Conversations with Ashanti Muhammad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanti Muhammad.

Hi Ashanti, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before I became a mom January 28th, 2024, I was a full-time small business owner managing an Airbnb Cleaning Service. Post-covid I seen an opportunity in the market and decided to capitalize on it. Within 45-60 days I was averaging $5,000.00 month, managing over 20 properties, with an arsenal of 5 cleaners in rotation. I was actively pursuing new clientele, and scouting / onboarding new cleaners – the market was booming, and demand was through the roof! I spearheaded every department from HR and Onboarding, Tax Preparation and Payroll, to Marketing and Communications. Truly, there was nothing I couldn’t do – or wasn’t already ahead of. After becoming a mom, I jumped into the world of digital marketing and e-commerce. As a parent – now single parent, I strongly believe in continuously expanding my education, building a network, and becoming a walking resource to those in need. 7 months after becoming certified I landed my first role as a Marketing Assistant for Story’s Vip Campers based in Manchester, TN. Story’s is a family-owned camper rental business that walks in faith and holds their community together. As an advocate in my own community, I appreciated and resonated with their mission and wanted to bring their message to life. I created and managed their business website, developed marketing materials for social media campaigns, and prepared flyers for their events, amongst an array of other tasks. During my journey as their marketing assistant, I was fighting unseen battles and working to overcome my own struggles. As a survivor of domestic violence: physical and mental, it’s unfair how the pain can strip your soul, your purpose, and your sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, I fell in between the cracks for a few months, lost my sense of direction, and couldn’t figure out which way to turn. So, I started sharing my experiences online. Not for profit, but for connection. I once advocated for the hustle and grind, always on the go, never truly taking a moment to appreciate my success and how far I had come. I allowed time to become the enemy, and it was a constant push and pull battle. My mission is to support working families, and single moms in Houston with planning, developing, and executing their business and platform goals. I have a small organization called “Adopt-A-Family that works to give back to residents in Harris County by providing grocery, clothing, education, and shelter resources. On the flip side, I am in the process of creating my own version of AI by bridging the gap between AI and human empathy. This platform will work to support creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners that generates content like an LLM tool but reinforces the necessity – and the respect of human intelligence. This software will be an ongoing Marketing Assistant that supports the collective and turns back the clock of time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Have you ever seen a smooth road?
Usually, the roads that are smooth are the ones that are less travelled or newly paved. They hold seldom experiences. They haven’t felt much – or been through anything. Their canvas still waiting to be shaped – molded. Given a purpose.

You can’t grow from nothing.

The road has been far too rocky, corroded, and downright chiseled. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s during the worst times of our lives where we learn the most about ourselves, our world, and the people that fill it. Throughout this journey I’ve learned to trust my discernment and be cautious of people I allow into my life both professionally and personally. I’ve learned to say no without the need for a reason or excuse. I’ve learned how to be patient with myself and others, keeping a strong awareness on “we’re all just tiny beings in the middle of nowhere trying to do our best.”

My biggest challenge has been my expectations. You cannot expect people to show up for you, your business, or your passions the same way that you do. You cannot expect circumstances or life, to play out a certain way because “it’s fair, or the right thing to do.”

Rejection is just redirection.
When one door closes, that doesn’t mean the others weren’t already open.

My biggest struggles have been:
1. Self-love and setting firm boundaries: Being a people-pleaser was self-sabotaged. I knew there was a problem when I would rather hurt myself / make myself uncomfortable for others comfort. You cannot expect to get anywhere in life without putting yourself first. How do you function without you? Who is going to love you if you don’t love you? Self-love is like marketing. No one is going to buy into your product or your brand if you don’t first believe in it/ see its potential.

2. Living with ADHD: I’m not one for labels but sometimes, labels are necessary. Not to put yourself into a box, but to have a more educated / informed opinion and/or response. I’ve experienced executive dysfunction, rejection sensitive dysfunction, time blindness, time management issues, and becoming overly stimulated / excited with a new innovative business idea/ proposition that leads to a premature crash-out.

3. Not living in my truth: Much of my journey has been stifled simply because I was trying to be someone other people would approve. (people – pleasing). I stopped writing because I was afraid my words wouldn’t matter, or my style of verbal expression would be too much to consume. I listened to feedback from people who didn’t have an imagination as broad as mine or lacked the same mindset to appreciate my most ambitious thoughts. Their beliefs were limited, and I allowed them to minimize me.

4. Loving the wrong person: I fell in love with someone who seen me as competition. My success is inevitable but instead of joining me, they made it their mission to humble me. The endless debauchery of chasing and running, I should’ve stopped chasing something that didn’t want to stay. Instead of focusing on my purpose, my image became flooded with theirs. From the age of 18 to 28 I was stuck in a loop. There were lessons I had to learn before moving forward, but I was stubborn and wanted what I wanted. Love can take you from your path, your mission, your purpose. I can’t tell you how important it is to surround yourself with like-minded people who are going where you’re going or have already been there.

The road to success isn’t about the number of hours you clock in or how well the person next to you is doing. It’s about you, your mindset, and your paradigm. If you believe you’re a victim to circumstances, then the Universe will serve more of that on a silver platter. What happens in the spiritual manifests into the physical. Everything I wanted started coming into fruition when I aligned my energy with my desires.

I don’t want success because I am success.
I don’t need love because I am love.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a small organization that services working families in Harris County called Adopt-A-Family. We connect families with grocery, clothing, shelter, and educational resources. I have a certificate in Digital Marketing and e-commerce, and I work with small businesses helping them to develop their brand and marketing strategies, website development, and ongoing mental and emotional support to aid in their success as a business – and a person. Currently I am in school for Real Estate Management on the path of receiving my sales agent license. My mission is to educate low-income families on becoming financially savvy and proactive in preparation of becoming a homeowner. It’s my goal to buy. flip and sell houses – creating a true and genuine affordable housing program. I am in the process of developing a non-profit academy that bridges the gap between traditional brick-and-mortar education and essential life skills to underserved youth. Lastly, I will be enrolling in a doula certification course through the International Doula Institute. I am most proud of myself for always getting through life despite the circumstances I’ve faced. I have high integrity and a deep appreciation / awareness of life, karma, and staying grounded. You are the architect of your own reality, and your words shape your future. I’ve found it most difficult staying locked into one profession as my skills and passions are robust, but all circle back to being a walking resource – a humanitarian. What set’s me apart from others is realizing I am a part of a collective conscience – an awareness many are oblivious too. My actions directly/indirectly influences my life, and that of others in the collective. This is why I advocate for mental health and spiritual awareness. I don’t believe in the hustle culture. Your success isn’t defined by your professional output, but how you use your skills and talent to better the lives of others around you.

What’s next?
I am looking forward to changing the world by changing myself first. My son is my greatest investment. I am teaching him to walk in his truth so that he can be a walking influence/ resource to his peers. Currently I am working on creating my own version of an LLM that bridges the gap between AI and human synthesis to assist creators and entrepreneurs with developing their social presence and building their loyal community. Enrollment into this AI platform will take 5 minutes or less to complete and will provide my clients with a week’s worth of content completely tailored to their business without excessive modifications. Content can be created as often or a little as preferred and can be my clients main or supplemental resource. This program will use the intelligence and ingenuity of AI and strengthen its results by involving human experiences and emotions in the design process. As an aspiring Real Estate Agent, I am eagerly looking to connect with other agents, lenders, brokers, and professionals in the real estate industry. Having prior experience with running an Airbnb cleaning service, my future plans are to revamp my brand and provide as a bundled service.

If anyone is interested in connecting, developing their business plans, and creating mutually beneficial relationships – I am here!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7EbpJurk/9OVeJjg-L7TT2lZkAmN7Uw/view?utm_content=DAG7EbpJurk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd5d94dad86
• Instagram: @in.the.am_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaliyah.muhammad.37/ ( Ashanti Aaliyah )
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashanti-muhammad-6410a6315