Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Padek.
Hi Ash, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey Y’all!! I’m Ash Padek. My journey to becoming a mompreneur has been an exciting one! It took years for my husband and I to beautifully blend our family of six. We were in the most perfect spot until covid hit. With four kids doing school from home, we had to step back and come up with a new plan. Obviously, we had to have someone here at home with them, and that someone would be me! So the whole influencer biz I kinda just stumbled into… honestly, it all started through FB marketplace. I have way too many clothes, so I started selling my items on there. I noticed that when I wore the items, they sold so much faster, so I began modeling all the items I posted.
Then I started getting requests for modeling/promotional opportunities. I decided at that point to truly attempt entering into the influencer world. At 34, I felt there was no way it would ever work out, but I was determined to go all-in for it anyways. I created a new Instagram focused on modeling fashion I love, fitness, and promoting all my Amazon finds! It took off!! In two months, I had 30k followers and nonstop companies reaching out to do paid promotions. I still have no idea how it all happened, but I am so incredibly glad it did. From there, I was contacted regarding Amazon live streaming, and it just continued to grow from there. The best part is that I now get to create my own work schedule so I can accommodate the super busy life our big family has. I’ve never been excited to go to work, but now I am truly excited every day to do what I love!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. I wanted to throw in the towel a million times in the past six months but was too determined to make this a successful business! Every time I had a deal fall through or had a troll say something mean on social media, I forced myself to dig harder to make this work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an influencer, Amazon live streamer, reviewer, bargain shopper, endless searcher of awesome products, DIY project doer, and most importantly, a wife and mother! It may be cliche, but I am most proud of being a mom and working hard to help provide my kiddos with a great life.
What sets me apart… is that I am unapologetically me. All-day. Everyday. I’m as genuine as they come. What you see is what you get. I think that’s why I’ve been able to be successful in this super crowded space. I’m not trying to be anyone else, and I really don’t care what anyone else thinks of me. I’m too stinking happy and I’ve worked way too hard to let myself get distracted looking to the left or the right. I’m looking straight ahead. My fave quote right now: “Who does she think she is?” “It appears she is someone living her life unconcerned with who you think she is.” @BrendonBurchard
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I the influencer realm… you have to stand out… in any way at all. The content you provide has to be unique in order to make an impression, grow, and keep followers engaged. Figure out who you are and what you want your vision to be and then stick with it. Go all in—150%. Don’t sit and watch the #s because that will just drive you crazy. Just keep doing you. OH, and do your homework… use smart hashtags, be strategic in your posts, and research! Never stop learning. Especially in the influencer space. It’s evolving on a daily basis, and you have to be able to pivot on a dime and evolve with it (while still being you.)!
Once you have the #’s on a social media platform start putting the word out that you’re interested in promotional work and the business will come to you. Choose wisely in the companies you work with so that they are in line with your own personal “brand”… remembering always that this is your JOB and your time is valuable. What do you think your time is worth? I aimed for the sky and it paid off beautifully. I truly hope to help others do the same someday in the future. Lots of fun adventures to come! This is just the beginning for me. 🙂 xoxo Ash
Contact Info:
- Email: AshPadekBusiness@gmail.com
- Website: www.amazon.com/shop/ashpadek
- Instagram: @AshPadek
