Meet Ashley Boyle | Small Business Owner

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always felt energized and aligned when creating, designing, decorating, and writing — and I’d often get positive feedback in those areas. But, I knew I didn’t have the schooling or professional experience to land an artistic job or career, so I wanted to create that opportunity for myself. Also, being a bit more shy and introverted in a society that tends to value extroverted and outgoing behavior, landing jobs, in general, was never an easy thing for me. Therefore, I decided to pursue my own business because I wanted to prove that even if others wouldn’t take a risk on me, I could take a risk on myself. I felt really passionate about my mission to recognize humanity and mark moments of authentic connection, and if nothing else, I knew that as a creative outlet, it would make me happy.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Kufara provides a simple, tangible way to connect and celebrate good people through the act of giving. We offer bracelets with unique ID numbers so that each bracelet, and those it’s passed to, can be part of an ever-growing story. They serve as a reminder to pay attention to the people around you and to appreciate small or meaningful connections. I’m really proud of what I’ve created, and having been featured on NBC, but I’m most proud of the stories that have been shared. It feels good to know that Kufara’s helped others to be more intentional with expressing gratitude. Some of the stories are raw, heartfelt, and show that people have taken the time to put words to things they’ve, seemingly, never vocalized before. The fact that Kufara has played a part in that, and has made people feel good, makes me feel like I’ve succeeded.
Starting the company was a long, drawn-out, challenging process and it’s constantly putting me outside of my comfort zone. What kept me motivated was the fact that I believed in the idea, I believed in myself, and I welcomed all of the ways that I would learn and grow in the process. As cheesy as it sounds, the biggest lesson I’ve learned throughout this journey is that if you put a lot of time and energy into something, you can and will find a way to make it happen. Even if it seems crazy at first or you have your doubts, as long as you keep moving forward, no matter how small your steps, you will eventually get to where you want to be. And I remind myself of that constantly, in all areas of life.

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?
There are so many gems in this city. The things that immediately come to mind are Griffith Observatory at night, Melrose Trading Post, The Broad Museum, EP LP for rooftop drinks, El Matador Beach in Malibu, Nobu Malibu at sunset, an early hike at Runyon or Fryman Canyon, the Hollywood farmers market, Wally’s for wine and charcuterie, comedy night at Best Fish Taco in Los Feliz, and walk / shop / eat on Abbot Kinney in Venice. While there are definitely more, those are some of my favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely, the catalyst for my business was Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservancy in Zimbabwe. It’s a great organization that made me feel at home amongst such a kind, diverse and accepting group of people. Even though the program is centered around wildlife conservation — which I love — the people, locals, and other volunteers had a lasting impact and inspired me to see this through.
I also spent time working at the London hotel in West Hollywood where guests would visit from all over the world. It was my first taste of LA, meeting new people and making new connections. Every morning, I’d seat people at breakfast and pay attention to how they’d interact with the strangers around them. Sometimes I’d seat those who were alone next to each other, in hopes they might strike up a conversation. Witnessing strangers connect, even if only for a moment, and appear happier — made me happier. So that really started to plant a seed in my mind as well.

Website: https://kufara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskufara/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsKUFARA/

Other: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/kufara-bracelets-are-made-to-give-away-over-and-over-again/2783796/

Image Credits
Mark Koenig