We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlee Rene’ Johnson-hunter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashlee Rene’, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I like to say, “I didn’t choose hair, hair chose me”. When I was 14 years old, I got my first job as a Shampoo Girl in my cousin’s salon. I had absolutely no desire to become a hairstylist. In fact, I was on the path to becoming a cosmetic reconstructive surgeon. Around Junior year of college, I found myself thinking about my life more deeply and how I wanted it to look. I saw myself living a life of freedom. Living a life on my own terms and that life didn’t exactly align with being a doctor. In this time, I was still working in the salon and I had even began developing my own clientele. The moment that I began experiencing the feedback from my clients about how good my work made them feel, I began to realize that I truly had a gift. The most significant part of it all is that not only did I discover a gift that I didn’t know I had and that this gift would become my passion, but becoming a hairstylist also allowed me the freedom and flexibility I desired! Now I live a life that is exactly the way I envisioned! Deciding to answer the call and pursue this creative career was the best decision I ever made!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The By Ashlee Rene’ Collective is a wellness brand that represents FOCUS, INTENTION, and VISION. It encourages self-love, self-care, and a positive mindset through hair, beauty and lifestyle. With sub-brands like MANE FOCUS By Ashlee Rene’ and TWENTY TWENTY By Ashlee Rene’, I’ve been able to help a lot of people change the way they think about their hair and themselves.

I feel like what sets me apart from others is my love for people. I have true care for people and I love seeing them feel good about themselves. I also love teaching and watching my clients learn things from me that ultimately add value to their life experiences.

I am most proud of the fact that I have helped so many women develop a better relationship with their hair and themselves. I am excited about all of the women that I will continue to touch through my brands.

I love the evolution of my business! Seeing where I am today only excites me about what’s to come! I feel like I’m just getting started! The By Ashlee Rene’ Collective is the true culmination of all that I and my business have become so far.

Although building a business comes with it’s challenges, what has brought me ease is remembering my “Why”. Once I hone in on my INTENTIONS, I am able to overcome anything!

Throughout my journey, I have learned that there is great value in just starting where you are. Just start, and allow things to unfold beautifully. It may not always feel like its coming together, but it is. which brings me into another thing I’ve learned…I’ve learned to give myself grace and remember that I’m always doing better than I think! Just keep going!

Lastly, I want the world to know that Hair Care is Self Care and that You Are Your MANE FOCUS! I want them to know that prioritizing themselves isn’t selfish, but necessary! You can’t pour from an empty cup, so fill up and have plenty to overflow into the cups of others!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What I love most about being from New Orleans is that there is so much culture here! Everywhere you go there’s something to experience, even just walking down the street. And don’t even get me started on the food! If I were hosting a friend, I would invite them sometime in the month of April so that we’re able to catch the French Quarter Festival. This would be a great way to give them a taste of different New Orleans cuisines all in one area. Then I would take them to Vue Orleans for a virtual interactive glimpse of the city and its history. From there we would go down to the French Quarter where we would walk and enjoy different sites, restaurants, bars and art galleries!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my cousin Dana Chanel who has had a huge impact on my decision to become a hairstylist. It was her illustration of what a successful hairstylist looked like that helped me to know that I, too, could have success in this industry! I learned a lot from her throughout our years of working together and it has helped me to become the stylist that I am today. I love and appreciate her very much!

I also want to shoutout every woman and every girl who has trusted me to care for their hair! Without my clients, past and present, I would not be where I am in my career today! I’m so thankful for them!

Website: https://www.byashleerene.com

Instagram: @iamashleerene

Facebook: Ashlee Rene’ Hair

Youtube: By Ashlee Rene”

Image Credits
Taylor Hunter Photography

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