We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Ramey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I started my first blog in 2012 called Ashley’s Closet – with the desire to post about affordable fashions and styles for girls my age. After a few years passed, I found that I wanted to write and share more than just fashion.

It quickly became clear that I wanted to start a lifestyle blog, but I was struggling to figure out my angle. How would I separate myself from the popular blogs out there? What voice could I bring to my site? With that, I started from square one and just jotting down things that I liked. If I could come up with a brand name, I would go from there. I love the weekends (who doesn’t?) and would normally have something fun planned, so I started gravitating towards the idea of the weekend. The weekends are meant for decompression, catching up with friends or family and doing things that make you happy.

In 2019, I officially launched the lifestyle blog. Hello Weekend & Co. is meant to be a lifestyle outlet for readers to take a look around and get inspired by the latest trends and styles in fashion, beauty, home and NYC life.

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?

I graduated college in 2014 with a Journalism major and immediately started working in Manhattan in the entertainment business. NYC is known to be one of the fashion hot spots of the world, so I was constantly surrounded and inspired by fashion and beauty trends. Between the long hours and constant hustle and bustle, I wanted to start a hobby where I could create beyond my corporate 9-5.

During the pandemic, I had some more free time and wanted to start doing things beyond just writing. I wanted to create more. I started doing research on manufacturing products and in the spring of 2020, I created my first candle called Mediterranean Breeze. Once I got held the physical candle in my hand, it was such a great feeling to know that I designed it and made it come to life. I took all the photos, tested out the scents with friends and family and then started selling them. I was so nervous since I had to order so many and I had no idea if anyone would actually buy them!

After I kicked off the candles, I wanted to do more. I started designing crew necks, t shirts and even masks. At this point, everyone was mostly staying at home in comfy clothes and I wanted to be a part of making people feel good.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Being my own boss is definitely a goal of mine. My current job is pretty demanding with my time and I still feel like I have more room for growth before I pivot careers. I love envisioning the freedom (and added responsibilities) that come along with working for yourself. I’m currently in the state of working on my blog either after work or on the weekend (basically any free time that I have).

As I’m sure other individuals could relate to, I go through bouts of not feeling inspired or feeling rather lost. Whenever I feel like I’m in a creative funk or just feeling uninspired, I try not to force it. I will put my energy into something else – like reading, going for a walk or trying something new/different. Sometimes it takes a day and sometimes it can take a week. What’s important to me is that I remain honest and true to myself and what I want to do.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I knew earlier on that looking to others for help isn’t a sign of weakness. As an independent woman trying to get a business off the ground, it’s your baby so you want to carry the reins. Whether it’s family, friends or even other influencers/creatives in the field – ask the questions, ask for help, look for advice. It will only help make you stronger in the long run.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.helloweekendandco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloweekendandco/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helloweekendandco/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aramey12/_created/

Image Credits
Ashley Ramey