Meet Ashlyn Willingham | Happy Day Bowtique Owner

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

Hi Ashlyn, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
It has always been a dream of mine to start something of my own. I never thought I would actually open my own business. When I became a mom, the thought of leaving my daughter to go back to work was heartbreaking. So I quit my 9-5, opened a business with a friend for fun then decided to branch off on my own and turn my business into my career. Now, I am able to stay at home with my 2 kids while making some income, learn new things, be present and turn my dream into reality. The hardest part when I started my business was having no experience or knowledge on how to do it. I was willing to learn and put effort in to start a business from the ground up. I am still learning new skills, tactics and strategies as I go. I have realized that building a business on your own takes a lot of time but knowing that I am doing a majority of it on my own makes me very proud and has made me realize I can do anything I set my mind to. I think no matter what you do, you will risk something so you might as well just go for it. Starting a business is a huge risk, especially when you’re the only person running it. Not only is it difficult to make sure you’re getting everything done, it is also difficult financially. There are definitely hard days, days that scare me and days that knock me down. I know I will learn and continue to grow as time goes on, not only as a business but as a person. I know I would regret not starting a business but I would never regret taking a chance and trying. At the end of the day, I’m doing my best and I think that’s what matters most. This is my job but it’s also my passion. It is something that I created and I’m proud of that.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have always loved art and making something handmade. When I had my daughter I was obsessed with bows and all things girly. I started to make bows just for fun which turned into a passion. I have loved creating something that is my own. From picking fabric colors and designs to creating different styled bows. It genuinely makes me happy. As of right now, the clothing is handpicked by me from other retailers but I know eventually I will be able to design my own clothing and bring more of my creative ideas to life. When most people look at my business they think it’s just for babies or young children. I actually carry a wide variety of products. Sizes range from newborn all the way up to adult sizes. Also, available for boys, girls, men and women. As time has gone on I have wanted to expand my reach. That being said, the more I grow, the more items I will be adding so everyone can enjoy them. I know a lot of boutiques are priced on the higher end. I try my best to price my items lower so they are more affordable for everyone. I also offer discount codes and run sales often. I am very excited to see what the next year holds and even what the next 5 years hold. I would love to accomplish everything I have in mind overnight but I have realized that’s not reality, even small growth is still growth. To put it short and sweet, nothing about owning a business is easy, it is not a simple task but I will say it is 110% worth it. Knowing that I created my business and people want to purchase what I have is the most rewarding and gives me an indescribable happy feeling. I have overcome a lot of hardships just from simply giving things time. Learning to slow down and not try to rush through the days, each day is a new lesson that will set me up for a bigger accomplishment tomorrow. I want people to know that I am doing the best I can, that behind my business is a family, a mom, and an actual individual doing everything on my own. I am proud of what I have accomplished and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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?
The perfect day with my best friend would be a casual day of shopping at the outlet mall while drinking coffee followed by a country concert at Dos Equis Pavilion..

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my parents, my fiancé, my siblings and my extended family for giving me constant encouragement and letting me know how proud they are of me. For offering a helping hand when they can and for the much needed positive reassurance. They have taught me to just do what makes me happy and to never give up. They have always been by my side to cheer me on, lead me in the right direction and support me during the good and bad. I appreciate them for believing in me and helping me while I pursue this career path. Whether it be helping with my business, my kids or my daily tasks, they’re the ones that are always there. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without them, so I appreciate them more than they will ever know.

Website: http://happydaybowtique.myshopify.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/happyday.bowtique?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyday.bowtique?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: https://yelp.to/HF3Z6D68Ko

Other: Facebook VIP Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/714575523442190/?ref=share_group_link

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@happyday.bowtique?_t=8lggkizlmk2&_r=1