Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Coleman
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began writing books at 17 year old after experiencing the loss of a pregnancy. My husband, JaQuavis Coleman, was at the time my high school sweet heart and we went through a tragedy together that inspired us to begin writing. It was a distraction for us, but also the birth of a career that has spawned over 50 books. I began as the co-author to Ashley & JaQuavis, and then grew into penning stories about Black love, and romance under my solo brand, Ashley Antoinette. I found that my words touched women in a unique way. My stories make them feel seen and heard, and when I began to engage with them, I built a community full of talented, successful, creative, and driven Black women. They’ve been affectionately dubbed, Ash Army, and I host annual conferences to empower, acknowledge, and teach the next generation of creatives/entrepreneurs who look to me for motivation. This year alone, I’ve give away $50,000 to Ash Army to help seed their own endeavors! I never want to be the only success story in the room. I want my entire table to be seated with powerful and impactful women.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to success is never smooth. I think people expect to become high earners with ease and that simply isn’t realistic. If success was easy, everyone would do it. It takes the tenacity and fortitude to withstand failure to reach the top. It takes persistence, consistency, and dedication to a dream that other’s may not understand. My career was built off pain. It started with a loss. It was birthed out of raw emotion. Life is hard. I’ve experienced set backs, pitfalls, heart break, disappointment, and failure just like everyone else. I’ve made bad business decisions. I’ve lost deals. I’ve signed bad contracts, and had to figure my way out of them. Bad things happen. Mistakes are made. People give up on you. That’s life. I have used all those things as seeds to plant. My dreams were built off a series of things that were meant to hold me back. I’m never discouraged. I always identify the lessons in the set backs. I pivot with the knowledge I’ve gained through the losses so that I can push forward and come out stronger in my pursuit of my dreams. I never quit on myself, no matter what losses I face along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do so many things. I’m a New York Times best selling author. I’ve sold over a million books. I’m also the co-founder of Boujee Hippie Company. I’m also a literary agent that is committed to bringing more voices of color to book shelves. My engagement with my fanbase is what sets me apart from other creatives. I don’t just try to sell them a product. I’m actively talking to them, motivating them, investing in their dreams, teaching them what I know, and supporting their businesses. Its a reciprocal relationship. I’ve been writing for 20 years so I’ve inspired a whole new generation of young writers. My imprint is all over Black fiction and that inspires me to continue to creatively push the envelope.
I’m also a television writer and a proud member of The Writer’s Guild of America. In addition to all these things, I’m an entrepreneur. I am the co-founder of a little gem called Boujee Hippie. It’s a supplements and wellness company for women of color. I started that business with a good friend of mine, Tiffanie Mims, and we’ve scaled it in five years. There really isn’t a pot that I don’t have my hand in. I’m the ultimate multi-hyphenate. Seven streams of income is a very real thing with me lol.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Authenticity. People connect to real people and I only know how to be genuine. I enjoy real connections with real women. We can all relate to one another’s experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asharmy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyantoinette
Image Credits
Photo by Kristan Sumberlin
