Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Ashley.
Hi Aimee, 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?
I entered real estate in 2019 after spending a decade in the fitness industry as a personal trainer. The move into entrepreneurship was not strategic on paper—it was necessary. I was leaving an emotionally abusive marriage of 16 years with three children to support and no financial security. I moved in with my parents and started over from absolute ground zero. In that season, faith and grit became my foundation. I believed God had a plan, even when I couldn’t yet see the path.
Starting a business in a new industry required humility and relentless discipline. I had to learn contracts, negotiations, marketing, and leadership while simultaneously rebuilding my personal life. God placed key people in my life at pivotal moments—mentors who taught me the business, peers who challenged me to grow, clients who trusted me early on, and family and friends who supported me emotionally and spiritually. Entrepreneurship is never a solo journey, and I am deeply aware that every breakthrough was the result of both obedience and the community God surrounded me with.
The early years were marked by long hours, constant problem-solving, and setbacks that tested my resolve. I routinely worked 60-plus hours a week, sacrificing comfort and convenience to build a sustainable business. Even while facing ongoing personal pressures, I remained focused on creating something excellent and enduring. What began as a one-woman operation evolved into a growing business. My oldest son, Dylan, joined me, transforming my work into a generational vision. From there, the company expanded into a team of agents who wanted to learn, collaborate, and build their own success within a values-driven environment.
Through consistency, integrity, and faith-led leadership, I successfully rebranded myself from personal trainer to real estate professional and became the number one agent in my county. I later completed the 900-hour requirement to earn my Texas real estate broker’s license while working full time and raising my family, followed by obtaining my Oklahoma broker’s license—an intentional expansion aligned with both geography and opportunity.
After years of striving to prove myself and earn a seat at the table, I experienced a shift in perspective. Entrepreneurship taught me that success is not simply measured by production, titles, or revenue. True fulfillment comes from knowing who you are, leading with purpose, and building something that aligns with your values. When faith is the foundation, the work becomes more than business—it becomes stewardship.
My story is not one of overnight success, but of perseverance, faith, and entrepreneurial resilience. It is proof that when God calls you to build, He not only equips you with vision but also sends the right people to help bring it to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest challenges I faced was stepping into an entirely new industry while my personal life was being rebuilt at the same time. I entered real estate without a background, a book of business, or financial security. Learning contracts, negotiations, compliance, marketing, and market cycles required intense focus and humility. I had to be willing to ask questions, make mistakes, and keep going—even when the learning curve felt overwhelming.
At the same time, the business grew faster than I ever anticipated. What began as a necessity quickly became an entrepreneurial venture that required leadership, structure, and vision. Managing growth meant shifting from simply producing to building systems, mentoring agents, and making decisions that affected others’ livelihoods. Learning how to lead while still producing at a high level was challenging, and there were seasons where the weight of responsibility felt heavy. I leaned heavily on faith during those moments, trusting that God would give me wisdom beyond my own experience.
Being a single mother throughout this journey added another layer of complexity. I was building a business while raising three children, often working long hours and making sacrifices that were emotionally difficult. There were moments of exhaustion, guilt, and doubt—but also deep purpose. My children became my greatest motivation, and I was determined to show them what perseverance, faith, and hard work look like in real life. I also had to learn to accept help and lean into the people God placed around me, understanding that strength does not mean doing everything alone.
Through every obstacle—learning a new industry, managing a growing business, and navigating single motherhood—faith remained my anchor. The challenges refined me as a leader and entrepreneur, teaching me resilience, discipline, and grace. Looking back, I see that each obstacle wasn’t a setback, but preparation for the work I was being called to do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Freebird Group LLC?
I have formed a small team of excellent realtors who strive for excellence under the umbrella of the most successful brokerage in Wise and Montague Counties! We specialize in rural residential, land, farm and ranch and commercial real estate. We specialize in marketing as we have a full time marketing specialist who works alongside us to create our vision for each property. I am proud to say when I started in real estate no one in my hometown of Bowie was branding themselves or their business this way and it set me apart from my competitors, leading to the title of the number one agent in Montague county. The most feedback I receive from my community is no one is working harder to sell property than the Freebird Group! We have sharp marketing and pride ourselves in continuing education to feel the highest level of confidence in every transaction. Rural real estate often presents with specific challenges to work through and we get the job done!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a passion for music. I have co-written a song with my worship team at church that can be found where you stream your music called Even When by Lighthouse Worship Live and it is my testimony formed into a beautiful song. I am crazy passionate about many genres of music and can identify most songs if I have heard it before by the first note. If you have been around me for more than ten minutes outside of work I am going to find some way to discuss my love for Sturgill Simpson’s song writing and all of his accolades and music genius. Other than my children or sharing my testimony with others he is my go to topic!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://freebirdgrouptx.com
- Facebook: Aimee Ashley, Freebird Group – Parker Properties Real Estate
- Other: https://www.parkerpropertiestexas.com/our-agents/aimee-ashley
Image Credits
Donna Ashley
