We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Mangione a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I have worked alongside children and families for the last thirty years as a teacher and life-coach and have experienced the confusion, judgment, and heartache that can occur when there is a weakness in focus issues. Many of these precious humans are impacted by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder whether diagnosed officially or not. The negative messages that are internalized as a child due to focus deficiencies can be carried throughout life and often affect confidence and self-esteem. ADHD and focus challenges are rooted in neurobiology and have no relation to a person’s intelligence, although people are frequently made to feel that way. Often, even well-intentioned teachers and parents do not grasp the struggles of how focus concerns influence those affected. No person should ever feel shame for the way that their brain is wired. I want to do everything in my power to reduce any stigmas associated with any type of neurodiversity and to provide the services that I wish I would have had as a mom raising kids. I work with children through adults to help them understand how to improve executive functioning skills that we all need to be successful in life regardless of how we define success. Strengthening executive functioning skills has a positive influence on better quality of life and satisfaction.

My mission is to raise knowledge, compassion, and awareness in all areas, from the classroom to the bedroom and anywhere in between, to help explain how neurodiversity, ADHD, and focus weaknesses can affect a life daily. The great news is one can grow and thrive by strengthening executive functioning skills and self-awareness combined with medical guidance when needed. It is my daily passion to help others find their value and worth since we are all created with individual gifts and talents. The world needs each one of us!

My wish, through the literature that I write, is that my voice will be a vehicle to begin conversations with those who cannot always find the words to start it by themselves. I hope to continue using literature as a springboard to launch change through finding personal significance and gratitude for the contributions we can all make to help ourselves and others.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Ashley is a professional educator, author, and Master Professional Life Coach with an undergraduate degree in elementary education and is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. She is the owner of the award-winning company, Dynamic Learning Connection and has recently started a publishing company, Dynamic Learning Press.

Ashley has worked with children, teens, young adults, professionals, and families for over 30 years. Her specialties include assisting those impacted by ADHD, reading challenges, and strengthening executive functioning skills to enrich the lives of others. She is a published children’s book author with expected release dates of six books in the fall of 2024.

As a mom of three adult children as well as a former classroom teacher, Ashley brings a wealth of experience, skilled instruction, and passion to develop and strengthen each person’s abilities to reach their personal goals.

She is devoted to encouraging and building confidence in all children, teens, and adults, while seeking their unique gifts and talents to become the best version of themselves.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was happy in my previous job for almost five years when the company that I worked for was sold. The new owners had a different vision that did not align completely with my value set. At this point, I began to think of my exit strategy and what the next phase of life would look like for me. My husband at one point asked if I had ever considered going into business for myself doing a similar work. My wheels began turning and I started asking a few select people what they thought about my ideas for my new company as I wanted feedback from a variety of people that I respected. It was a resounding yes that I should go for it, so I began to lay the foundation for the company that I built, Dynamic Learning Connection. After only one year in operation, my company won a best of the best award in our area.

When I gave my notice at my previous company, one of my co-workers came to me to tell me that I was crazy to leave and that I was likely making a mistake. This negativity could have really affected my decision making, because I believe that a lot of us suffer with self-doubt when making major life changes such as starting a company. It is hard to describe how I just knew in my heart and head that I was being called to do something different, and I have never looked back. I am thrilled that I am able to run my company and serve the population that I work alongside. Taking a leap of faith allowed me to also start my own publishing company and also become a children’s book author.

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

When I first started my company, I planned to work out of my home as a way to build up capital and save money. I was all prepared with a new office space in my home to launch my new company. Then my home had a significant water leak that required me to move into a hotel for an expected two-week time frame. I explained this situation to the new clients that I had and many of them agreed to meet me at the hotel to work together. However, as is perhaps often the case, my two-week expected stay turned into two months. My clients were extremely loyal and patient. During this process, I even picked up new clients. The hotel workers who had begun to feel like family were so supportive and gave me my own “office” in a special roped off part of the lobby. It was a crazy way to start a company, but I saw over a hundred clients during that time period. I will never forget this unexpected obstacle and the challenges it presented, but I was determined to make it work and not fail. It also made me appreciate my home office space once I returned as well as the actual professional office space that I now have outside of my home where I meet with clients and run my company.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dynamiclearningconnection.com www.dynamiclearningpress.com
• Instagram: @dynamiclearningconnection
• Facebook: Dynamic Learning Connection
• Linkedin: Dynamic Learning Connection
• Youtube: Dynamic Learning Connection

Image Credits
Morgan Amanda Photography