Meet Ashley Gibson | Dog mom & creator

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

Hi Ashley, what inspires you?
Mema & Mama was named after the two women who taught me about nature and allowed me to be creative. I love mixing in pieces inspired by animals and plants. The three of us always loved gardening and being outdoors with our dogs.

I also love receiving custom orders! This summer, a bride and I collaborated. She wanted a very specific look for herself and her bridesmaids for the wedding day. Even though to her it may have seemed small, it meant a lot to me to be a part of such a monumental day in her life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s easy to be hard on yourself. That’s the hardest part: finding the gumption to go put yourself out there and just TRY. I by no means am a millionaire, but it makes me endlessly happy to create special pieces for people. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding or something to commemorate a loved one, it is so awe inspiring to be a part of someone else’s life.

I am the creator/owner/secretary/accountant/PR rep for Mema & Mama. Finding outlets to sell was scary to me at first. I was happily welcomed into the DFW vendor community with help from Wandering Roots Markets, Funkytown Lost & Found and DFW Shopz.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I always like to start off with an outdoor eating venue. I have lived in many different places and I think Fort Worth is so cool and vibrant. I always say it’s “big city vibes without the big city attitude.” I would take them to Heim (but early enough to catch the bacon burnt ends) on White Settlement Road. I love their outdoor eating setup there and I can bring my dogs with little hassle.

We would go walk the Trinity Trail to Mutt’s Cantina in Clearfork and grab a drink at Mesero. They have plenty of delicious cocktails.

I am admittedly a home body, but I love going out to eat. Maggie’s RNR has great food and drinks with the amount of Tajin I need. Maria’s has amazing enchiladas. Mesomaya’s pastel de moras is DIVINE and this is coming from someone who doesn’t care for sweets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I first started Mema & Mama over a year ago, I was so nervous to tell anyone. I was self conscious and terrified of failure. When I told Mama, she was not only proud but also touched that I named my business after her and her mom. Both women have since passed away, but their memory lives on in the jewelry I create.

My friends and family have been extremely supportive. It’s not just about buying something from a small business; it’s about the encouragement too. My boyfriend and our dogs have kept me company while I create. My friends have come to vendor events. Strangers have donated to Fort Worth Abandoned Alliance in memory of my mother. If there’s one thing Mama taught me it’s that the little things turn out to be big things sometimes.

Website: Mema-and-mama.myshopify.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/shop_mema_mama