Life & Work with Ashley Gonzalez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Gonzalez.

Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I have always been a very creative, artistic person ever since I was a little girl. I remember I used to make my Barbie’s own clothes with clothes my mom would get rid of from her closet or my dad’s closet. Growing up, we lived in a very humble home and came from immigrant parents. After a few years working as a graphic designer, designing logos and branding services for local businesses I wanted to expand my business to a whole another level. I opened a custom hat bar and iron branding services. People get to customize their own western or non-western hat, and I get to iron brand it however they want. It is a really cool experience and service here in the Southwest. There’s a lot of new inventory coming for Ashley Gonzalez Designs and my Hat line “Amor Eterno.” I am happy to also announce my hats and other items will be available to purchase inside AZ Retail Therapy’s new storefront inside Phoenix Convention Center and inside New York store at Flying Solo in Manhattan. I am so excited and thrilled for what my business is about to become and also to cater to my amazing clients. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You ask me has it been a smooth road? I would like to answer that as a no. Starting your business from scratch is never easy and smooth. You always encounter obstacles, and it tests you to your max! My husband and I went through a very financial difficult time after having our baby, and we both encountered some very hard sacrifices we had to make, but blessed to say that now everything has been worth it. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I do a lot! Being a creative person has its pros and cons. Pros you are good at everything you set yourself to learn and craft. Cons is not offering one main service! I got to say though, I take it more as a cons because I have customers in every subject of my business, there’s no limits for me. People know me as their person to get their graduation cap topper done, a custom logo, and now your girl who drives around a cute pink horse trailer for her hat bar services! Overall, I am just really proud of how far I’ve come and grown; my business is my passion, what I do is done so to pure love for it. And I hope to continue doing! I think what’s sets me aside from others is my creativity in all fields, I am not catered to one particular audience because I go beyond that. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I didn’t have an easy home. For many private reasons but growing up, I learned to mature quick. I was my parents’ helping source for translating and navigating around since they didn’t speak English. I would go with my mom and sister to clean houses on the weekends. I was a very busy child! As a child I loved helping my mom cook, I played by myself since my siblings were older, and of course like every girl I loved to play with my dolls. When I was a child, I was also very shy and an introvert although you see me now and you wouldn’t think I was shy since I’m very outgoing now! 

Contact Info:

• Website: Ashleygonzalezdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleygonzalez_designs/?img_index=1

Image Credits
Samantha Anne Photography