Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Thompson.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Ashley Thompson, and my story is one of struggle, survival, and strength. I got married when I was just 20 years old, and by the age of 25, I was a mother of three. Life wasn’t easy. I had three little ones under five years old, and I was just trying to make a living, keep the lights on, and build something that could last.
Back then, we lived on a military base in Fort Riley, Kansas, and I knew I needed to find a way to provide for my kids something that was mine. That’s when I started my first business in 2009, Thompson’s Boutique. I didn’t know much about running a business then, I just knew I had to make it work. That boutique became my outlet my way of surviving mentally, emotionally, and financially. It forced me to grow up fast and taught me the meaning of hard work. I learned early that if you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Over the years, I rebranded that little dream into what people now know as Cake by the Pound Boutique originally known as Pretty Girl Couture Boutique. What started as a simple idea turned into something powerful a movement for women who look like me. We participated in several fashion shows, traveled the world doing photoshoots and events. I’m truly blessed to have done so much, and I’ve met so many people and touched so many lives. I’m a plus-size woman, and I’m proud of it. After having my youngest son at 35, I developed preeclampsia, gained a lot of weight, and had to fight my way back to health and confidence. But through that experience, I learned to love my body even more. My curves tell a story of motherhood, survival, and womanhood.
Now, I use my platform to remind women that every woman has her own pretty, and you have the right to look and feel however you want without letting society beat you down. My boutique and my brand are built around that message. I want women to walk into any room and feel powerful, beautiful, and seen.
In 2023, I created BBW Parties, an event brand for the plus-size community. Since then, I’ve hosted more than ten sold-out events all focused on empowering women to celebrate their beauty, confidence, and individuality. Each event is filled with love, laughter, and unity. It’s not just a party; it’s a movement reminding women that their bodies are worthy of joy and celebration. I am forever grateful of all the plus size models that have participated in all of my events, and a special shout out to my baddies, Iyanna and Sherry, ladies we are rocking until the wheels fall off.
At the same time, I’ve built a strong foundation in business and finance. I’m the proud owner of CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC, which is now going into its 15th year. I started out making $8.25 an hour, and today, I’m running a full-service financial firm that offers tax preparation, bookkeeping, accounting, and IRS representation for individuals and corporations, my background being in business management and financial planning. My company has been operating out of the same building for almost 11 years, and that’s a blessing I never take for granted.
In 2025, I launched CNS Tax Academy, a training and mentorship program designed to help new tax professionals build their own financial freedom. I wanted to give people the same opportunities I fought for to create something that lasts, something that changes their life and their children’s lives.
Everything I do from my tax firm to my boutique to my events comes from the same place: my heart, my faith, and my family. My two daughters look up to me, and my youngest son pushes me to live life with no regrets and my oldest son is such the southern gentleman he’s my rock and always has my back. They’re my reason for every early morning and late night.
As I approach my 40th birthday, I look back and realize how far I’ve come from that young wife on a military base trying to survive, to a woman running multiple businesses and walking in her purpose. My journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s mine. It’s real. And I hope it inspires someone else to keep pushing no matter what life throws at them.
My motto: Faith, Focus, and Financial Freedom — because my journey is proof that resilience always pays off.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been smooth at all but every bump in the road taught me something valuable. My journey has been filled with faith, frustration, and a whole lot of perseverance.
When I first started out, I was a 20-year-old wife and mother with three kids under five. There were times I didn’t know how I was going to keep food on the table or pay the light bill because my then husband was making poor decisions in life and I wasn’t going to let him take me down the drain with him. I remember working late nights while my babies slept, sometimes crying through exhaustion but still pushing because quitting wasn’t an option. I didn’t have a huge support system or investors back then, just a dream, a few dollars, and determination. I later worked up enough courage to leave him and the abuse and trauma behind. My little sister Myyah was with me every day pushing me to never give up, reminding me to stay true to myself, while my children slept with no care in the world. My mother battling her own life traumas and being a strong mother of seven, she did what she could to help me. She is my role model because no matter what she faced, she never gave up on us. Despite not always being able to give or pour into us, she never left. A lot of moms were strung out on drugs or were street women, but mine wasn’t. She was strong and strived for excellence. Her drive moved me then and still does today. Her grace and dedication will never go unappreciated. I will cherish my mother forever.
My children’s Grandmother Debra has always been my rock as well, and I want to acknowledge her for never leaving me alone. That women literally gave me her last on numerous occasions. She helped me raise my babies and never treated me differently after me and her son’s divorce. She’s a blessing, and I tell you that. She came into my life when I was 19 years old and never left. She keeps me grounded and focused, even when I find myself struggling with life. My immediate Family is very important to me and we are close, all of us.
Let me not forget my new mom bestie Felecia. She’s my youngest son’s grandmother, and one of the realest, strongest women I’ve ever met. We clicked instantly and haven’t left each other’s side since. We met in 2020, she stuck with me and she knows it. She lost her only biological daughter in 2024, and I made a promise to always look after her and I’m here. I guess my support system is exactly what I needed. I have no complaints.
As a survivor of domestic violence, I had to rebuild my confidence from the ground up. I went through seasons where I lost everything, my marriage, my sense of security, even my identity, but I refused to lose my purpose. Balancing motherhood, business, and healing wasn’t easy. There were moments I felt unseen, overlooked, and overwhelmed. But every obstacle strengthened my faith and my hustle.
While I’ve always been plus size my whole life. When I started gaining weight after my last pregnancy and dealing with preeclampsia, I had to learn to love my body all over again. That’s when I really began embracing who I was, curves, flaws, and all. Those insecurities became my motivation.
Sixteen years later, I’m proud of every scar and every setback because they built the woman I am today, resilient, resourceful, and real. My road wasn’t smooth, but it was worth every mile.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a visionary and a builder. Everything I do from business to fashion comes from the desire to create opportunities for myself and for others.
I’m the founder and CEO of CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC, where we specialize in tax preparation, bookkeeping, accounting, and IRS representation. We work with both individuals and corporations, and I take pride in helping my clients get their finances in order and understand the “why” behind their numbers. I’ve been in this industry for nearly 16 years, and my company is known for being thorough, trustworthy, and deeply client-focused. I don’t just prepare taxes I build relationships and teach financial confidence.
I’m also the founder of CNS Tax Academy, where I train and mentor aspiring tax professionals which now is fully virtual with some packages we offer in person one on one training. My academy is about more than just learning forms and filing it’s about building financial freedom. I teach my students how to launch their own businesses, serve their communities, and create legacies. I’m proud to see people who came through my program go on to become successful business owners themselves. That’s the part that brings me the most joy watching others win because of something I poured into them.
On the creative side, I’m known in the plus-size fashion world as Heavenly Ash, the founder of Cake by the Pound Boutique, originally known as Pretty Girl Couture Boutique. My boutique represents confidence, self-love, and inclusivity. It’s a brand that celebrates women of every size and reminds them that every woman has her own pretty. I specialize in curvy couture and will be relaunching in 2026 as a Plus-Size Bridal and Formal Boutique. My mission is to make sure every woman especially those who’ve been told “fashion isn’t made for you” feels beautiful, seen, and celebrated.
In 2023, I launched BBW Parties, an extension of that same empowerment mission. Through BBW Parties, I’ve hosted over ten sold-out events that uplift and unite women in the plus-size community. These events are about more than just having fun they’re about sisterhood, confidence, and freedom. I want women to walk into the room and feel like they belong, no matter their size or story.
What sets me apart is that I’ve lived every stage of my journey. I didn’t inherit success I built it brick by brick, through faith, struggle, and consistency. I know what it feels like to start with nothing and still show up every day believing that something greater is coming. I’m proud of my growth, my transparency, and my ability to connect with people through both business and authenticity.
I think what truly defines me is balance the ability to merge corporate structure with creative soul. I’m just as comfortable in a boardroom talking strategy as I am hosting an empowerment event surrounded by beautiful women celebrating themselves. I’ve learned that my purpose isn’t just about making money it’s about making meaning.
What I’m most proud of is that I never gave up. No matter how hard life hit me, I kept pushing. I’ve created multiple brands, built stability for my children, and turned my pain into platforms that inspire others. That’s legacy to me and that’s what keeps me going.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Absolutely. I’m always feeding my mind and spirit with things that keep me grounded, motivated, and evolving both as a woman and an entrepreneur.
For me, faith comes first. My Bible app is open daily, and I start every morning with prayer and reflection. It helps me keep peace in the middle of chaos and reminds me that everything I’ve built is bigger than me.
When it comes to business, I’m big on personal development and financial education. I love books like “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and “The Power of Broke” by Daymond John. Those two really shaped how I think about money and ownership they reminded me that even when you don’t have much, you still have vision.
Podcasts are also a part of my routine. I listen to Earn Your Leisure, Social Proof, and The Girl CEO Podcast by Ronne Brown they keep me inspired and remind me that success can come from anywhere if you stay consistent.
For creativity, I keep a few vision apps and planners that help me organize ideas for my businesses. I use Canva for branding and visuals, QuickBooks for financial management, and Thinkific for my online courses through CNS Tax Academy. I’m very hands-on, so those tools help me keep everything running smoothly while still allowing space to dream.
But truthfully, my biggest inspiration comes from real life from my kids, my mom, my clients, and the women who support my brands. Watching others grow, smile, and succeed because of something I created… that’s what keeps me doing my best every day, and I always remember to keep God, first in my life because without him I am nothing.
Pricing:
- 💼 CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC Tax & Financial Services • Tax Preparation Services: Starting at $200 for individual returns; business returns vary by complexity. • Bookkeeping & Accounting Packages: Starting at $350/month, includes account reconciliation and financial reporting. • IRS Representation & Consulting: Custom quotes available upon review of case details. • Business Formation Packages: Starting at $250, includes EIN setup, compliance guidance, and consultation.
- 🎓 CNS Tax Academy Training & Mentorship for Tax Professionals • Beginner Training Package: $200 — covers software setup, basic tax prep, and compliance fundamentals. • Professional Training Package: $1,000 — includes mentorship, business setup guidance, and marketing resources. • Ongoing Coaching Add-On: Optional monthly mentorship for continued growth and support.
- 👗 Cake by the Pound Boutique Plus-Size & Bridal Fashion Brand • Curvy Couture & Boutique Apparel: Styles starting at $75. • Bridal Gowns & Formalwear: Custom and luxury pieces starting at $250. • Private Styling Sessions: Available by appointment; credits can be applied toward purchase.
- 💖 BBW Parties Events & Empowerment for the Plus-Size Community • Event Tickets: Range from $25–$100 depending on event type and access level. • Vendor & Sponsorship Packages: Available for brand collaborations and promotional opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website:
• CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC: https://cnssolutionsllc.com/
• CNS Tax Academy: https://www.cnstaxacademy.com/ - Instagram: www.instagram.com/cake_by_thepound_
- Facebook: Cake by the Pound Boutique | CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC | BBW Parties
- Linkedin: Ashley Thompson (CNS Enterprises & Solutions LLC)
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@stylishdivapretty
