We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Ketch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Owning a business is not easy and creating a successful one is even harder. Over my 13 years in business I’d like to think I have figure out some key aspects to attain a successful business.
1 – Be willing to work. Unlike jobs where you can go to the office for work, then leave your work at the office when you come home, being a business owner means there is a lot of time when you are working behind the scenes on off hours. People sometimes make the mistake of thinking, if they create a business, clients will come. – this is so far from the truth. You have to be willing to hustle and put in the work to draw in your clients.
2 – Know and understand where to invest time/money. A lot of times you have to wear many hats as a business owner. Not only are you the one doing the service you’re offering, but often times you’re the social media manager, the accountant, the receptionist, Graphic Artist, etc. This can often lead to burnout if you’re not careful. Assessing your strengths and where your time is best spent can make all the difference. For me, I found hiring an accountant and help with social media allowed me the time to make more money with bookings, as well, carve out some much needed personal time.
3 – Marketing and Understanding Social Media. People underestimate the power of marketing and brand identity. A marketing plan/budget is a MUST for exposure to the correct clientele which increases profits. Social Media is a powerful tool to increase exposure and profits and often a big part of your marketing plan. Do not be scared to invest money where it will make you MORE money.
4 – Do NOT be afraid of failure. In a society where we’ve created participation awards in place of a valuable lesson in failure and losing, it has created a paralyzing fear of failure. Knowing how to cope and pivot after experiencing failure is a huge key to any businesses success. It is through failure where we learn the most – and this is a positive thing. As a business owner I have tried many different things and have failed miserably at some of them, but that is OK. I found out what worked, what didn’t, what clients wanted or didn’t and was able to tailor my offerings to what clients would invest in (increasing profits and making clients happy).
5 – Good Customer Service. Personally, I have found over the past few years, a general lack in customer service as a whole. A key element to a business’ success is understanding that a business is nothing without its clients. I believe that you do not need to be “the best” at something to be successful, however, if you couple a great client experience with your product/service, clients are more likely to return and tell others about you!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ashley Marie Creative Studios – How it all began… life is a constant journey made up of events, that led me to a career I am passionate about.
Upon graduating college in both, Graphic Design and Photography, I was applying to numerous design firms across the country, trying to land a forever career- because that is what I thought I was supposed to do (graduate High School, go to College, get a career). It wasn’t until the tragic passing of my best friend that I realized life is more than a 9-5 career and I decided to travel to feed my soul!
I utilized my photography education (since I didn’t have the money to travel) and applied as a ship photographer for Royal Caribbean. I got the position, sailed the Caribbean and ignited my passion for photography realizing a 9-5 career for the rest of my life would kill my creative soul.
From that point on I knew I was going to start my own photography business, live my creative passion and my version of success. Today my brand has expanded beyond just photography to include my graphic design and artist skills. I am happy to say I have created my brand and hustled and pivoted my way to having a successful career and am living my passion. I love my life and am incredibly grateful for the beautiful clients that help make it all possible!
About the woman behind the brand – Ashley Marie… I’m just your quirky creative soul who functions on doggy snuggles (from my frenchie named Guacamole), coffee and carbs! I am more of a night owl who doesn’t typically get out of bed until 8:00 AM. Lucky for me, Guac loves to sleep in too!
Reading, dancing, road trips and laughing are a few of my other favourite things! I have two plants that I’ve named Willard and Wilma, in the hopes that humanizing will help me keep them alive (send us all your prayers).
I am excited and passionate about my career, and love creating magic with my clients- whether it be personal or business clients. The variety of clientele I have keeps things spicy and stimulates my creative mind eliminating the chance of monotony and boredom by tailoring each product to most authentically represent my clients.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Remember that time when a thing called COVID shut down the world? – What a scary time for business owners, including myself.
I couldn’t work. I didn’t qualify for any of the government help being offered. I couldn’t draw unemployment.
I had bills. My computer crashed. My wedding clients cancelled.
At this time, my main source of income came from Photography and was the part of my business I could no longer offer with the government lockdown rules. I needed to figure out HOW to make money and fast. Prior to Covid I had been looking into Virtual Tour Cameras for my real estate clients and the addition of Covid made it the prime time to invest. Except… I wasn’t making money and my computer just crashed – talk about stress!! Luckily, I have very supportive parents, hitting up the mom and dad bank with a proposal, they accepted and supported. I was able to purchase my computer and Virtual Camera, and started hustling the virtual tours.
I also leaned more heavily into pushing my Graphic Design, helping local businesses with websites, logos, and everything brand identity related.
I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil at just 2 years of age and started to advertise custom art as great gift options for my local community – who was SO supportive.
When social distancing outside was allowed I was able to continue with family and Senior Sessions.
In the end I was able to pivot and profit, as well as, pay back money I owed for Computer and Virtual Camera. I made more money without weddings than I did with them. Covid really was a blessing in disguise opening up my business to more than I imagined possible.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When I started my business, I legit had $500 US dollars to my name – When the Canadian Dollar was worth more. I already had a camera, so with the trifecta of my camera, social media and supportive family and friends – I started my business.
I think the takeaway is to just start! I didn’t have some big fancy plan, nor did I imagine my business to be exactly how it is today. I didn’t have the latest and greatest camera or lenses and I wasn’t the BEST in the game. I just started. I got better and better over time, I pivoted when needed, and I learned from mistakes instead of giving up. I invested back into my business (and still do) and upgraded equipment when I had the funds to do so, one piece at a time. I used (and continue to use) social media to the best of my ability – even if Facebook memories of shoots past pop up and haunt me! lol
Never think you can’t or you’re not good enough, instead – brainstorm on HOW to make what you want to happen- happen, be open to changes and just start!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleymarie.ca
- Instagram: @ashmariecreative and @ashmariecreative.biz
- Facebook: @ashmariecreative