AirandAshShop

How it all started:

I wish I could say I always knew that I'd be an artist one day...but that's not quite how it happened. I skipped college and worked full time as a medical assistant but after 5 years of having a one week vacation per year it was time to make a change. When I was 23 I decided I wanted a "free" lifestyle; what I mean by that is I wanted to be able to travel, do something I love & run my own life. I began to brain storm ideas for starting my own company, because to me, that was the only way I would be able to have the lifestyle I dreamed of. I've always been able to see designs in my head and draw them but when I was 18 I took one art class at Oxnard College (mainly to appease my parents & so that I could say I was "in college" LOL) & I realized I could paint better than I could draw! It took me a few more years to figure out how to use this knowledge :)
In November of 2010 I booked my first event & hand painted 80 scarves + a few wallets for my booth, I almost sold out the first day and that's when I knew I was on to something!!

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Say what?! You don't have a business degree!:

In a lot of ways I got really lucky, in 2010 I started working for a woman who ended up being my mentor. She hired me as a back office assistant but taught me how to run the front desk, balance books, ordering, inventory, customer service & how to interview/ hire people. Basically she taught me all the skills I needed to run my own business, even knowing my goal. I worked for her for over 2 years while getting my business going & in August of 2012 I took the training wheels off and began working for myself full time! I still miss working there but I get to see her every couple weeks :)

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Hit the ground running:

I forgot to mention I quit my day job right before my wedding! When I got back from my honeymoon it was the crucial make it or break it moment. I took just about every opportunity big or small that came my way and spent the next year eat, sleep & breathing work. Thank goodness my husband was doing the same thing with his new company so we both understood the need to put the time in...and hey, we have the rest of our lives to spend together right?!!

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Where I am today:

I'm glad I can say every minute of hard work was worth it, I now have approximately 15 stores that carry my brand, over 140 items in my Etsy shop & in February 2015 made it into San Diego Magazine!! And as far as my lifestyle goes I got everything I wanted, so much so that I get tired of packing and unpacking my suitcase hahaha! I feel blessed that people have continued to like my art. Without all of you none of this would be possible, THANK YOU!!!

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Advice:

To all the entrepreneurs out there; if I can do it so can you! Have the persistence, the patience & be willing to put the time in. Don't jump from A to C, there's a lot to learn in B ;)

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My art:

Many of my designs are things that just pop in my head, but I have to give credit to my Mom for giving me the idea to make my very first cuff. As soon as I tested my paint on the faux leather & it stuck I knew my Mom had sparked an entire new collection for me where there were no limits of what I could make! To this day every cuff, earring, necklace & headband is hand cut by me from faux leather & painted. The clothing, scarves & handbags I purchase from different vendors & then paint my designs on them. I make my own special mixture of paint that is permanent & soft to the touch (this is what makes my art possible). I also get great ideas from my customers, I love asking questions & posting new ideas on my Facebook page to keep it all fresh & fun. The interaction always sparks a different way of approaching a design & since I mostly work alone I need people to bounce my ideas off of!
{Join in on the fun: www.Facebook.com/AshleyAnnBennettFashion }

My work is a labor of love, thank you all for supporting me and my artwork!
Love, Ashley