Meet Ashley Slaughter

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

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Giving back to others in need, when you have the means, is an effective way to make your local community and the world a better place. I grew up volunteering in my community with this mindset and believe that we all need this more than ever now.

I have a passion for and have acquired a talent for throwing fun events. I love getting people together and meeting new people. I probably get it from my mom: She has always been giving, crafty, and throws the best parties.

One day I decided to throw a yoga party benefitting St Jude on a pier in NYC and called it Sweat for Smiles. The positive energy generated at that event from the giving back, doing a healthy workout, meeting like-minded people, learning about healthy sips and bites was so powerful and uplifting for all of us.

It’s this irreplaceable positive energy that got me started with Sweat for Smiles events. I enjoy teaming up with corporations and brands to get people together in person to give back to charity but also to themselves with friendship and fitness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of the community of generous fitness and wellness-minded people created by Sweat for Smiles. People that attend events always meet someone new and leave feeling inspired and accomplished.

Running Sweat for Smiles demands a lot of negotiating, writing, and persistence. My background includes being a Division 1 NCAA Competitive Swimmer, getting an MBA from USC and pursuing a career in marketing at Hearst Magazines. I have been able to lean on skills (determination, asking questions, setting goals) acquired from my past accomplishments to propel Sweat for Smiles forward.

Being a mom, it’s not easy to balance work and life. This, along with a low budget, is my biggest challenge. I have found that asking for what you need and not ever quitting despite who may try to bring you down are the keys to succeeding at what you want.

I look forward to continuing my goal in creating more Sweat for Smiles events with other brands and corporations that want to help get people together for a positive experience of fitness and togetherness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA is amazing because you can do almost anything you want. You can go to the beach in Santa Monica in the morning, and Ski in the mountains at night. I’ve done this! You’re about 2 hours away from San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Palm Desert. You can take surf lessons in Malibu or OC, get a frozen banana in Balboa, see a comedy show on Sunset Blvd, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, go to a football game at the Coliseum (Fight On Trojans!), swim at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Go to museums, see a play at the Pantages, so much more!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My good friend and celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor, Kristin McGee did many of the workouts for Sweat for Smiles events in the beginning. Other instructors include Karina Blackwood, and Elizabeth Tretter. Without these instructors help, Sweat for Smiles may not have grown to where it is today. I am grateful for their generosity and expertise.

Website: Sweatforsmiles.com

Instagram: @sweatforsmiles

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/ashleyslaughter

Twitter: @sweatforsmiles

Facebook: Facebook.com/sweatforsmiles

Youtube: YouTube.com/sweatforsmiles