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

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I’ve found that success really comes down to understanding who you are and what matters to you. Early in my business journey, I got caught up in what others told me success should look like. But I’ve learned that when you take time for self-discovery and define success on your own terms, you often realize it’s more attainable than you initially thought.
Of course, having that vision is just the beginning. Success requires disciplined execution – showing up consistently, building effective systems, and staying committed even when things get challenging. You’ve got to remain open-minded too, because the path rarely looks exactly like you imagined. Sometimes the best opportunities come from being willing to adapt and try new approaches.
But here’s what I’ve found to be absolutely crucial – having a strong support system. Let me share something that really shaped my perspective. After graduating from Mecklenburg County’s Business Launchpad program, I found myself part of an incredible network of 18 fellow business owners. Now, whenever we hit a rough patch or need a fresh perspective, we know we can pick up the phone and get honest feedback. It’s amazing how having people who understand your journey can help you push through challenges and spot opportunities you might have missed on your own.
I believe success isn’t about following someone else’s blueprint – it’s about understanding your unique value, consistently delivering excellence, and surrounding yourself with people who support your vision while challenging you to grow. When you combine these elements while staying true to your core values, that’s when you create sustainable success.

Ashley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Thank you for this opportunity to share our story! I’m Ashley Johnson, founder and CEO of Creative Cresco. My journey into proposal development began unexpectedly in 2016 when I transitioned from Assistant Project Manager to Marketing Manager at a Southeast-based general contractor. That first introduction to the proposal process sparked a passion that would shape my career and eventually lead to founding Creative Cresco.
Over nearly a decade, I’ve immersed myself in every aspect of proposal management and marketing. My background combines a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Marketing from Kennesaw State University with specialized training in graphic design from Emory University. This unique blend of education and hands-on experience allows me to approach proposal development from both strategic and creative perspectives.
What makes Creative Cresco different is our deep understanding of service-based businesses. Having worked with both prime contractors and subcontractors, I’ve seen firsthand how capable businesses often miss out on valuable opportunities simply because they lack the resources to navigate government contracting effectively. We bridge this gap by providing comprehensive proposal development services, from opportunity research through final submission, specifically tailored for small businesses in industries like janitorial services, landscaping, and facility maintenance.
One of my proudest achievements has been developing our proposal management system, which transforms complex government requirements into clear, actionable steps. As a HUB-certified minority-owned business, we’re particularly passionate about creating economic equity in government contracting. This passion drives everything we do, from our accessible proposal templates to our educational workshops conducted in partnership with local agencies.
For businesses considering working with us, I want you to know that we understand your challenges because we’ve lived them. Whether you’re pursuing your first government contract or expanding your portfolio, we provide the expertise, tools, and support needed to succeed. You can find us sharing practical insights and breaking down complex contracting topics on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
At Creative Cresco, we measure our success through our clients’ achievements. Every contract won represents not just a business milestone, but a step toward greater economic opportunity in our community. Our mission is to make government contracting accessible to capable small businesses, and we’re committed to being your partner in that journey.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My path to founding Creative Cresco represents the perfect fusion of my two passions: graphic design and proposal management. For over a decade, I built a successful freelance graphic design side hustle alongside my corporate career, which gave me a unique perspective on visual communication and brand storytelling. While most proposal managers focused solely on content, my background in graphic design allowed me to see proposals differently – not just as technical documents but as powerful marketing tools that could tell a compelling visual story. I invested in deepening both skill sets, joining SMPS for proposal expertise while pursuing continuing education in graphic design at Emory University.
The pivotal moment came in 2022 during my role as a Business Development Manager. Working alongside a passionate CEO, I recognized a significant gap in the market: small businesses needed more than just proposal writing – they needed a partner who could combine strategic proposal development with professional design to create truly standout submissions.
This realization led to the founding of Creative Cresco, where we leverage both technical expertise and design principles to help service-based businesses win government contracts. Our approach isn’t just about compliance – it’s about creating visually compelling, well-designed proposals that capture evaluators’ attention while meeting every technical requirement.
Key milestones in our journey include developing our signature proposal management system that makes complex government requirements more accessible and launching our proposal template library that brings professional-grade design and content within reach for small businesses. Today, as a HUB-certified minority-owned business, we’re proud to help other small businesses navigate their growth journey through government contracting.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our client growth has primarily come from two sources. Referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations have been our strongest channel, reflecting our clients’ success in winning government contracts.
The second source has been our educational content on YouTube. We’ve built trust with business owners starting their contracting journey by creating practical videos that break down government contracting topics. Check out our educational content on YouTube and LinkedIn for guidance on navigating the government marketplace, whether you’re ready to engage our services or just exploring opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creativecresco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecresco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-cresco
• Twitter: https://x.com/AshleyAtCresco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeCresco
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/creativecresco/

  Book a Consultation: https://calendar.app.google/nkdDahtYBHdNfrPs6

Image Credits

Belle Rouge Photography