#Girlcrush - Ashton Smith
Tell us about yourself and your business!
My name is Ashton Smith, and I’m a coach, writer, and space holder for women who are ready to take radical ownership of their life and create the reality they’ve always craved. I’m a fan of wild, post-dinner dance parties, obsessed with all things coffee, and believe that every human being is on the planet with extraordinary purpose.
I run an online membership called The Awakening where I help creative, ambitious women stand in their power as the conscious creator of their reality, CEO of their business, and LEADER of their life.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Honestly, this thought: “What’s my other option?” I knew that I could play small and hide behind my 9-5 office job. I knew that I could make a living with the business degree I’d received. I knew that I could coast and live a decent life.
But that’s just not who I am. I’ve always had passion, grit, and determination to create a MASSIVE impact on this world, live out my true calling, and create a life that makes me come ALIVE - not just get by.
So, despite not knowing ANYTHING about running a business, one day I just decided to start. There was no other option.
Is this your full time job?
Yes, it is!
How do you structure your days?
I love this question because I am a creature of habit and a lover of self-serving routines.
6:30/7 am: wake up + get movement in first thing (my favorite workout style is Crossfit for something intense + gentle stretches/yoga for something restorative)
8 am: self-awareness practice + heart check-in. This is the most important time of my day as I get to take powerful care of myself, notice my energy levels, and set realistic expectations for my day based off of that.
9 am: dive into work. I always dive into my most creative work first thing in the morning - as I’m a morning person + that is the time I’m filled with the most energy.
10:30 am: connect/serve/share on Instagram. This is where I foster relationship and connect with my dream clients.
11 am: dive back into creative work.
1 pm: lunch break
2 pm: dive into The Awakening Membership. Answer any questions the women have & facilitate powerful discussions in our community space.
3:30 pm: back to work. The afternoons are dedicated to things like CEO time, emails, coaching calls, meetings, etc.
5 pm: end my work day
Where and how do you work best?
This question is so funny to me because prior to leaving my 9-5 job, I dreamt of getting my work done in these beautiful coffee shops and cafes, but I honestly work best in my home office. When I am sitting down to get my creative work done, I really need a calm, quiet, peaceful space.
I WILL go to coffee shops once a week or so if I want to break up routine + I need to get more logistical things done.
Are you currently running any promos, contests, or giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
I’m offering 2 months for the price of 1 for The Awakening Membership for Girl Crush readers! Just use the code HIGH25 at checkout.
Where is your business based?
I am based in Raleigh, NC!
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I really started by doing two simple things:
I started putting myself out there, specifically on Instagram. I started showing my face, talking to the camera, going live, sharing my story, providing value for people, and sharing my expertise with the world. (Starting is the hardest part. But moving through that fear is how we get closer to our big goals.)
I threw together a simple website on Squarespace. I asked one of my tech-savvy friends (who is now my husband) to help me get it up and running, and I started providing value via my blog space.
*The key here: just get started - whatever it takes. You aren’t obligated to have a million dollar business over night. But you owe it to yourself to take the first step towards the thing you want most.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and attracting new customers?
Providing value via:
Instagram (if you create valuable content, people will notice + often share)
Podcasts (sharing your expertise + providing value for another person’s audience not only benefits them but brings more of your people your way).
In my opinion, raising awareness + attracting your dream customers begins with serving well. It begins with the desire to help other humans. I look for opportunities daily to serve the masses as well as the ONE.
Fun fact: a simple DM conversation can open so many doors (personally + professionally).
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Becoming the person I need to be in order to carry the weight of my dreams. Building a business is so much more than implementing strategy and structure that has worked for other people. It’s learning how to stand in your power as the CEO of the company. It’s knowing that building a business means that you are actively saying “yes” to constant failure, problem solving, and discomfort (cause growth is wildly uncomfortable). Experiencing the growth necessary to reach my dreams has been the biggest challenge by far.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I started taking radical ownership. I began to stand in my power as the conscious creator of my reality, CEO of my business, and leader of my life. I decided to take responsibility of my success, time, boundaries, goals, and dreams.
Here’s the deal: no one is going to fight harder for your dream than you. When you realize that & stand fully in your power, you will finally begin moving the needle in your life and business.
How do you keep motivated through tough times?
It depends on what I need. Normally, I experience one of these two things:
I’m lacking motivation because I’m exhausted. When this happens, I choose to be gentle with myself. Instead of pushing through the exhaustion (which leads to burnout), I take a step back & evaluate how I can respond to what I need in that moment in order to preserve my stamina. I make an active choice to work WITH my energy levels rather than AGAINST them. In the end, this serves me so well.
I’m lacking motivation because I’ve lost sight of my true priorities. When this happens, I generally need a good kick in the butt. This is when I remind myself of my “why.” I come back to my truth. I remind myself of what happens if I quit. This is when I carve out time for CEO time where I look at my business objectively, see what’s working, what’s not, and re-evaluate how to move forward.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
My main goal is to empower women to fully rise in their power. And in my opinion, there are a lot of women who need to hear that message. With that being said, I get truly giddy to meet like-minded women in my industry who are doing the exact same thing. I don’t necessarily view them as competitors as much as I do allies.
I focus on showing up, serving well, and speaking my truth. I know that my work will speak for itself and resonate with the right people. And for those that it doesn’t resonate, there are other women in the same industry they can resonate with.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Stop waiting around. If there’s something you want to see different in the world, it’s up to you to go and do it.
What do you wish you had known when you started your business?
No one else’s advice, online course, membership, mastermind, or service is responsible for your success. YOU ARE. When you stop looking for all of the answers outside of you and you become empowered to search for them internally, you will up level your business - instantly. You’ll be able to build your business in a way that utilizes your innate strengths, unique identity, and natural rhythms. The strategy you create for yourself will be more powerful than anyone else’s. Because it will be customized to who you are.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
My mom and dad have been extremely influential in the creation of my business, and my husband, Josh, has been influential in my will to continue on.
I am also continuously inspired by women like Rachel Hollis, Jordan Lee Dooley, Jenna Kutcher, & Christine Caine.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Success is not absent of taking powerful care of yourself. In fact, prioritizing your needs will be the CATALYST to propelling your growth. The world NEEDS the wisdom you carry, therefore we need you in this for the long-haul. Be quick to lean into your energy, work with your natural rhythms, and give yourself the rest, care, and nurturing that you need. You are a human being before you are a business owner.
What business tools/resources could you not work without?
Asana, Unfold, Active Campaign, and the Later app.
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
The roadmap to creating the life we crave isn’t outside of us. It’s within. When we become quick to shut out the external noise and get in touch with our internal voice, we have the opportunity to uncover so many of the answers we’ve been longing to find. Self-trust as an entrepreneur is a game changer.
Where would you like your business to be 5 years from now?
I would like to continue growing, optimizing, and scaling The Awakening Membership. From there, I want to open a 3 month coaching program with a cap of 10-20 women. This program will be designed for more hands on support, guidance, and community interaction. I also want to write a book by then!
Where can we find you?
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ashton_m_long/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshtonLSmithCo/
Website: www.awakeningmembership.com