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

Hi Ashlie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
There are a lot of pressures being an entrepreneur – ranging from financial, social, societal and differing measurements and levels of success. All of these areas bring a different set of problem/solutions and challenges. As a person who had always dreamed of running a successful business, I had also seen many successful people winning in the most disruptive ways.

One single important decision I made to MYSELF when I began to work for myself is to always stick to my values and morals in all decisions I made that impact my business, my people and my financials. There are many times we are faced with a decision that will greatly impact our business but be harmful to others along the way. Also, many entrepreneur mindsets are that of forcing your way to the top – no matter what.

This is not how I operate. I believe there is always a better way to do business and a right way to treat people and situations. Have I been tempted? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, doing business the right way almost doubles the success rate at which you can grow and continue to serve your audience and community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I worked as a corporate employee for almost 10 years & while I enjoyed and learned so much about myself, business and managing others, it was not my passion and I wanted so much more in my life. I wanted the freedom of entrepreneurship & being your own boss and I wanted to lead and guide others with the plans and visions I was imagining.

When I decided to leave my corporate job and become a franchisee owner in the fitness space, I did not have a lot of support and encouragement from friends, family and leaders in my current workplace. In fact, they thought I was crazy. They reminded me that I had a wonderful and stable job with so much potential to keep growing – and they were not wrong. However, my personal conviction and passion led me to make that career change. It was not easy. Five years later, it is STILL not easy. I am challenged daily with operations, financials, team leadership decisions and conflicts with business partners and even finding a work/life balance.

As a first time business owner partnering with my sister, we were faced with managing a pilates studio in Texas amidst a total shut down. We persisted. We continued to show up every day & change the plan. It took hours of planning daily and hours of communication with staff and clients. We drained ourselves. But we showed up and we made it happen.

In Nov 2023, we achieved a huge milestone of being in business together for 5 years! Why? Because we showed up and we did whatever we needed to make it happen. We did it with integrity. We did it with a sympathetic and understanding transparent human heart. And we did it consistently.

Business isn’t easy. Life isn’t easy. But showing up and being true and consistent to who you are allows the results to come with grace. Success can be defined so many ways but to me, success is sitting back at the end of the day, year, 5 years and seeing what I’ve built for myself, with my business partner in business and how many people’s lives we have positively impacted and guided from employees to clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As President of DFW WOMEN’S CLUB for the last year, I have been able to check out so many amazing local hot spots and I can tell you we have the best metroplex and area – but mostly because of the amazing people you will meet everywhere you go! Myself, I am a music junkie! I love all live music and especially smaller, intimate venues! One of my newest hotspots since moving to Lewisville has been dinner and live show at the Bartonville Store Restaurant & Jeter’s Meat Shop in Bartonville. It’s a smaller restaurant with a family vibe and the music is always a great show!

Anywhere around town that I can bring my big puppy, a 1.5 year old doberman pincher, is a spot that I add to my hangout list! That makes Truckyard in The Colony a great place for me to go with friends and family – live music, dog friendly and food trucks!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Always very driven, independent and a workaholic, my early career was focused on proving that I was capable and could be the best at what I did. I worked relentlessly, day in and day out to achieve #1 sales titles in all metrics and areas and find ways to constantly be placed in a spotlight.

As I transitioned from corporate to entrepreneurship, the spotlight and recognition in my world changed dramatically. I began to feel isolated, excluded and longed for community and other forms of continued motivation.

While I had the most amazing support from my business partner, as we expanded our business I found a community of other likeminded women that sparked my mind full of new ideas, projects, visions of success. I grew close to the DFW WOMEN’S CLUB & continued to stay connected and involved as the organization grew from a small Facebook group into an official nonprofit organization with more than 11k women!

Recently I was having a phone conversation with a close friend and board member of the DFW Women’s Club and she quoted to me “Alone we can go fast, Together we can go far.”

It is so true that the people around us are so important to our success and our journey & I am so thankful to find other amazing women working their own paths but continuing to walk right beside me with encouragement!

Website: https://linktr.ee/awaggs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awaggs/

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

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.