Meet Ashley Hughes of Sipnics In The City in Downtown

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

How did Sipnics In the City start and how did I get where I am today?
My name is Ashley Hughes; I am the Owner of Sipnics In The City. As a Registered Nurse and a new graduate Nurse Practitioner, the COVID-19 outbreak has been influential in my life from caring for patients in the hospital, constantly seeing it on the news station, and social media. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of what’s going on around us. It’s been easy for my anxiety to set in while I am on the frontline and trying self-quarantine as much as possible, my normal has been shifted; yet; I’m thankful.

I started dating my fiancé in March during COVID-19 and became very creative with our dates. Our first date was a picnic in Piedmont Park. After enjoying the planning process and the execution with the look on his face, I felt overjoyed. I always had a niche for planning and creating experiences for others to enjoy. I finally decided to utilize my creative side.

Sipnics In The City is a black owned luxury picnic company that has set a standard to provide a luxury service to people, especially during COVID-19. The company was founded to provide luxury to people and a sense of normalcy within this pandemic. I needed a creative outlet to release stress; I always had a niche for planning and creating experiences for others to enjoy; so I realized how much I loved decorating and designed these little versatile dining rooms that go into the park. Curating and executing Sipnics is a balance between the organization, luxury decorating, and creativity. Every time I create a sipnic experience I have always remembered the experiences that I indulged in and crafted for others. Combining nature with luxury is the entire purpose of @sipnicsinthecity. Sipnicking on the lawn, at home, indoors, or wherever with friends laughing and chatting in dresses, sunhats, and sunshine will help ease any problems.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I started Sipnics In The City, I was in my last semester of Nurse Practitioner school. I was juggling starting my last semester online in the middle of a pandemic, working as a nurse without adequate support from nursing leadership, and trying to complete 180 clinical hours in Primary care. Putting the idea into fruition was the smoothest part, yet entrepreneurship has its challenges. Being transparent, I had to figure out how to run my business for me. Being a black woman within this climate adds even more pressure. It is a mixture of being likable but business-appropriate without looking like the angry black woman. Within the first couple of months of starting my business, my business was under attack. Being able to see someone use your creativity, your idea, and take it as if it is their own is something that no one is ever prepared for before. I have had ideas and concepts “stolen from me;” yet, Sipnics In The City was different. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into a business that was going to provide luxury service and indulgence for women that looked like me, for women who did not partake in self-care, and for women who needed a damn break from reality and being so strong! I had to become the boss and protect my brand. See these are not the tips and stories that people share within their entrepreneurial journey. It is often painted as if it is an idea that you just do; yet it is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, tears, frustrations, and high and lows that come with this position. Luckily, I am surrounded around girl bosses and one of my best friends owns a law firm that specializes in trademarking and “protecting your very important brand.” Brittany J. Thompson, at Your Brands Law Firm, helped me trademark my logo and my name. There cannot be a sipnic without Sipnics In The City.

Statistics have shown that Black business owners and founders have more challenges with adequate funding and investments. I was able to use the money for my career as a nurse to help me build my product inventory. I took a bet on myself, despite it being a different venture for me. Although I have experience in nursing, running a business, and being my own boss was something that I had to teach myself. There are a lot of how-to guides and eBooks that could be purchased; however, knowing what works for your business and you are priceless.

Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth —Chris Bennet, founder of Wonderschool.

This quote sums up my business with Sipnics In The City. Many of my clients come from referrals; I am full of gratitude. Do you remember the last time you had experienced something that felt like true appreciation that you had to tell your friends about it? Whether a person is on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social site, the enthusiasm from the experience that I have crafted drives the importance of word of mouth. Word of mouth is one of the most important marketing skills that has contributed to the success of my company. Having my brand become part of conversations that I am not physically present speaks highly of the service that I provide. I engage with my clients, equip them with an experience of social elevation that I hope that they cannot forget, and empower them with different ways to craft and indulge in a sipnic experience

Sipnics In The City – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sipnics In The City loves details!! When planning a sipnic, the first thing that I am keen on is colors. After mastering the decor color, I indulge in detail. My company is known for creating mini dining rooms in the park and ensuring the experience is a luxurious one. My clients are able to have an open line of communication when planning and creating the ultimate experience. Sipnics In the City curates and takes care of all details whether they are big or small. The client doesn’t have to lift a finger. No sipnic experience is alike; they all crafted and planned to give the ultimate extravagant feel for that patron. Looking to add pizzazz to your event?! With an option for every budget, our picnic packages are inclusive, good for any size group and include: A 2 1/2-hour service for two with setting up and taking down, Decor color of your choice, Picnic Tables, Glasses, Napkins, Plates, Silverware, Pillows, One Floral arrangement, pillows, and bamboo ottomans and candles. When it comes to curating the perfect tablespace, every detail, from the real dinnerware to the linens, counts. Yet there’s one element that typically stands out from the rest: The flower arrangement. We scout the perfect location, set it up give a luminous feel, and then clean up every detail giving the patron the freedom to walk off reminiscing about their experience.

What I am most proud of regarding Sipnics In The City is planning my own proposal. I am an attention to detail type of person. It is what sets my luxury picnic company aside from others. When my fiancé made up the fake profile and booked a sipnic experience with me, I was overjoyed at the thought of planning someone else’s proposal. I wanted to get everything perfect and create the most luxurious experience that would be life-changing. Little did I know was that I was actually emailing with him. He had listened to the proposed idea and even advised me on minor details to make the event curated for the couple! The thoughtfulness in this is that our first date was a picnic in the park! We both had never actually gone on a picnic. Sipnics In The City continuously reminds me of the love and excitement that I was and still am fill with when I planned our first picnic!

Sipnics In The City Created the BYOB package. Build Your Own Basket. For people that do not live in Atlanta, I wanted to find a way to curate this experience so that they too could experience a sipnic. A sipnic season continues to flourish, whether it be in the form of picnic baskets in the park, backyard, or indoors, we created the perfect sipnic experience! Sipnics In The City To Go is one of our newest packages that provide décor of choice, dinnerware, a picnic basket that’s customized to the decor colors that you choose, glasses, a blanket, SIPcuterie boxes, personalized hand sanitizer, and silverware. Sipnics In The City has expanded to provide charcuterie boards as known as sipcuteries, because what is a charcuterie without the sip (wine)!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition of success is knowing that what I am doing as a Registered Nurse, a new graduate Nurse Practitioner, as the owner of Sipnics In the City, and As a woman will lead to me helping others to lead a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life by maximizing the importance of self-care, self-love, and self-worth. We often talk about making it to the top; yet, what’s at the top if you did not bring or help anyone along the way. I want to be measured by the people that I helped not just by starting and owning a business; but how I used that business to empower other women to follow their dreams and find the niche that gives them a refuge that doesn’t look for them to be strong. When the table becomes full, build another one so other women can join. Being able to use my God-given talents as a ministry through His love, care, and journeyed steps that He has ordered for me are markers that I continue to use and strive for. The credit for Sipnics In The City goes to God. I give Him the highest praise and credit, not only for my company but also for nursing. These talents that I possess are gifts that God has given me as a vessel to His work.

When I thought about starting a picnic company, my family, fiancé, friends were on board for it. They listened to me, supported me, and reassured, and affirmed me. Thank you to my fiance, Victor Anah, for always supporting me, loving me, and even decorating and arranging flowers for me! I love you for always helping me and being the muscle when I need you!

Pricing:

• Sipnic experience begins at $285
• Luxury Sipnic experience begins at $375
• Proposal sipnic experience begins at $675

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4042341821
• Email: sipnicsinthecity@gmail.com
• Website: sipnicsinthecity.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipnicsinthecity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipnicsinthecity
• Other: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/sipnics_in_the_city_161013/cf_id/5f3d60bb90f9ed2558a1a5a1

Image Credit:
Brandon Green
Joshua Talley

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