We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I’m still working a regular job to support my dreams, so when I’m finally clocking in for myself, I’ll send you guys the update! Seriously, I’m living for the days when I can say that I’ve left that life behind! I think as a working creative, it’s hard sometimes to find the balance between paying the bills and feeding your passion. It’s important though to never ever give up on that journey toward total freedom. If you’ve got what it takes and you stay focused and diligent, the opportunities will come. My friend Niecee X once said if you have a dream, but you spend your time maintaining your “real life”, that dream will never come true… those words sit with me when I consider slacking on my creative mission in exchange for the “ regular job”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a creative director and visual merchandiser, both titles I’ve worked 13 years to earn. In both roles I offer creative insight from ideation to execution. As a director I use colors, fashion, people, and locations to tell stories. As a merchandiser, I tell those same stories through product placement, interior design, and mannequin styling. My clients are mainly fashion retailers, clothing brands, and artists building a personal image. I work to help them all elevate aesthetically and create a memorable and timeless image.

I started out in college as a wardrobe stylist, retail sales girl, and assistant event producer; dressing everyday people and helping to create showcases that put great fashion on display. In college I studied Fashion Merchandising and Marketing, and the Dean of Fashion made a statement my freshman year about the most successful people being those who put what they’re learning into practice while they learn. It ignited something in me and I got active. I learned a lot from my mentors, professors, and directors, that I was actively incorporating in my own projects and events, fine tuning what I had learned to tailor it for my message and audience. I believe great art is made with a lot of thought and intention, using history as a reference while making sure to stay grounded in the moment. That way there’s room to continuously grow and change. I’m most proud of my continued evolution.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Never being too big to learn. I’ve worked as the lead, the assistant, and the intern on multiple projects, at all times in my career. I bring the same vision and enthusiasm to every experience, and I believe that’s made me a trusted resource in my market. If you understand that there’s always more to learn, then it’s easy to step into almost role.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to use each of my gifts to build a successful fashion brand and production company, and to use the impact to influence the next wave of black creatives. It is my ultimate goal to accomplish something I haven’t seen done before in my field.

Contact Info:

• Website: anwstudios.pixieset.com
• Instagram: @fashionfwd_ash
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/fashionfwdash

Image Credits
Photos shot by 1: @m_knight77 makeup and hair by @the.Mykel.rose 2: @mikelikestoshootfilm 3: @m_knight77 4-5 @the_nikon_icon makeup by @abstudiobywhit 6-9 @kwesithethird makeup by @abstudiobywhit 10 @guwop.films makeup by @the.Mykel.rose