Today we’d like to introduce you to ASHLEE ILG
ASHLEE, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was the perfect attendance, honor roll student that followed all the rules to “be successful.” By the time I graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with my degree, I had an overfilled resume and the shiniest corporate ladder glistening in front of me – and I was ready to climb it to the top.
But it only took a couple months to realize my ladder was leaning on a building with very low ceilings. To be clear, I’ve never liked someone else determining how far I can go. I knew I had skills. I knew I had dreams. And this 9-to-5 pursuit wasn’t going to get me where I wanted to go.
Enter our first business opportunity – right on time. It was called network marketing then but today it would be called social selling. And it was exactly what my newlywed husband and I chose to learn the ropes of entrepreneurship. We took the personal growth & education piece seriously, and began to change the limiting beliefs we had held so dear for years. By our mid 20s, we knew the life of business ownership was the calling we’d pursue for our long game.
Over the next few years, we started a local golf cart dealership in the Peachtree City “Bubble” and added 5 babies to our family. To say it was a whirlwind season for us is an extreme understatement. I was forced to figure out how to be an intentional mom and still keep a pulse on our growing businesses. I clung to the purpose we were pursuing that greater than myself – especially when I just wanted a long nap.
Recently, my rocket-scientist husband and I (along with our best friends) have created a golf cart manufacturing company and are passionate about serving our growing dealer network. In addition, I am finding creative pockets of time to host a podcast and write my first book, while clinging to a dream of becoming a published author in the near future.
In all we do, we are committed to using our gifts & talents to honor our Creator and bring out the best in those around us. We truly believe that “to whom much is given, much is required.” And that fuels us to keep pushing forward and make the greatest impact possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! If any business owner tells you it’s been a smooth road – don’t believe them for a second! 😉 The journey is never easy but it’s the unexpected detours and the uncertain bumps along the way that make it so rewarding in the long run. The trials often make us slow down just long enough to to remind us why we started in the first place.
With our golf cart dealership, some of the biggest challenges (especially early on) were finding our niche in the competitive market of Peachtree City. We had to really figure out our brand, how we wanted to be perceived, and create a consistent experience for our growing customers. This comes back to hiring the right people for the right positions, creating systems that work even when we aren’t the ones doing it, and offering a quality product that people could trust with their wallets.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Big O’s Golf Carts is our family-owned golf cart dealership in Peachtree City. We believe adventure awaits on the roads less traveled – and that means golf cart paths! We sell new and used/refurbished golf carts both online and in person, as well as a large inventory of parts and accessories. In addition, our trained & certified technicians offer service and repair work for most golf cart brands. Finally, we offer golf cart rentals for those looking for a more short-time golf cart experience. Our story, sales inventory, and rental bookings can all be found at BigOsGolfCarts.com.
Voyager Electric Vehicles is our golf cart manufacturing company, which was started officially in 2022. Voyager EVs are now being sold across the country, and come in 4 distinct lithium-powered models – the Pioneer, Explorer, Rebel, and Patriot. Besides the high-performing fully-loaded golf carts themselves, the company is making an impact on the golf cart industry with their highly-favored Dealers-First Approach. All the info about Voyager EVs and becoming an authorized dealer can be found at VoyagerElectricVehicles.com.
Finally, I have recently launched a personal brand company, which is found at ashleeilg.com. This is the home to our family’s podcast, “Big Ideas Podcast with Ashlee Ilg,” our annual event “Kids Business Day,” and my writing & speaking business. This could easily be labeled as my passion project with lots of late-night dreams and hustle in the works.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ashleeilg.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleeilg
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ashlee-fiser-ilg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BigIdeasPodcastwithAshleeIlg
- Other: https://bigosgolfcarts.com
