Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Nicole
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember. While owning businesses wasn’t necessarily on my radar in the beginning, I’ve always had a passion for creativity and independence. My journey started in fashion, launching my first business—a clothing store with my family—at just 18. But after graduating high school with my cosmetology license, I realized that my love for transformation extended beyond fashion. I was drawn to the beauty industry, where I could help people feel confident in a more permanent way.
That passion led me to start a traveling beauty business, working on location for fashion shows, weddings, and special events. By 23, I opened my first salon, which became a stepping stone into serial entrepreneurship. From salons to product lines to building a multi-territory beauty agency, I evolved from being a hands-on beauty professional to scaling businesses as a CEO.
My business acumen didn’t come from formal training—it was built out of survival, resilience, and a deep drive to create something bigger than myself. As I transitioned from working in my business to working on it, I learned how to scale, brand, and lead, which naturally led me to consulting.
Today, through Ashley Nicole Consulting, I help other entrepreneurs—especially women—build brands that are authentic, profitable, and aligned with their purpose. I also lead Pretty In Praise, a faith-driven community, and The BE Hive, a networking hub for businesswomen. My mission is to empower women to step into their calling, whether that’s in business, faith, or personal growth.
It’s been a journey full of pivots, challenges, and reinvention, but every experience has prepared me for where I am today. And I know the best is yet to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! The road has been anything but smooth, but every challenge has shaped me into the entrepreneur and leader I am today.
One of my biggest struggles was scaling a business while learning how to be a CEO in real time. I started as a creative entrepreneur, but as my businesses grew, I had to quickly develop leadership skills, manage teams, and figure out finances, operations, and marketing on a much larger scale—all without a business degree. It was a crash course in survival, and I learned through trial, error, and a whole lot of late nights.
Another major challenge came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the beauty and event industries hard. I had multiple locations and teams that depended on me, and when events shut down, revenue plummeted. I had to make incredibly tough decisions—closing locations, restructuring, and ultimately pivoting my focus. That season forced me to reevaluate everything and ultimately led me to consulting which allows me to help other women to avoid the pitfalls I faced or have the tools they could put into action right away.
Beyond business, balancing faith, family, and entrepreneurship has been another challenge. As someone who’s always chasing the next big vision, I’ve had to be intentional about setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and making sure I’m building a life—not just a business.
But through all of it, my faith has been my anchor. I’ve learned that every setback is really a setup for something greater. Challenges refine us, and I wouldn’t change a single obstacle because each one has given me the tools, experience, and perspective to help others navigate their own journeys.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of everything I do is a passion for helping entrepreneurs build brands that are both profitable and purposeful. Through Ashley Nicole Consulting, I work with business owners—especially women—who are either launching their brand or feeling stuck in their current business. I specialize in brand clarity, messaging, strategy, and business development, helping my clients refine their vision, define their audience, and create a brand presence that truly connects.
What sets me apart is my holistic, hands-on approach—I don’t just give advice, I help implement real solutions that streamline business operations, marketing, and content strategies. Whether it’s coaching, VIP workshops, or digital resources, I equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to scale and succeed in today’s market.
One of the most powerful assets in brand building is media, and that’s where my husband and I created Kickin’ It Media. As a full-service media agency, we help businesses develop high-quality content—branding photos, professional videography, social media assets, website visuals, and more—to bring their brand to life. From capturing brand stories to producing compelling digital content, Kickin’ It Media ensures that businesses have the visuals they need to stand out online and connect with their audience in a powerful way.
I’m incredibly proud of how our businesses complement each other. Branding isn’t just about having a great product or service—it’s about storytelling, strategy, and visuals working together seamlessly. That’s exactly what we do—we equip businesses with the strategy AND the media assets they need to elevate their presence and grow with confidence.
Beyond consulting and media, I also lead Pretty In Praise, a faith-based community for women, and The BE Hive, a networking hub for female entrepreneurs. My mission is to empower women in faith, business, and personal growth, providing them with the resources, coaching, and community they need to thrive.
At the end of the day, everything I do is about impact—helping entrepreneurs build brands that not only look great but are rooted in authenticity, strategy, and purpose.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Authenticity and resilience are the foundation of my success.
Authenticity is required not just for connection, but for growth. In business, we often see the highlight reel—the polished wins, the curated success stories. And while it’s important for customers to see that level of excellence, true impact happens when you bring them into your journey, building a connection that goes beyond a product or service. People don’t just buy from brands—they connect with them. And that connection is built on trust, relatability, and being real.
At the same time, business is not for the faint of heart. Resilience is everything. You have to be willing to roll with the punches, not get caught up in the highs, and have the grit to bounce back from challenges. Success isn’t about never failing—it’s about learning when to pivot, when to push through, and when to ask for help. As passionate entrepreneurs, we pour so much of ourselves into what we do, but growth happens when we balance passion with wisdom, adaptability, and the ability to seek support when needed.
For me, authenticity isn’t just a business strategy—it’s who I am. I don’t know how to be anything other than real, and that’s what has allowed me to build genuine relationships, make an impact, and create a brand that feels deeply aligned with my purpose. At the end of the day, my goal isn’t just to sell a service—it’s to provide real value, foster meaningful connections, and help others step into their own success with confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleynicoleconsulting.com
- Instagram: ashley.nicole.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceoofallthethings/
Image Credits
Kickin’ It Media Group
Braly Studios For the Pink Dress with Crown
Realty Pro Shots for the photo that is my venue
