We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Willis . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Ashley , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Taking risks has always been my thrill. It’s the first time taking that big leap and seeing how far you can go. Being able to take the risk of flying or learning how to fail and bouncing back. Up until recently, I felt like my entire life I have been following a dream that I don’t think was meant for me. In middle school, I got my first experience working in a hair salon with my brother at Disc Design Hair Studios in White Oak, MD. It was the way women looked and felt after getting their hair done that made me want to be a hairstylist. For 15 + years I work for the top stylist in the DMV. My dream was to become a top celebrity stylist. The salon gave me confidence and allowed me to push myself to be the best. I worked for many salons as an assistant. I was a super assistant and supported many stylists and salons. I left as if it was not enough I wanted to be a stylist. I started working for Andre Salon and Spa on 16th NW DC for about 2 years. In 2020 I had finally taken my state board cosmetologist test and started working in a new salon in Virginia Loraine April Salon. I thought my dream of becoming a celebrity stylist would finally come true. After six months of working in the salon, we had to close. Covid hit the world and my passion died. I was hurt, lost, and wondering what I can do to help support my son and i at the time. I prayed for many nights. I think that someone else had a plan for me. I wanted something for myself. I wanted to be my boss and put all that hard work I put into other salons into myself. I want to prove something to myself. One night God told me popcorn. The biggest risk I took was leaving my love and passion for being a hairstylist and becoming a gourmet popcorn maker. It was not an easy road, I had taken the last of my money to buy ingredients to make my first flavor MO’ Cheddar MO’ Betta. From there came 4 other flavors Honey Butta Baby, Liquid Smoked, and Sultry Truffle. I started by passing out samples to anyone and everywhere I could get someone to try it. I would go to my favorite restaurants and pull popcorn out of my purse and give it to my waitress and kitchen staff. The first restaurant that got to experience my popcorn was Barcelona on 14th street DC. The district manager Emily Kunda at the time and the whole staff loved it and I knew from there I had something special. That’s the same night Emily wrote my first review. My business started to grow more and more where I was doing popups with The Gift Shop in Union Market, The Celeibz en Rose, The Heurich Christmas Market, and movie night at Union Market just to name a few. I’m glad it happened this way and I would not change it for the world. Taking this risk and being a full-time boss for myself is an amazing feeling. Yes, there are days when I feel like I can’t do it anymore but I think about how hard I have worked to get here. I never thought that I would leave my first love the hair salon to fall in love with making popcorn and feeding people’s souls. If you asked me today if would I go back to the salon the answer is NO. I love where I am and I’m happy I made the jump. The same passion, creativity, and love I have for hair is the love I put into crafting a perfect gourmet popcorn flavor. I want this story to be an inspiration for other single moms, women, black women, and anyone who has a dream. Take the risk as I did and pore more faith in yourself. Build whatever business you want to build and don’t give up. It’s ok to walk away from that job that doesn’t fulfill your purpose. You can turn your dreams into reality if you just have faith in yourself and will not give up. You can’t do anything in this world if you just believe. 3 years into this business I have a name more myself. It tickles me to this day but I am humbled and blessed.
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?
Ash what’s Poppin? Was a baby that was built during Covid 2020. Gourmet popcorn became a new calling. This popcorn is about love, creativity, and passion. The love for food and how it can move people into different emotions. Feeding our community and showing them how we can turn something simple into something that can bring people together and love with bag of my popcorn. Creativity is a big part of our brand. With the flavors of our popcorn each one tells you a story with each ingredient you taste. These flavors are handcrafted to perfection with the best fresh ingredients and combination of spices. There are so many different brands of the same flavors of popcorn. Ash What’s Poppin? Is a different variety of different gourmet flavors with fresh ingredients. Just like the chip industry we want to be able to be a leading gourmet popcorn snack world wild. With the uniqueness of each taste, we can be loved by all ages. We are a unique kind of gourmet popcorn made with creativity, passion, and love. There is nowhere else you can get this popcorn but with Ash What’s Poppin? Our popcorn speaks for it self and we can’t wait for you to try it.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My resilience comes from my mom. In a lot of ways, I am just like her. I’m strong, I’m a go-getter, I’m a hustler, and a big dreamer. I never give up or let a challenge scare me. My passion for myself and my resilience to know that I will be someone one day serving my community. I will be more than what I am now I will be serving my purpose. In life, you have to take what you want you can’t just sit and wait for it. If there is a piece in this world that you don’t fit in make it fit you. That’s my resilience in making the world see me and leaving my mark on it. 
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
When starting my business all I did was go out there and share my story. I was honest and true about how I started and why. Every time I am doing a popup I’m selling myself. When I make the popcorn you’re tasting a story about the love that I have for food, for my community, and everyone. My dream used to be making people beautiful, but now my purpose is to feed people’s souls. As an artist and creative it’s hard to put your vulnerability out to the world but I have to tell you to maintain your reputation, You have to be true to yourself and true to your brand and just be yourself and be confident in your product. if you can sell yourself and believe in yourself, you can sell your brand. Tell your story no one can tell it but you, when you do you will see the poring in support. People what to know you and what they are investing into. It’s ok to just be you!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ashwhatspoppin.com
- Instagram: @ashwhatspoppin