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

Ashley Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

If we think about it we all take some sort of risk every day. It is part of life. But I now know it is truly a blessing when you take on life-changing risks. My biggest life-changing experience happened about 13 years ago. I decided to release the desire to be a people pleaser and started the journey of listening from within and discovering what I wanted for myself.

At the time I had already graduated with my bachelor’s and was completing my master’s degree. As planned, I was working for my father learning the family business with plans to eventually take over the company. Little did I know life had other plans for me. I became depressed and highly anxious. I decided to step out of my comfort zone to seek therapy. I never did therapy before and was skeptical of the process but was desperate at this point.

I remember my therapist saying to me “Ok I have heard what you think everyone else in your life thinks you should do. But what do you think you should do?” I could not answer. I felt so lost. I didn’t know who I was without the opinions of others. I started working hard to uncover who I was at the core and what I wanted.

One important and surprisingly hard question my therapist asked me was “What are your hobbies?” I thought long and hard about it and finally said: “Well, I love reading fashion magazines.” That answer, in addition to my faith, self-discovery, and a lot of hard work guided my life journey down a path I never even considered.

That first pivotal risk to step out of my comfort zone and seek an understanding of myself led to me embracing the unknown and going after what felt was right for me. Less than a year after my therapist asked me that question I took an even bigger risk. I left Florida where I was born and raised. I moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion styling. It was not easy. I had some very trying times in my career and personally in my life. But the risk was so worth it.

Now, nearly a decade later I have become an Emmy-nominated wardrobe stylist, professional purpose speaker, and business owner. Daily, I strive to empower others to listen from within to uncover and showcase the awesomeness’ that lives within them. Through the years, I have had the privilege to have a client base composed of many talented, multi-faceted, and inspirational people from various industries. I have worked with TV networks and brands like ABC, BET, Food Network, QVC, Pepsi, Amazon, Discovery+ and the list goes on. The work that I do continues to fuel my passion and purpose to use my skills and gifts in style curation to bring awareness to mental health, authenticity, and purposeful living.

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.

I am a personal wardrobe stylist. What a lot of people don’t know is I also dress people from all over the world with my interactive virtual styling service capabilities. When working with me, each client receives my style app. The app gives them access to their virtual style closet where they can purchase new pieces I personally select. They can see outfits I put together for them, and even upload pictures of items they need me to style for them. I take the frustration and guesswork out of what to wear. Making the process more sustainable and authentic to my clients’ needs. No more buying clothes you don’t truly like only for them to never be worn.

I currently specialize in helping multi-passionate professionals and creatives of color unlock and tap into their unique selves through style, self-expression, and personal alignment. My focus came from the experience I have working with celebrities, on-air talent, TV networks, and brands. I see the impact that owning your unique style can have on you and your life. It can be what gives a person the extra confidence they need to walk into a room and speak when they are nervous. It is therapeutic. Style can be a vehicle to drive you to understand yourself. It can even be a deciding factor in landing that new promotion or opportunity. There is a science behind it all. I have learned why brands are so strategic in using style to show how unique and different they are. I also see the change that is ignited when I help my clients find synergy and alignment from what they feel on the inside, who they are, what they do, and how they look. When it all comes together great things start manifesting in their life, it makes me so hype! I love it!

I am also a purpose speaker, mentor, and engaged in the community. I am currently investing in myself. My journey has now opened doors for me to a professional speaker. I never even considered that before. I now see how taking leaps of faith in my life and career, believing in myself, and continuing to work on being the best person I can, have not only been life-changing for me but impactful for others as well. My involvement in professional groups like Toastmasters and Business Network International (BNI) help me connect to the community as well as perfect my public speaking. I want to use my story and experiences and knowledge to educate, encourage and inspire others.

When I look back at what I have done I am in awe. I have met and worked with many celebrities, and worked with brands I never thought I would. I have worked for Emmy Award-winning daytime talk shows and even been nominated for an Emmy, but I am most proud of my growth in myself. With every obstacle, I see how far I have come. I believe anything is possible in my life. It may take hard work, dedication, and strengthening my faith. But I can do anything I set my mind to do.

My growth motivates me to expand my brand. I don’t want just celebrities or people who can afford my services to benefit. I want to be able to show more people the power of styling, self-expression, holistic wellness, and owning who they are. These are principles of my life that have honestly saved me. I want to provide tangible products and experiences that can uplift and inspire others in ways that people in my life, organizations, different products, life experiences etc. have done for me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2015 I got hired for a styling position that was pivotal in my career. It was the biggest opportunity I experienced at the time. I was nervous because I felt not only was this a big deal but I doubted if I could handle the opportunity. As I headed to the first day of work, I was sitting on the Q train looking out at the city as the train went over the bridge from Brooklyn into Manhattan, and out of nowhere I had my first major panic. I immediately felt like I could not breathe. I ripped off my scarf and unzipped my coat. I was freaking out but trying to contain myself. I didn’t want anyone on the train to notice. I remember with my hands shaking, I took my water bottle out of my purse. After drinking some water and I finally calmed down.

But then I was left with the frightening feeling of Am I dying? Will that happen again? I got to get off this train! I had to fight the feeling and focus on getting to work. The whole time I was at work I dreaded getting back on the train after work.

Ya girl was petrified! How can I live in New York and not ride the train? In the months following, there were days I would walk blocks and blocks before I finally got on the train or gave in and just took a Uber home. Not only was I trying to learn the ins and out of my new position for a major TV network. I now was going through the scariest mental breakdown of my life. I even started getting claustrophobic. I was scared to get on the plane, elevators and all. In tears, I would ask myself, how am I going to live my life like this?

I had no choice but to boss up and dive into my faith. I leaned into therapy, my family, and my inner resilience, anxiety medication, meditation, working out and so many other methods to get me through. Before I got on the train I had to make sure I had a bottle of water and a book or podcast downloaded to distract me when I was on the train or plane. I was able to get through that time but it was a very trying time in my life.

Today, though I still battle with depression and anxiety at times. I look at it as one of my superpowers. Sometimes when an episode comes on I feel like I won’t make it through. Sometimes I experience the most crippling feelings but with every episode, I become stronger. It fuels the work I do. It even helps me see people with empathy. You just never know what someone is going through.

I think back to that time in New York. If I would have let that experience cripple me. If I would have decided I do not want to get on not another train. If I would have packed up and moved back to Florida I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

So many revelations, about myself, lessons have been learned and blessings have come because of this journey. I now have become a professional purpose speaker and mental health advocate to help and encourage those who are struggling on their journey to keep going. It will be hard as hell at times but we all have a purpose tied to our life. When you believe that and take the obstacles step by step you will be so proud of yourself. It will be worth it in the end. Don’t give up.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I get a lot of my styling clients and speaking opportunities through word of mouth. Though I am creative and feel I am good at what I do. I know that I am not getting referred because my styling is so out of this world and unique. It is because of who I am as a person. With every opportunity I get, I show how much I care. I am living in my purpose. I am fully committed. I listen to my clients’ needs and wants. I want every outfit to feel exude the true essence of who they are and make them feel unstoppable.

I am not a typical wardrobe stylist. Yes, as an expert in my industry, it is important to know about brands, trends, and putting outfits together. But there is so much more when you experience the Ashley Michelle Miller brand! I believe your style is more than a look. Style is therapeutic, inspiring, and empowering. I want the AMM Styling brand to use life + styling to promote the importance of owning who you are, being self-expressive, and embracing holistic wellness. It’s deeper than fashion and creating outfits for me. I believe people who want to work with me, book me for a speaking engagement, or ask me to mentor students aspiring to be in the industry can feel how passionate I am about what I do.

When you are walking in your purpose your gifts will make room for you. I don’t take it for granted the impact I have on people. To the point that they speak highly of me in spaces, I am not even in. That is the reputation I strive for continuously and so thankful for it.       

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleymichellemiller.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymichellemiller/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=25112250 (Ashley Michelle Miller)
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-michelle-miller-mpm-87789548/

Image Credits
Image Credits: POV MIAMI, Calafia-Jennifer Chong, Lipton- David Griffith