Life & Work with Ashley Rouse of Marietta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rouse

Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been an entrepreneur as long as I can remember, and a creative since I was born. I went to culinary school in Charlotte, NC and worked in the food industry for over 18 years. During that time, I built many creative ventures. My largest to date has been Trade Street Jam Co.–a vegan, low sugar jam company reaching over a million dollars in revenue since its inception.

But like many entrepreneurs, I reached a level of burnout in 2023 that I hadn’t yet seen before. Severe anxiety, stress and depression led to me being forced to lean in to my word for the year: Rest. And also like many entrepreneurs, I found resting nearly impossible. I leaned into my faith and creativity and was led to open rouse like house: A creative house specializing in interior decor, small business branding, marketing & mentorship, private cooking classes and more.

rouse like house is my most empowering mission to date. I’m able to give back to the community — especially the black and brown, woman-owned business community — the knowledge that I’ve gained through a decade of tumultuous times and great feats as the CEO of a CPG brand. From finding a manufacturer, to creating the right packaging, to shining on social media and raising capital to grow your brand, I’m able to mentor business owners and help set them on a path towards generational wealth and self-fulfilment. I’m also able to dive into my creativity and help design a person’s most valued space: Their home. I’ve designed homes both virtually and in-person, and most recently created a gym and wellness space for a Cleveland Cavaliers player. And of course, food will always be at the center of who I am, so I also offer private jam classes, where craft cocktails and complex desserts become something otherworldly.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
2023 was the hardest year of my life. I was faced with such severe burnout that there were days when I couldn’t get off the couch, only barely surfacing when my children came home to make them dinner and put them to bed. I struggled to show up for them and for my husband, and most importantly for myself. Yet, as God always does, he redirected my pain into something useful. I had lost my sense of creativity, focusing on finances, capital raises, investor relations and sustaining a business, and he led me to a new venture that allows me to use my creativity in a productive and fulfilling way.

I’ve also struggled over the years with being a woman in culinary and a black woman in the business world. We don’t have the same access to capital or resources, and we’re often looked down upon as incompetent. I’ve fought to re-teach myself confidence, create and honor boundaries, and to rest in order to maintain my mental, physical and emotional health.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in design. Interior design has been a passion for years, and being able to turn it into a business has been most fulfilling. I also do graphic design and help businesses with marketing, social media templates, brand packaging and so much more. What best sets me apart is not only my innate skills that come naturally and have been nurtured over the years, but also my two decades of knowledge in business and entrepreneurship. I’m most proud of my tenacity and my ability to pivot in business–an invaluable skill that has been developed over time. I’m also very proud of a recent interior design project for an NBA player that my team and I blew out of the water!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband has been one of my strongest supporters throughout my entrepreneurship journey and for over 18 years now. He knows me better than I know myself, and has helped me navigate what felt like were unbearable times as a CEO. My mother is also my biggest cheerleader, and has always made it a point to support my ventures in any way that she can. They’ve both spent hundreds of hours tirelessly working in and on the business. Together, they’ve taught me how invaluable family is and how necessary it is to prioritize them because, at the end of the day, they are what you are left with.

Pricing:

• $50/30 min. design consultation

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rouselikehouse.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rlhcreativehouse