in my life that loved jewelry and accessories more than myself was my mother. She passed away in January of 2021 and and my mission became clear. The only way that I could really make me feel connected to her again was going to be through accessories. Sure she is not here to be my number one buyer, or have all the same things as me, but I know some one out there needed these accessories like I need her. Accessories made us a happy, beautiful and bold. I wanted every woman or person we encountered young or old to feel that. With my business I wanted that to also a have a bold name but close to home, so my first business baby was named after my first babies. Something else that I loved could be conjoined into this and the joy all around would be shared. I hope that someone can pick up that pair of earrings and think to themselves how perfect they are for themselves or someone else in their life because there is one thing we always lose site of or forget is the power of an accessory. We often forget how any accessory can make your outfit complete and bold, it also can make you feel so gorgeous too.

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.

Shi Bella’s is making someone feel your best. Have you ever heard of putting on your makeup, styling your hair and getting cute, just to feel better when you just don’t feel yourself? It works, and it works because you just made yourself feel beautiful. A similar experience happens with accessories and that’s what we are here to offer and help with. We currently are blessed and had an amazing offer to feature our product at Island Sham Farmhouse, if you haven’t heard, is the most amazing candle shop that happens to feature the cutest accessories now.
I would have to say I am looking forward to expanding accessories from earrings and bracelets, to necklaces and other accessories like hair accessories. We are also starting to offer more services of assisting with helping women accessorize their outfits and how to’s. Building staple items for casual everyday wear or to dress up those outfits. The brand will always be empowering women to feel bold, and beautiful and never losing site of themselves. Young or old, mother or child, we think everyone should feel like a statement in your own unique way. There is something for everyone and I can also offer customized pieces. I am a believer you are never to young or old to wear bold accessories or to have those mommy and me moments and match.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started Shi Bella’s 1 year after my mother passed away, and waited so long because I was scared of doing it. Taking a leap and not having her their with me to do it and give me advice. Fast forward to taking care of my dad and trying to sit in doctors offices and hospitals knotting macrame and feeling like I just did not have the time or ability to pour into this. Every time I wanted to throw in the towel or take a break, I would have a customer tell me she was obsessed with my earrings and was a always excited for new pieces I put out. Then my dad who would tell me no one else will feel as passionate about this as you or your mom. To my friends that are family that refused to let me fail. To remind me I was not going to give up on my dream and mission and no matter what, not lose site of it. When I was going through the death of both of my parents really shook my visions and goals but it allowed me the ability to have my support system jumping in and being there to do simple things to ensure I never lost site of this and to keep finding the joy in these little things. While they sat and tagged and took picture and shared joy in all of my crazy ideas.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Pricing, pricing, pricing! If there is one thing I have struggled with it is pricing, because you find passion in your craft. You find joy, love and eagerness to share, that you naturally just want to give it away. But you lose site of the pricing of your products and your time. I think as a business person it is so easy to become so lost in the time you spend is just as valuable as the products you use are. More recently I have really been working on accepting and learning this. I am most definitely a work in progress and this is not something you learn overnights. You have to work at it everyday and each time you are working on your passion.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: shi_bellas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100083185809632
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/ashley-hughes-73802695