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

Alright, Ashlinn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

People often associate trades, especially beauty related trades as something women do if they aren’t very smart. People may assume that you went to cosmetology school because you couldn’t get into “real college”. People don’t assume that the industry is all that lucrative. I will often work a wedding and be asked what my “real” job is. And this may even occur after the client has paid their 3-4 figure total. Trades are in greater demand than ever, and extremely important for our society and economy health. People do not realize that you do not have to have an employer, you can become your employer.

Ashlinn, 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?

I’m Ashlinn Goodman – @ashlinn.rae.weddingday. St. Louis’ favorite on site bridal hair and makeup artist.

I’ve been in the industry 14 years and I started cosmetology school when I was 16 attending half days traditional high-school and half days vocational school. The program I attended cost exactly $0 which was a blessing that helped propel my career at a very early age. I got my first job in a salon assisting on weddings at 16 and worked my way up through salons, cosmetology schools as an educator, advanced educator, trainer, subject matter expert, curriculum builder, and editor for the worlds largest education companies. I am a dedicated life-long learner and leader in the industry.

I specialize in hair styling specifically. I love creating bridal hair content and enjoy being a personal comedian for my brides on their special day.

I am most proud to be able to call myself a businesswoman before all things. The artistry is amazing, but at the end of the day if it doesn’t pay the bills it’s merely a hobby.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Stop believing everything that you see.

Unfortunately the way many magazines, websites, and social media account are ran is misleading.

The best example of this is a commonly used wedding planning tool called The Knot.

Each and every spot featuring an artist or company on The Knot is available for purchase. Meaning, whoever pays the most will appear first therefore leading a potential client to believe they are the best. Do your own research and do not rely on paid advertising such as The Knot or other various local publications who do things like “STL A-List”. They all accept advertising dollars as any publication would and cannot be used to determine what vendors will be the best match for YOU on your special day.

If we can’t even rely on artists to not edit or alter their posts, how can we expect large for profit companies to operate ethically?

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This will be its own book someday.

I grew up with a single mom who worked two jobs as a bartender to make ends meet in a poverty stricken area.

The good news was that we were all poor so none of us knew that we were poor.

The bad news was it was a difficult cycle to break.

My mom was my greatest cheerleader and unfortunately in 2020 she passed away at age 48. I was only 25 at the time, but I knew that I had to get serious about the trajectory of my life faster than anyone else.

I started working much more and much harder than I had in years past to ensure my own future success I made some difficult decisions and walked away from some things that didn’t align with my personal values in order to pave way for new opportunities and business ventures.

While having lost a parent has forever changed me, there is strength in the mentality of having already suffered a great loss and having nothing to lose by trying new things or giving up old things.

I attribute a lot of my success to wanting to make my mom proud and being raised by a strong fearless woman.

Everyone has a story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ashlinn.rae.weddingday
• Linkedin: Ashlinn Goodman
• Other: TikTok @ashlinn.rae.weddingday