Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tammy Ash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tammy , appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I knew there was a need for not only a mobile Stylist to come to people that couldn’t get it to Salons. These people range from having severe disabilities that restrict access to vehicles easily or one that are in hospice nearing the end of their lives.

I was going to 6 facilities a week before Covid happened, along with seeing people in home, but when the world shut down, I knew I had to find a way to continue to get to my clients, especially in home, because they were the ones that needed me the most. I contacted the governor’s office literally the same day. The world shut down within hours after it was announced and ask what I needed to do to continue to do my job even though salons were going to be shut down for who knows how long. I explained to them what I did and how important what I was doing was because I worked so closely with 73 different companies most of which include hospice. From that phone call I was not only granted to still be allowed to go into homes during the pandemic but I was also allowed to go to facilities even though none of them would let me still come. So from that day I made the decision that I was going strictly mobile and I would go to facilities by appointment only. I would no longer be going there on a set day basis. I would only be mobile from this point on.

Well covid was scary and I didn’t know what to expect by putting myself out there,. I knew that my clients needed me and I was going to do what I could to be there for them. I recently have became a Notary again after years of not doing it. I originally did this because I see the need for my clients that made things notarized but again cannot get out of their home to go and have it done so I became one again to better service my clients and give them another option of services that I provide.

I’ve been took it one step further and became a licensed Notary Signing Agent which means that I can do mobile notary signings for closings on home loans for title companies!

Designs by Ash, LLC, is more than just a hair and nail company. I have seen the need for several things for my home bound clients so I have done what. I can to expand my business to include the notary services which is something that a lot of my clients have needed. I am the sole owner and employee of my company so it’s just me and I am very busy and booked out at least a month and a 1/2 in advance most of the time for hair services. But when I started my company I did so with the mindset that I was going to do my best to be there for people for things that they needed and I think that i’ve succeeded with that over the last 9 years of being in business.

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

I have been a Hair Stylist & Nail Tech for 34 years and with working in the nursing home field as their resident Stylist, I seen there was a need for in home hair & nail care that was on a greater level. When the pandemic hit, I was doing 6 facilities a week on top of a few in home clients.

Although the Governor made me an essential company as a Hospice Stylist, I wasn’t allowed to go to facilities, even though I had the credentials to do so, so that’s when I decided to go strictly as a mobile company. While the salon world was shut down I was still able to go into people’s homes to take care of the hair and nail care for the severely disabled, hospice, dementia, autistic and all home bound clients. While most people could find a way to do their own hair, these groups of people aren’t as lucky and needed my services the most.

I currently have 73 companies that send me clients and I am booked at least 3-4 weeks in advance now! I specialize in severe matting, bed bound clients and those in wheelchairs as well as their care takers that are confined to the homes with them and can’t get out to the salon for themselves! I am able to wash hair with the aid of a special funnel so my clients never have to bend over, but can stay in their wheelchairs if need be! I also cut bedridden clients in the comfort of their beds and I provide nail and toenail trims and files.

I have recently added a new feature and now offer Mobile Notary services to my clients that can’t get out of their homes and are in need of getting it done quickly. On top of this, I am also a Mobile Notary Signing Agent and I am licensed to help clients sign off on the final paperwork for real estate needs in the comfort of their homes!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What has built my reputation is word of mouth all the way! I believe that if you treat your customers with respect, show up on time, do what you promise and do so with their best interest in mind then you will never fail.

My clients all know they can trust me from the first moment they talk to me, because I put them at ease and listen to what they need, not just want. Thanks to the amazing companies that back me and send me clients, they know that I am trustworthy if I am being referred.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When Covid struck, I had worked so hard up until that point to build my business and not knowing what to expect or how long we would be on lock down, I was truly scared that I would lose everything I had built to that point.

Little did I know that it would be the best thing to happen to my business, because after just about an hour of feeling sorry for myself and being afraid like the rest of the world, I decided to do something about it! I called the Governor’s office literally an hour into the world being shut down, explained to them what I did for a living and why there was a need for it. I asked what I needed to do to become an essential company. After a brief moment on hold, I was told that I was free to continue as normal and that I was officially an essential company and considered a Hospice Hair Stylist. From that point on, my life and career took off and I’ve been busier than I ever expected!

I could of just gave up and hoped for the best that I wouldn’t lose my company like so many unfortunately did when they had to close, but I choose to fight for my dream. Thankfully I did, because I am at the point in my life I used to only dream about.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.designsbyashllc.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-ash-7445785a
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/designs-by-ash-richmond