Meet Ashley Boden of Tiger & Hunny in Denver

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

Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I recently found a scrapbook of fashion and cosmo magazine cutouts from when I was 12 and it was overflowing to form outfit inspiration and collages with little scribbles and drawings everywhere. My story honestly starts here because it’s been since I was a kid that I have been drawn to fashion and using clothing as a tool to express myself. I didn’t always know I wanted to be in the industry but I knew my heart was excited to drop some money on some new shoes if ya know what I mean.

Tiger & Hunny launched in February of this year. Building this brand was not something I had seen for myself even five years ago but came to be after I truly started investing time and effort into myself after graduating from CSU in 2015. I quickly realized that my happiness in life was going to greatly depend on finding a career where I could express myself creatively and focus on my passion for the industry. After building the online side of a local brick & mortar boutique in Fort Collins I began to realize my true propensity for the field and I fell in love with the creative ability that came with a small business atmosphere. Shortly after I left this position and began working in corporate retail again was the creation of Tiger & Hunny.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For me, it’s been more like a 4×4 trail but hey, come at me. Starting this business and the journey of entrepreneurship has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve grown so much as a human and have pushed myself to the limit multiple times. The hustle has been trying to get this brand off the ground but I think that’s why I was meant to begin this journey. We all have our thing(s) in life that push us to grow and this has been mine. I truly believe that you can choose to lean into the challenges life throws your way or let them overcome you and leaning into the challenges of this business has only allowed for more opportunities in the long run.

The biggest obstacle for me thus far has been dealing with a rebrand shortly after my launch. I did a name change to Tiger & Hunny about two months in and even though I am so glad for this rebrand now, at the time it was devastating. You can read all about it over on the blog. https://tigerandhunny.com/blogs/blog/vulnerability

Tell us more about your business.
Tiger & Hunny is an online and pop-up shop that travels in a 1991 Ford Econoline van. Come to a pop-up to shop something you’ve been eyeing online or come to hang out and talk about style or what you had for breakfast this morning… I don’t care! I want everyone to feel comfortable and like they are hanging out with their best friend. For me, it’s not about making a sale but learning about what works for people and what they need. “Don’t buy it if you’re not going to show it off” is something I say a lot because these styles are too good to be hidden away in the closet. Sometimes we are going to have the best style for you, your body type, and what you’re looking for and sometimes we might not and that’s okay.

We carry vintage and thrift, one of a kind pieces mixed with new styles that I love for styling. The mix gives a very distinct vibe to the racks when you are picking through because you can mix and match and always find something different. I just started adding in thrift home decor items to our pop-up events which are such fun as well.

Being someone who has struggled with the fit of clothing from a young age, it was not an option to ignore body positivity when I began Tiger & Hunny. We are about finding something that makes you feel good for and about yourself. I am always striving to find styles for the store that are complimenting multiple body shapes and am constantly talking with my customers about what they are loving or would like to see added in. I want my brand to be a constant conversation about loving yourself and about building one another up and fashion is such a powerful tool for this.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Tiger & Hunny just recently moved from Fort Collins, CO area down to Denver so our plans include taking over 303. I plan to be popping up in the Denver area even more than we were before and building connections with businesses down here. I am so excited about the thrifting scene down here and the ability to be adding in some great pieces to the store.

Pricing:

• Our styles range from $10 – $120

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tigerandhunny.com
• Email: hello@tigerandhunny.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigerandhunny/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tigerandhunny/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thehunnyvan/

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