Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Brown.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been adventurous, creative, and outgoing. This manifested in a lot of ways and as I got older, I realized that I was never going to be the person who only did one thing. In my teens and early 20s I was a rapper and making music was my passion. After having my first son, I stopped pursuing my music career and tried my hardest to find something more stable. I worked a couple of jobs and decided to go back to school but I was bored and uninspired. In 2018, I started a cookie business that blew up and changed my life. After a pandemic, having two more kids (twins), and burnout I decided to close my online bakery in 2024.
Although I’ve always loved to bake, baking cookies wasn’t what inspired me to get up every morning and pull 12 hour shifts the kitchen. It was my freedom to create, inspire, and story tell. I loved the process of coming up with new flavors, creating story boards, pitching the cookies online, and working the algorithm strategically. No matter what lane I’ve swerved into, one thing always remains the same. I know how to grow a brand.
A couple of years before I officially closed my business, I started a new brand called Ash Unlimited. The goal was to help other businesses, influencers, and creators grow their brand online and offline. I really wanted to share my knowledge about building community and businesses in an authentic way. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that no one cared to hear me nerd out on marketing tips, the psychology behind color choices in logos, and why their engagement might be low.
I decided to pivot Ash Unlimited into a more vulnerable space where I documented myself exploring, going on solo dates, and discovering hidden gems in my city. It wasn’t long before that page blew up and I became known as the hidden gem finder. My goal was to inspire people to get outside more and look around. Even before the pandemic in 2020, most people in my city would always complain and say, “There’s nothing to do here.”
As a small business owner, I knew that this wasn’t true. The real issue was a lack of exposure and awareness. Just from doing a little research, I discovered so many amazing coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, hiking trails, and service providers. After highlight these “hidden gems” the videos would go viral, and those stores would see an overnight increase in people walking through their doors. It was a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of, but my secret was still hidden. Those videos didn’t go viral on accident. I used my ability to story tell, create, and build a strategy to align those businesses with their target audience.
My hidden gem series became something that I took with me everywhere. Rather in my local area or on vacation, I was always looking for something new to highlight. As an adventurous person, this is something that has always felt organic for me because I’m not doing it for content, I’m simply highlighting and partnering with brands that I would have enjoyed off camera anyway.
However, the desire to build more continued to call me. At the end of 2025, I made a decision to relaunch Ash Unlimited again as a consultant and creative strategist. What’s the difference this time? I’m not just an artist or business owner who has only expanded her own brands. I now know that I have helped build many others. In 2022, I struggled with imposter syndrome, and I think that played a big role in my confidence to move forward into the roll that I am in now. The few years that I’ve spent as an influencer and working with businesses behind the scenes taught me a lot about myself and the industry. To be able to understand influencer marketing, brand building, and digital marketing as a whole from two different perspectives has been an amazing experience and I’m grateful for that.
In 2026, I officially announced Ash Unlimited back into the community as a help mate. There are so many public figures, businesses, and brands struggling with their online identity and I have a true passion for making that come to life. There are so many amazing people, products, and spaces out there that are simply lacking a voice. To bring those visions to life and inspire others to join those communities is what drives me. In a world that wants to make everything so black and white, I enjoy bringing the color back. Rather that’s living out loud as myself or working behind the scenes for someone else. I truly believe that the possibilities are endless, and you just need the right vessel to get you where you want to go.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely, becoming an influencer/creative for my community was very challenging. There are a lot of problems with the structure behind influencer marketing, paid partnerships, brand deals, organic content, and compensation from social media platforms. Because of the nature of how influencing started on social media, it can be hard to figure out how to get paid doing it.
On another note, a lot of small businesses do not feel comfortable investing into influencer marketing or social media in general but are no longer seeing the same ROI they used to from paying traditional marketing outlets like radio, or news. Finding a way to navigate this space was definitely a learning curve and it’s something I now use to help other brands and creatives.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ash Unlimited is a creative hub for creatives, entrepreneurs, and brands (big or small) who are looking to authentically grow their online identity and build a community of people who are truly inspired to invest their time and energy into what services, ideas, or products you offer.
I am currently offering creative coaching, brand strategy, and content strategy services. Rather you’re a fortune 500 or a non-profit, I can help you with digital storytelling, content, media, and community-based projects.
What sets me apart from others is that my goal is to build organic and authentic growth that inspires people to get up and take action. Rather that’s walking through the doors of your store front or adding a product to a cart online. I understand the importance of seeing real growth – not just more likes and views. Storytelling and creative strategy is at the heart of this change.
My ability to say no to opportunities that don’t align with me or someone I am representing has been something I am very proud of. I truly believe there is a way to build exposure around something in an honest and genuine way. Many people say they don’t like being sold to, but what they are really saying is, they don’t like being lied to. In my opinion, being honest with the community that you expect to continue to nurture your dream is what creates longevity.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned has been to give myself permission to take up space. Being stuck in analysis paralysis about something that could truly change the world has always been a struggle for me. Too much time spent on taking the jump has been a pattern I’ve noticed in my life as a creative. Too many times, I have waited on someone to give me permission to try when all I needed to do was execute.
No one knows what you are capable of doing until you make it happen. So instead of waiting on that network to accept your movie pitch or that company to hire you for a position you’re overqualified for – create your own lane and show them why they need a seat at YOUR table.
To anyone who is reading this who is currently suffering from imposter syndrome, please know that you are your wildest dream and you were born qualified for whatever it is you want to do.
For me? That’s living a life of abundance while expressing myself authentically as a creative and black women who has a desire to help others do the same. I truly believe that kind of freedom has been the most liberating thing that I’ve experienced thus far. We all deserve to feel free enough to be ourselves and vulnerable enough to create authentically and know that we can be compensated for it if we desire to.
Pricing:
- Brand Clarity Call – $197 +
- 14 Day Visibility Blueprint – $750 +
- 30 Day Brand Reset & Social Media Growth Sprint – $2300 +
- Hidden Gem Finder TV episode – $450 +
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamashunlimited.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashunlimited
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/hiddengemfindertv
