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

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the toughest parts of scaling a business is maintaining quality as you grow. How have you managed to maintain quality? Any stories or advice?

Maintaining quality over the years is one way of taking care of your clients and serving them to the best of your ability.

Two things I have learned to maintain quality are: setting boundaries and discerning when to say “no.”

I can’t care for others if I don’t take care of myself. This is something worth writing on everyone’s bathroom mirror.

Setting boundaries can be complex if you struggle with people-pleasing and seeking approval. Remember that setting boundaries are not just about caring for yourself. Boundaries allow you to support your clients to the best of your ability.

Saying “no” and knowing how to prioritize projects and put specific projects on hold is crucial to the freelancing life. Project management systems are a great tool. Also, clear and concrete communication with your clients sets everyone up for success and helps define expectations.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

You dedicate your time to your dreams, and so do we. Layered Collective is your coach and guiding light to help you navigate the digital world. We provide professional photography support and communication services, such as graphic design, social media management, website creation, and brand development. Whether you need one or all of these, we are here to take the load off your shoulders and let you do what you do best. You can schedule a free 30-minute session at www.layeredcollective.com.

Layered Collective is founded on years of experience in communications and specializes in professional photography. I have worked for and with several non-profits, artists, authors, and a publishing house. Globally, my photography experience includes years of traveling around the globe and providing humanitarian photography support. Locally, my photography experience focuses on lifestyle/brand photography for authors, artists, and other entrepreneurs making a difference and chasing their dreams.

My Communications experience includes years of social media management, building websites, creating brands for new entrepreneurs and businesses, and graphic design.

For those that don’t know where to begin, I offer a 30-minute complimentary session with anyone who needs consulting or is interested in learning more about what services Layered Collective offers.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspects of being an artist and creative are two-fold. First, it has been so life-giving to see others succeed and to know I have played a small part in that. There is nothing quite like seeing others feel empowered and confident in chasing their dreams and believing they can make a difference. It inspires and encourages me to keep going and even believe in myself when I doubt.

Then personally, being creative has breathed life into my soul during seasons of discouragement or burnout. Creativity says, “come as you are.” I don’t have to have my act together. It’s a space to be vulnerable, to be unfiltered. And I have to be honest, vulnerability is not always easy, so sometimes creativity is a door I don’t want to knock on. But when I muster up the courage to open the door of creativity, I find freedom and peace. Creativity teaches me to be courageous and authentic and to help others.

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

I would not usually use the word “resilient” to describe me, but a story of resilience for me occurred over these last two years. In the question above, I mentioned that Creativity is not always a door I want to knock on because vulnerability can be uncomfortable. I avoided knocking on Creativity’s door for a year. I didn’t want to deal with the sense of failure or doubt I harbored against myself. But a dear friend helped me process why I was afraid to create again. That gave me the grit to choose courage and knock on Creativity’s door.

I have learned it doesn’t matter how long you are down; you just got to get back up. Creativity is one of the most life-giving things I could do for my soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.layeredcollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy_ash_trail/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aescarb0913

Image Credits
Headshot: Jeremy Cowart
Other images: Ashley Trail, Layered Collective