Meet Trailblazer Ashley Meier

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

Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my photography business in 2014 after about a few years of taking photos as a hobbyist and working in the corporate grind as a Banking Officer. I finished an MBA program two years prior, and knew I wanted to eventually be an entrepreneur, but didn’t think I should jump right into my own business after finishing school. So thus began my career in the corporate world! It didn’t last long – work politics. feeling like I was asked to compromise my values and 55+ work weeks were not my jam.

It’s actually funny though because I’ve never really been one to just go with the crowd. I have always been the type of person who is friends with completely different people and avoids the cliche group dynamic because I’m a very independent thinker who isn’t afraid to stand up for the truth.

Throughout my years as a photographer, I specialized mostly in weddings and seniors. My family was ultimately my focus though, and figuring out how to make a full-time salary on part-time hours was my ultimate goal. I successfully did that in year 2 of my business I believe, and every year after that was even better.

I think I became an accidental leader in my community by just showing up and making friends. I am so business minded and loved talking to other women photographers about their businesses and sharing my insight. I kept hearing stories of these women failing in their businesses and losing hope, and it truly broke my heart. After running my photography business for close to 6 years and having our 3rd baby in October 2018, I decided to stop taking clients cold turkey so I could focus on helping other photographers run their own businesses.

Now, I help photographers bloom in their businesses so they can follow their dreams. I encourage women photographers to launch or re-vitalize their photography businesses to profitably fit their life design.

I’m all about that freedom – whether that’s financial freedom or being able to do whatever the heck they want. And honestly, I LOVE business so much and am darn good at it – so it’s a blessing to be able to share my passion.

Has it been a smooth road?
Oh man – I feel like I have had two major experiences that have really been heartbreaking in my career.

I was actually fired from my job as a Banking Officer. I worked with a female “mentor” who abused her power and was on a sole mission to break me down. I would get written up for weird things – like “writing my employees thank you notes” while as was at my house drinking wine at 9:00 pm because “I should have been working on other things.” Or my favorite was when she told me “I should go learn how to do my makeup at a department store beauty counter.” I think she could probably tell she couldn’t control me and felt threatened by that.

The second experience was when I dealt with two very difficult clients who wanted to slander my name. It’s the worst feeling in the world to feel like you’re being attacked unfairly and can’t do anything to stop it. You feel hurt, ashamed and powerless.

My advice for women along the way is to trust your gut and have confidence going into your career because you know a lot more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t allow people to label you – they don’t have your best interest at heart so this is why building your own dreams is so crucial. Be careful who trust though and allow into your inner circle. Also, never be afraid to stand up to bullies, but also make a choice about what headaches you are willing to endure. I am a justice warrior and it for sure has made my path harder sometimes. However, at the end of the day, going through heartbreak and difficult situations have pushed me and made me mad enough to funnel my energy into following my dreams. Funny how that works.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Well, I’m an ex-photographer, MBA, storytelling + SEO expert :). I help photographers build profitable businesses that fit their life design.

I am proud of my accomplishments – $43K program launches, averaging $2.2K per portrait client and ultimately working about 2x a week when I was running my photography business.

I took risks, was very strategic about what I did and now teach people my systems. It’s so cool to look back and see what I built – and then to step into this whole new online education and marketing world is the latest and greatest challenge. I am having a blast and feel like I’m exactly where I should be and building a business of my dreams.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best thing you can do for yourself is to invest in education and invest in people. Make friends, be genuinely interested, have fun and don’t be afraid to test the waters. Being an entrepreneur is all about trial and error. The ones who give up and stop trying are the ones who fail. The ones who succeed are the ones who don’t let “no” stand in their way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleyjuneco.com/
• Email: ashley@thephotobloom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyjuneco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjuneco/
• Other: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thephotobloom/

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.