We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
I started my current brand as the “business hada madrina” aka the business fairygodmother as a result of becoming a resource for small business owners and startup founders in the Latina community during COVID-19. The weekly calls I would have with this small group of changemakers inspired me to write and publish my first book, Jefa in Training, which is a step by step guide to launching and growing your business in Spanglish.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started my career in the music industry – and anyone who has worked in the music industry can tell you that that alone will prepare you for anything.
But I didn’t start out as an entrepreneur, I started out as an artist. I was actively performing as a singer/songwriter in NYC and then moved to Portland, OR after college to “find myself”.
What I didn’t know at the time is that I would end up finding what would be the beginning of a whole new career as a community builder, entrepreneur and coach.
I started my journey in entrepreneurship as an accidental nonprofit founder. Out of a need for a community and resources, I started #WomenCrush Music, an organization dedicated to supporting women songwriters in 2017 and within a year, expanded our programming to 16 international cities.
Because of our rapid growth I had to learn so much in a small amount of time – and then started helping other founders grow their communities and businesses, which ultimately led me to where I am now.
A few reasons I’m different than your normal business coach or consultant:
I’m a natural communicator, strategist + connector, and I see the power in using connection, experiences + combining them with data to help grow businesses. And I love bringing those skills into helping companies expand.
I’m a founder too – and as a founder of an organization that grew to having events in 16 cities in it’s first year, I have the experience of creating an engaged community – a brand, from scratch and am passionate about helping other founders + creatives thrive.
I’m Latina, raised in NYC.
Not only do I have the drive to get things done from growing up amongst endless competition, but I’ve always gravitated towards male-dominated industries. I help underrepresented and underestimated changemakers grow their businesses to help the future generation know that there is room for us at the table – even if that means that we are the ones creating our own tables.
I am a thought partner and team member.
I use a hybrid method of consulting, coaching + being a true thought partner to you, through one-off power strategy sessions, weekly meetings or integrating myself on your team to help you execute the business development strategy we’ve built together. And truthfully, I look out for not just your business, but for you too.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My “why” will always be to create opportunities for my community.
The way I execute this “why” might change over the course of my life – it already has, with my shift from helping women songwriters through #WomenCrush Music to helping Latina entrepreneurs through my current work – but the goal will always be the same.
Create. Educate. Connect. Inspire.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being able to genuinely connect with people and make them feel less alone.
When I was writing and performing original music, there was nothing like seeing people feel the lyrics. And now, there’s nothing like hearing someone say they resonated with the words of my book.
It’s magical.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleykstoyanov.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykstoyanovojeda/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykervabon/