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

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

As a small business owner, it often feels like we’re on-call 24/7—constantly responding to emails, always being the face of our companies. There’s an unspoken expectation that we should be working nonstop, present at every moment. When I first started, especially during the pandemic, it seemed almost normal to be perpetually available. I worked tirelessly, and while the business thrived, I missed my friends. But even though the shop was doing well, my heart felt empty.

Being in a long-distance relationship with my closest friends and family, taking trips became something my soul truly valued. Over time, I realized I needed to find a balance between work and life. Good sales are important, but they lose meaning when you’re only working for the sake of working. So, I started flying home as often as I could, and the surprising part? That year, my sales actually increased. I came back rejuvenated, with a full heart and new memories, ready to give my best to the business.

It always reminds me of a line from The Office, Season 5, Episode 23: “He deserves a vacation after this. Sometimes Batman’s gotta take off his cape.” It’s a powerful reminder that time is the one thing we can’t buy more of. So, remember to step away, sign off, and take off your cape when needed. Your business—and your heart—will thank you

Ashley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello Internet! I’m Ashley Thornton, stylist and owner of Throwing Tiny Fits!
When I first started my business, it was all about kids’ clothing—but to be honest, I was a new mom, and that postpartum depression really hit me hard. I needed something for myself, something to help me shift my mindset. I wanted to go from thinking about the worst to asking, “What’s the best that could happen?” And just changing that simple phrase gave me the push to start my own small business!
I wanted to create an affordable kids’ clothing line with fun, high-quality pieces that could grow with your child and be passed down from one kid to the next. And here’s the thing—I didn’t want to label clothes as “boy” or “girl.” To me, clothes are just clothes! Wear what makes you feel good!
I started doing pop-up markets around Portland, which opened up a whole new world for me! I got to meet so many amazing small business owners who truly get the hustle, and being part of that community has been such a rewarding experience. Plus, I finally got to meet my customers face-to-face, putting a real person behind every order!
Not every business has heart or good intentions at its core, but I want to make sure that’s what Throwing Tiny Fits stands for. I’m proud to represent an Afro-Latina-owned business that’s not only about fashion, but also about showing other minorities that we can be owners too—not just workers.
Balancing being a full-time business owner and mom is no easy task, but I’m taking time to unlearn things that don’t align with my values and break those toxic generational cycles. I’m all about growth—both in my business and in life!

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

I’m currently living through this right now, and it’s tough. This new tariff tax is going to have a significant impact on the small business community. We’re already facing so many challenges, and this is only going to make things harder. It’s something we should all be genuinely concerned about.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I chose Shopify because it was user-friendly and affordable, For businesses that plan to do pop-ups markets or are considering a brick-and-mortar, the POS system is incredibly easy to learn and use. Shopify also makes it simple to add new items, track analytics, and access capital options. Plus, you can link your shop to Instagram, making it easier for your customers to shop directly from your social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Throwingtinyfits.com
• Instagram: personal IG is @Discovoodoo business is @Throwingtinyfits
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleycthornton/