Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Clark.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a child, I loved numbers and money. I can remember being thrilled when my Dad came home with a roll of dimes just for me. I was also an enthusiastic collector of state quarters as they were released. In a tenth-grade economics class, I discovered a love for Finance. I became enamored with studying the origins & exchange of money.
I know that educating others about finances is one of the reasons I’m on Earth. I also know that I have a special knack for teaching children currency basics. As I work with children, I am often amazed at how eager they are to learn. My students & I have fun which makes the job even more satisfying. When I operate as a financial teacher, it’s as if life keeps affording me the awesome feeling of being that happy little girl who just received a roll of dimes from her father.
As of today, Sense 2 Cents offer classes, flashcards and activity books. The brand has grown a lot over the last ten months we have shipped orders all over the U.S. and internationally. We are now taking city request to bring our fun financial literacy classes to cities all around the US. So that we can touch as many lives as possible. Due to financial literacy being something that our generation is eager to learn more about word of mouth and social media has made a huge impact.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I started the business in April of 2019. In July of 2019, I became ill and it was hard for me to run my business like I wanted to do to hospital stays and rehab. However, my family and friends were there to support me every step of the way. My ten-year-old daughter shipped orders for me. I knew that with orders coming without me being able to promote the business like I wanted to that I had to recovery and walk in my purpose that God has set out for me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I make learning about finances fun and relevant. Rather it’s at home with the flashcards or in a Sense 2 Cents class. I make sure that our products are set up to have fun with and parents can learn with their child(ren). It allows for lasting memories to be made. I am most proud of being able to empower a generation of financially educated children to break free of generational poverty.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mentor is and always will be my mother. I have fortunately witnessed her entrepreneurial spirit since birth. I’m amazed that I have the opportunity to utilize her business savvy and expertise in my own business. I account my work ethic to my father. My father has always been a hard worker and provider. My father’s grind along with my mother’s ability to see beyond the normal income sources has provided a great foundation for who I am as a businesswoman.
My sister is my go to when I have an idea or am feeling unsure. She always seems to know how to walk through the process of bringing my ideas to reality while reminding me of exactly who I am & what I’m capable of.
My husband believes I’m the best at everything and reminds me often. My daughter and my son believe that their Mama can do anything. They motivate me daily. The lessons that I started teaching my children are what lead me to share with the world.
A few years ago, my friend Jowona came to me frustrated with her finances. Helping her create a better financial position for herself and her family came naturally to me. As I helped her, I realized many of the basic financial fundamentals that many people aren’t aware of. Jowona encouraged me to help others professionally.
My best friend, Candace, and I were talking about how much people do not talk about money, although it’s a huge part of our lives. We talked about how much further we all would be if we simply talked about money. Sharing information that we have learned over the years with friends, family and our children can have a huge impact. That conversation made me realize that I needed to be the change.
Before I started the business, I was a little nervous about starting. I had a friend, Artisha send me a voice recording of a prayer for my business. Having a positive mindset and keeping my spirits lifted has helped me stay encouraged and I owe all of that too my family, friends and God.
Pricing:
- $19 Financial Literacy Flash Cards $ The flashcards are grouped in four sets, and each set contains vocabulary words that correspond to the fundamentals of financial literacy. These vibrantly colored flashcards are bright with colorful graphics that are catchy to the eye and stimulate the young mind to engage and have fun learning. Learning is much more useful for children when learning is fun, and that is the idea behind these flashcards.
- $15 EBOOK-Money Talk: Guide for Parents Teaching Teens and Young Adults about Financial Literacy.
- $15 Printable Financial Literacy Activity Book.
Contact Info:
- Website: sense2cents.org
- Email: info@sense2cents.org
- Instagram: sense2cents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sense2cents
- Other: www.calendly.com/Sense2cents
Image Credit:
Photo credits: Terrika “Queen” M.-Loctician
Stylist,Make Up and Photography for self portrait – Monica Brown
Love Cheri-Photographer of class photos
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