Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Avery.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in malls from as early as I can remember. My parents, who started their journey together at just 18 years old — and are still happily married today — began as glassblowers. What started as a small dream quickly evolved into something much bigger. From operating a kiosk at AstroWorld to Disneyland and eventually growing into 48 franchise locations of Ashley Avery Collectibles, entrepreneurship was simply the environment I was raised in.
Watching my parents build something from the ground up taught me lessons about hard work, resilience, creativity, and people long before I understood what entrepreneurship really meant. It shaped everything about who I would become.
As an adult, I knew I wanted to venture out on my own. The restaurant business immediately felt like home to me. It had everything I loved — constant change, new challenges, energy, laughter, food, hospitality, and the opportunity to connect with people every single day.
In 2004, I joined Kirby’s Steakhouse in The Woodlands, Texas as a host. From there, I quickly grew into an office manager role, taking on more responsibility and eventually helping create the company’s very first marketing position. Together, we built a role that the company truly needed, and I fell in love with the process of creating something meaningful from the ground up — something that tied directly back to the entrepreneurial spirit I grew up with.
Today, I proudly serve as the Director of Marketing for the company, and I truly couldn’t love what I do more. Everything that originally drew me into the restaurant industry has kept me here: the people, the fast pace, the creativity, the food, the constant evolution. It takes a certain kind of person to thrive in this industry, and I’m incredibly thankful to be one of them.
Outside of the restaurant world, my father and I always knew we wanted to build something together — we just hadn’t found the right fit yet.
That opportunity came when we opened a children’s trackless train ride inside a mall in the DFW area. With our background in malls and entertainment, it felt like a natural fit. What started as one train quickly expanded into multiple train locations throughout Texas and Colorado.
As entrepreneurs often do, we continued looking for what was next. After attending the IAAPA Convention in Orlando a few years ago, we left inspired and determined to launch a bounce house business. Soon after, we founded The Bee’s Bounce House in Argyle, Texas. Three years later, the business is flourishing, and we continue to grow each year.
But like most entrepreneurs, we still weren’t done dreaming.
Two years ago, we launched The Jewelry Table, a mobile jewelry-making experience that has become one of the most rewarding ventures yet. It combines creativity, connection, and experience in such a unique way. We work with families, HOAs, companies, and communities, helping people create pieces they can proudly say they made themselves. There’s something incredibly special about watching people connect through creativity and leave with something personal they’ll always remember.
At the core of my journey has always been the same thing: people, relationships, and opportunities.
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy — and I’ve heard that my entire life. But when your vision is clear, your passion is real, and you refuse to give up, you become unstoppable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think what I specialize in most is building experiences and businesses that people genuinely connect with — whether that’s through hospitality, entertainment, or events. From Kirby’s Steakhouse to our mobile jewelry-making business and even our bounce house company, every business we’ve built is centered around people first.
What we’re really known for is creating an environment where both customers and employees feel valued. We’ve worked hard to build cultures where people actually enjoy coming to work, feel heard, and feel like they’re part of something bigger. Because we’re family-owned, there’s a very personal level of care in how we operate, but we also believe strongly in professionalism, accountability, and growth.
What I’m most proud of is the way we treat our teams. We believe everyone’s opinion matters, regardless of position. We listen, we accept criticism constructively, and we’re always trying to improve and become the best version of ourselves — not just as businesses, but as people and leaders too. I think that mindset is a huge reason why our companies have been able to grow while still maintaining strong relationships and loyalty from both employees and guests.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
This is actually an easy answer for me. The people who deserve the most credit for helping shape me into the businesswoman I am today are my mom and dad. Both individually and together, they’ve had an incredible impact on me.
Growing up in a family business, I learned very early that success is about much more than sales or growth — it’s about how you treat people. My mom has always brought a balance of kindness, compassion, and strength, while my dad has always been very direct, honest, and driven. Watching the two of them work together taught me that leadership can look different depending on the person, and that strong businesses are built when those strengths complement each other instead of compete.
I’ve also been fortunate to have that same kind of trust and partnership in my professional life. At Kirby’s Steakhouse, especially in Southlake, our general manager and I have developed a relationship where we genuinely lean on and trust one another. We have different roles and responsibilities, but we’ve grown together in this business. Because of that, we’re able to have honest conversations, challenge each other respectfully, and know it’s always coming from a place of wanting the business — and each other — to succeed.
That kind of trust is rare in work relationships, and I don’t take it for granted. I think having people around me who are honest, supportive, and willing to grow together has played a huge role in who I’ve become both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheJewelryTable.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejewelrytablebeadpuddle
- Other: https://www.kirbyssteakhouse.com
