We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Creating a brand name is a very personal and creative process.
The manifestation of “The Posh Way” began with a reoccurring vision of how I saw myself and the way I wanted to represent my brand. It was my goal to have TPW depict sophistication, quality, resilience, and integrity.
“Posh” caught my attention because it’s a word that exudes a sense of refinement. It aligns perfectly with my self-image and what I wanted my brand to portray. The addition of “Way” really called out to me, it is descriptive of direction and overall lifestyle. The combination of “Posh” and “Way” encapsulated my brand’s essence. In those beginning moments, I envisioned TPW as the new standard for community enrichment; a way to do the work while staying true to myself.
Furthermore, The Posh Way’s brand name, has a bonus level of amelioration included with the formation of our acronym: Poise, Optimum, Stamina, and Honor, which conveys a strong message about TPW’s core values and principles:
1. Poise: represents a sense of grace, balance, and composure. A standing principle within the brand.
2. Optimum: values the commitment to delivering the best, striving for excellence, and always aiming for the highest standards.
3. Stamina: represents a symbol for endurance, strength, and resilience. Along with the ability to withstand challenges.
4. Honor: a true reflection of integrity, honesty, and a strong moral compass.
Together, these words create a great foundation for my brand’s identity and the audience I want to capture. Without hesitation or further consideration, The Posh Way was born.
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.
I’m a highly-motivated professional with an educational background in law. My story starts with the core morals and values instilled by my mother, the late Desiree Walker. Her teachings about the importance of education, community, and self-preservation has always been a part of my foundation which lead to The Posh Way emerging from a dream to reality.
The Posh Way’s focus is community outreach for women and young girls; however, I assure to incorporate our young men periodically. We specialize in instilling a great sense of encouragement, grace, and confidence in all women and girls through advocacy and activism. What makes me unique is my eagerness to form bonds with the women and girls I encounter through TPW. It’s always my goal to be a part of their journey to help aid and guide them throughout the process. I am most proud of the impact TPW has had over these past 5 years, success isn’t instant nor does it have a certain timetable. As time has passed, those seeds I’ve planted for change have now uprooted in others. One great example of that would be in seeing my mentee Brenyya Connor (the 2021 recipient of The Desiree Walker Scholarship), an outstanding student at Florida State University, start her own scholarship entitled, “Dear Self.” Brenyya’s scholarship strives for positive change and impact for young college students. This prominent cause has given me a realization that success isn’t measured in overnight glitz & glam but actions that leads to the success of others. I’m truly humbled by the influence and direction that God continues to lead TPW in.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, I have often faced some difficult and distinctive challenges. In those very moments, I felt hopeless and even overwhelmed. In such moments, it was my inner strength, creed, and will to push forward. During my very first year of law school, my mother transitioned to be with our Heavenly Father. I still remember receiving the phone call and the complete aftershock feeling of numbness and disbelief, that was the catalyst for my resilience. The days, weeks, and months after were all still a blur in accepting my new reality. However, I found strength in these vital pillars that my mother instilled in me – the importance of education, community, and compassion. These principles propelled me to the creation of TPW. TPW has helped me to grow in so many ways and it continues to aid in my fortitude. It’s a strong representation of my mother from my logo colors, to its mission, and with the incorporation of The Desiree Walker Scholarship. It’s through giving back and my community efforts that I’ve learned the true essence of my strength.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I would say my overall dedication and passion for community advocacy and activism. For example, the multiple partnerships and collaborative events that I’ve been a part of such as Divine Sisterhood with The Brunch Circle, Coaches Closet Sneaker Drive, and Desireé Miami and Faith Center for Girls’ Beauty & Brains Prom Giveaway has set a course of positive momentum that has alluded to my continuous growth. Furthermore, I believe my understanding and compassion for those individuals I serve, has also been a significant factor within TPW’s growth. Displaying unbounded acts of kindness and generosity has been a staple of my mission and fuel to inspire not only my peers but the next generation of great leaders.
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Image Credits
Shaina Moñey Scotland and Tyeshia Bryant