We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Parks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
So our first client was a co-worker and his now wife. Just in conversation at work, I helped him plan the surprise proposal he did for her! After the proposal he asked about possibly hiring me to help with their wedding. After I dropped a few hints of me wanting to help lol!! At this time I was only beginning to start thinking about starting our wedding and event planning business but I hadn’t done so. So before we met and agreed to anything I wanted to be legit!! I took classes, got certified, and registered our business!! I was so honored and so excited!! I was so happy they were pleased with everything!!
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.
Sure, so I’m born and raised here in Winston Salem! I’m a wife, mom, and new grandmother!! I’ve always loved planning events and different celebrations!! It really wasn’t until after my Husband and I planned our wedding and our experience with that, that made me realize just how much I love doing this and wanted to do this for others, although we didn’t start right away. We are an event planning company specializing in event planning, design, decorating, and organic balloon garlands, which is what we are most known for! One client named me the balloon lady of Winston Salem! I am also certified in Event and Wedding Planning, Event Design and Style, and Event and Hospitality Management!! And I am also an Officiant! We’ve been told by our clients that what sets us apart from others is our service, kindness, and skill. I take time to get to know my clients and understand their vision before anything else! I’m most proud of that, that our brand stands behind what we say! We state we build relationships, and our clients become family, and that’s true! We’ve been called the family decorator by some of our clients, and we love that! In working with us, not only do you get beautiful work, but you’re working with someone who truly cares about you and your special occasion, and it shows in our work!
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Well, my business partner is my Husband!! We met through a mutual friend who introduced us!! Originally, my husband didn’t want to be a part of the business because it was my dream, he just wanted to support me! But I eventually convinced him to take the journey with me and I don’t think he’s regretted it lol!! He contributes so much more than I think he even knows!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I believe showing up everyday regardless of what’s going on everyday shows resilience, and not just for me but for every entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is not easy, especially starting out, you have more expenses than profits, constantly reinvesting in the business, you’re every department of the business, theirs long days and nights, learning and working with multiple personalities, it’s a lot!! It can be very overwhelming!! And you have to stay consistent! But as much as it is all these things it is very rewarding as well!! Not giving up and showing up daily…that to me is resilience!
Contact Info:
- Website: ashleymarieevents.com
- Instagram: ashley_marie_events
- Facebook: Events & Designs by Ashley Marie
- Youtube: Bling & Things
Image Credits
Lion’s Den Productions, Daniel Yancey Derek Palmer Photography, Derek Palmer Naturally Captivating Lens, Tiffany