Rising Stars: Meet Ashley Lenz of Scottsdale

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

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been someone who’s deeply driven by creativity, purpose, and helping people. I started my career in education in 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. Since then I have been a dedicated dual language teacher, teaching content in both Spanish and English. I moved to Arizona in 2018 to pursue my PhD in Spanish linguistics and graduated in 2022. I now teach full time in Phoenix as a Spanish dual language educator, teaching math, science and social studies in Spanish.

I started my business back in 2015 when I noticed a real gap in high-quality curriculum resources available in Spanish. As someone who cares deeply about education and language equity, it felt like a natural fit to start creating materials that could support bilingual classrooms and give teachers the tools they really needed. That’s when Dual Language Designs was born. I began selling my bilingual resources and classroom decorations online to help support other teachers around the world.

Then, during the pandemic, like many people, I found myself craving an additional creative outlet. That’s when I started designing stickers and t-shirts, originally just for fun, and specifically geared toward bilingual teachers like myself. But what started as a side project quickly grew into something more. I began branching out, experimenting with different products, and reaching a wider audience of educators and creatives who connected with what I was making.

Building on that creative momentum, I recently expanded my business even further. In March, I officially launched Sweet Little Cositas, a personalized gift brand that combines my love of thoughtful design with the joy of celebrating people and milestones.

Today, I’ve built a brand that blends education, creativity, and culture, something I’m really proud of. It’s been a journey of following my passion, listening to my community, and evolving over time. And I’m excited to keep growing from here.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. One of the biggest turning points was moving to a new state completely on my own. Starting over in a new place while trying to grow a business came with a lot of uncertainty and personal growth. I had to figure things out without a local support system, which pushed me to become more independent and resourceful.

Then, like many small business owners, the pandemic brought a wave of challenges. Suddenly everything changed, routines, priorities, income streams. It was hard to navigate that uncharted territory, especially while trying to maintain creativity, stay connected to my audience, and keep things afloat emotionally and financially.

And of course, starting and running a business itself is a huge learning curve. I didn’t come from a background in business, so I had to teach myself everything from compliance, marketing and pricing to production. There were lots of moments of doubt, trial and error, and figuring things out as I went.

But through it all, I’ve learned how to trust myself, pivot when needed, and stay grounded in my “why.” The struggles shaped me just as much as the wins, and they’ve made me more resilient, adaptable, and intentional in what I create.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
If you know me, you know I’ve always got a new project brewing, but at the heart of everything I do is the goal of creating meaningful, intentional products that serve and uplift others.

I started out designing Spanish curriculum resources, and that’s still a big part of my work. I specialize in creating engaging, standards-aligned materials for bilingual and dual-language classrooms, resources that are both academically solid and culturally responsive. I want teachers to feel seen and supported, and for students to feel proud of their language and identity.

Beyond curriculum, I’m also the creative behind a growing line of apparel, stickers, and personalized gifts. My designs are known for being colorful, fun, and encouraging, especially among bilingual educators. Most recently, I launched Sweet Little Cositas, a personalized gift shop where I create custom pieces that bring joy to everyday moments and special milestones, as well as helping other small business owners market and grow their own businesses.

One of the things I’m most proud of is allowing myself to pause and actually take in how far I’ve come. Like a lot of creatives and small business owners, I’ve definitely experienced imposter syndrome. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s next or feel like you’re not doing “enough.” But when I step back and really look at what I’ve built, from launching resources that are used in classrooms around the country to creating a brand that connects with people, I’m genuinely proud.

I also take a lot of pride in being able to support and mentor others who are just getting started. Whether it’s sharing what I’ve learned, cheering someone on, or helping someone avoid the mistakes I’ve made, I’m truly an educator at heart and love being part of someone else’s growth. That sense of community and mutual support is a huge part of why I do what I do.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Definitely! I rely on a mix of tools, resources, and community spaces that help me every day. I use the Adobe Creative Cloud, Procreate, and Canva for designing.

But honestly, what fuels me most is community. I’m a part of some really special spaces through Facebook groups and Instagram, where I can connect with other educators, creatives, and small business owners. It’s not just about promoting products, it’s about answering questions, sharing the journey, supporting each other, and being real. Those platforms let me show up authentically and also learn from others.

A book that I enjoyed reading and refer to when I need some extra motivation is Atomic Habits. It’s a practical guide to building small, sustainable habits that compound into big results. It reminds me to keep showing up, even when things feel messy or uncertain.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://duallanguagedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/duallanguagedesigns
• Other: https://sweetlittlecositas.com