Meet Ash Worden | Parent & Advocate

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

Hi Ash, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success comes from the love and support I receive from my family. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; I do not take any of our relationships for granted. I know that what I have is special and I have them to thank for every opportunity they have encouraged me to pursue. My husband and my kids fuel me every day to show up as my best self. I also have my friends to thank for loving and supporting me no matter how I show up. I consider my closest friends my second family so their support means just as much. I like to surround myself with people who add value to my life

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Ash and I was born to be a mom. I have wanted to be a parent for as long as I can remember. Because this longing started as such a young age, adults liked to remind me how difficult being parent can be. Growing up I never met an adult who told young me the joys of parenting when I would demonstrate eager I was for the challenge. I decided very young that if being a parent was going to be hard I needed to start practicing every single day. In grade school, my parenting potential and dedication was noticed by teachers. I was first appointed Peer Mentor in third grade and was partnered with a non-verbal student to encourage their use of an AAC device. By middle school, I was actively seeking out students to help before teachers would get to get involved. In high school, I participated in the PALS program and spent my lunch hour each day in a different elementary/middle school. In college, I assisted at an in-home daycare and later became a private nanny. Now in my thirties, I have two beautiful children of my own. Being a mother has been everything I have dreamed of and more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve spent my fair share of time living in both the Big D and little d; Dallas and Denton. They both hold such special places in my heart because of the food culture tucked into the various neighborhoods. They are also both known to have some of the best bookstores in Texas. If I am visiting Dallas, my first stop is Lucky Dog Bookstore in East Dallas. I love getting lost in the back hallways before picking out a book of my own. Next stop is just down the street at Hello Dumpling. Mama June’s dumplings are NOT something you want to miss out on. When you are ready for drinks, you can head next door to Goodfriend’s Beer Garden and Burger House. If I am visiting Denton, a visit to Recycled Books on the Denton Square is absolutely required. I grew up going to that bookstore on the weekends with my dad and it has been a treasure to recreate that memory with my own kids. My favorite place to eat is just around the corner at Cartwright’s Ranch House. It is rightfully known for it’s classic chicken fried steak but they also has the best bread pudding you will ever have in your life. You will want to walk off your meal before winding down with drinks so head down the street to Harvest House. Harvest House has my favorite patio in Denton.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to start by thanking Voyage Dallas and Shoutout DFW for this opportunity to share my story. In 2018, I received the opportunity to share my story as a makeup artist in East Dallas. I have since closed that chapter of my life but it is a time I am able to fondly look back on thanks to that original article. Flash forward to today, and I am getting to do this once again. It really makes me feel validated in that what I am doing matters; true change begins with ourselves.
I also want to talk about my brother. I was 11 years old when he was born and his presence changed my life. When he was born, I understood what it felt like for the first time to have someone be a part of you. When I held him the first time, I remember thinking to myself this must be what it feels like to be a mother. That true love was so powerful to me I understood my life purpose in that moment.

Instagram: @itsashworden