Meet Ashley Mclaughlin of Young Living Essential Oils in Phoenix

Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started using essential oils about five years ago because my two boys were very sick. At the time, I was a stay at home mama who loved everything that job entailed, but I longed for more. I knew that there was something missing and I knew I wanted to do something more with my life, but I wasn’t sure how I could create a change or movement, while still being completely present with my kids.

Enter Young Living.

My two boys were constantly sick with respiratory illnesses, and we spent a lot of time in hospitals, getting them the medication and help they needed. I knew that there had to be something else we could do to support them, and quickly began researching natural options. Young living was an answer to our search for natural support and wellness for our boys, but I had no idea how much of an answer it would be for myself and my desire for community, purpose, and an outlet for my creativity.

Our story was so powerful that people began to notice and ask questions, and they wanted what we had. After helping other families get started, it became evident that we needed education and resources to support them on their journey. I also became increasingly aware that so many other mamas longed for community and purpose just like I once had.

My essential oils business went from being something that I did to get me out of the house, to a movement of men and women who want more for themselves and their families. I now lead a team of over one thousand families all across the world who are on their journey to wellness, purpose, and abundance.

I get to partner with families and educate them on their natural living journey, as well as partner with women and men and help them dream bigger, tap into their passions, create a community, share with others and believe in themselves again. This business truly is one of the greatest gifts I have been given!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This business hasn’t always been easy. In fact, when you choose to do something that is outside of the “norm,” you get a lot of backlash.

I had friends and family, and even my husband, who thought that I was being duped or scammed. This was probably one of the hardest parts of my journey, mainly because I used to put way too much value on what others thought of me, and had to always deal with the negative backlash of a dream that seemed so far fetched, or out of the “norm.”

When my business quickly began to grow, and the community began to take shape, and we began winning trips and contests, and I was able to “show” my success, the talk began to stop. I will always be an advocate for listening to your own voice. You shouldn’t have to “prove” your success in order for people to believe your dreams. What is in your heart, if you truly believe in yourself, can come to fruition.

I had to learn to tune out the noise and the judgment and just trust the process. What has taken shape, hasn’t happened overnight, no successful business will, but the hard work, and uphill climb is always worth it.

Young Living Essential Oils – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you and your community apart within young living as a whole?
I think one of the things that have always set me apart is my ability to see more in other people than they can for themselves.

I have always been a dreamer or visionary, and one of my biggest dreams when I first started was to create a place where people felt encouraged and loved and challenged and valued.

One of my favorite parts of what I have created is watching that dream come true through the community of families who partner together and work side by side toward a common goal.

We all desire to see natural wellness become mainstream, and for families to become more vibrant and healthy, and we know that the only way this can happen is by getting more boots on the ground, and investing in people’s lives.

Yes, we sell something, but we value PEOPLE over profit.

This community started as a vision, but it has become who we are and what we stand for. We are changing the way of sales, and choosing to instead see people for who they are and share our story for what it is.

Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
I have lived in Phoenix my entire life. I love the way it is so big, but still so small. There is so much culture and life here and so many ways to connect with people through good food, events, and outdoor activities.

To be honest, I could do without the heat.