We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Barnum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As a mother of 4 children, A 14 year old Mater Dei Football Athlete; USA Taekwondo Nationally Ranked Blackbelt Sparring Champion, a 12 year old 7x Cheerleading National Champion, a 3 year old high energy and creative preschooler, and an independent and busy 1 year old— Ive always been asked and or told “How do you do it?” or “I dont know how you do it?.” Balance is difficult to come by when you live in a busy athlete driven household— are super involved with your children’s activities— A Full time RN student, and as a business owner I have learned to ADAPT.

My ability to be okay with the hustle and bustle of life has enhanced my skill of time management, organization, and of course being present in the moment. In the past I always had anxiety especially second guessing myself with everything I do, and making sure that I still made time for my children. As a full time RN student, a 16 hour day with homework and countless hours of studying has been a struggle for me, but in the words of my mentor @brow_baddie Jackie Kaiklian, “everything is temporary” so I take it upon myself to remind me that all of these emotions that I am feeling are temporary and this too shall pass— now having that motto has allowed me to affirm myself “JUST DO IT” “JUST GET IT DONE” — and I just do it. In the end everything will play out and work out and it eventually does.

Every morning after my prayer to God I re-set, I re-align, re-start, re-claim, and re-ignite. There is no use in dwelling and telling myself “this is too much” “this is too overwhelming” because TIME IS NON-REFUNDABLE and that I have to USE EVERY BIT OF MY TIME WITH POSITIVE INTENTION.

Balance is stability found at the center of acceptance, and I have accepted everything and that is how I maintain my life— it is the key to everything; what I do, eat, say, feel, think, all of this requires awareness, and through this awareness, I can grow, and have continued to keep growing into the woman I want to become.

What should our readers know about your business?
Initially I started as a Hyaluron Pen Artist in March of 2019. My brand ASHSTHETICX LLC has grown into now 2 businesses including Vanessa Barnum Brows; soon to be ASHLEY INK’d specializing in Tiny Tattoos & Ombré Powder Brows. My mentor @brow_baddie prides herself in woman empowerment and for me she did just that. She influenced me to pass on generational wealth and to heal generational traumas of my past; that is the biggest drive I have to give my children, to pass on deeds, keys, and LLC’s instead of being haunted by my past and being unable to break the vicious cycle and passing it to my children.

I started my small business to HEAL MY TRAUMA. Postpartum Depression is REAL and suffering from it is no joke, I grew my business appreciating the different women and men that I have met who have played the biggest role in helping me heal myself and to be better for them and for my own well being. My students and clients helped me in overcoming my past and I owe every thing I do with my business to them. I wouldnt be who I am today (business wise; brand wise) without them.

None of this is easy, starting a business is HARD, but you can claim overnight success with a quick buck, you have to have the HEART, THE HUSTLE, THE DRIVE, THE MOTIVATION, and THE FIRE. I failed several times not only with my business, but in life as well, but giving up was never an option for me. Despite failures, I kept going, despite loss income, I kept pushing, and really that’s exactly what you should do. When life gets hard, you have two options, you give up and stay stagnant and comfortable— or you keep going and take risks; in the words of my mentor, THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS, SO KEEP BETTING ON YOURSELF; I did just that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Disneyland! I would definitely take my best friend to do Disney Ashley Style! I want her to enjoy a line-free day filled with Yummy food and delicious treats the Disney Parks has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shout out to my children, Chase, Ava, Elektra, and ThiLân — they are my reason, and every intention I set for my success ans future. My children are my drive to every single thing I do.

To my family— Travis, Mary Ann, and Eddie who have been my backbone for every triump and tribulation that I have encountered— you all are the BEST HELP with my school and our children. I could not have done it without you.

My sister, Hanna— she gave me the idea for my business and pushed me to take my risk and just run with it, and without her by my side supporting my want to start a business — I wouldnt have been able to do this.

Lastly, my mentor- Jackie Kaiklian, Owner of Allure Ink Academy, my long time friend, inspiration, business coach, BIG SIS, and everything else in between— she is GOD SEND and have been my biggest MOTIVATOR AND CHEERLEADER through all my endeavors. Jackie has molded me into the woman entrepreneur I am today. Her intelligence and knowledge she passed on to me has HELPED ME IMMENSELY and without her in my corner, Id be lost. I aspire to be like her some day— she is an amazing woman and has helped so many like me with small businesses. Jackie is my miracle. She is saved my life in more ways than 1.

Website: www.ashstheticx.com

Instagram: ashstheticxLLC

Other: Instagram: @ashleyinkd – PMU Artistry

Image Credits
Photos by: Kreative Content

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