Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Rouse.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had a passion for creating, whether in the kitchen or in business. After studying culinary arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, I spent nearly two decades working in the food industry, exploring different ventures along the way. One of my biggest successes was Trade Street Jam Co., a vegan, low-sugar jam brand that grew to over a million dollars in revenue and taught me so much about running a business from the ground up.
Like many entrepreneurs, I eventually hit a point of burnout. In 2023, I faced high levels of stress and anxiety that forced me to slow down and focus on rest—a challenge in itself—but it also gave me clarity. That clarity led to rouse like house, a creative house where I combine my love for design, food, and business mentorship. Through rouse like house, I help businesses grow by sharing what I’ve learned about branding, product development, packaging, marketing, and scaling a company. I also get to pour my creativity into designing homes, both virtually and in person, from full-room makeovers to custom wellness and gym spaces for high-profile clients.
More recently, in June 2025, I co-founded Good Old Fashioned Lovers, a community and lifestyle brand centered on cocktails. Since then, my husband and I have been teaching cocktail classes across Atlanta, creating spaces where people can connect, learn, and enjoy thoughtfully crafted drinks. Food, creativity, and building community remain at the heart of everything I do—it’s all about combining passion with purpose in ways that inspire and empower others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. In fact, I’ve had moments where I truly had to let go. I closed Trade Street Jam Co. after eight years of pouring everything into it, with the goal of building and eventually selling it. Walking away was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but continuing at the cost of my health simply wasn’t an option.
There’s a lot of pressure in entrepreneurship to “never give up,” but sometimes persistence can be harmful. By 2023, I was completely burned out—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some days I couldn’t even get off the couch, only surfacing to care for my kids and family. I realized that forcing myself to keep going wasn’t courage—it was reckless. That’s when I felt God put the word surrender on my heart. Letting go of one path didn’t mean failure; it meant creating space for healing, alignment, and new purpose.
Over the years, I’ve also navigated the challenges of being a woman in the culinary world and a Black woman entrepreneur. Access to capital, resources, and respect isn’t equal, and there were many moments I had to rebuild my confidence, set boundaries, and prioritize my mental and emotional health. Those struggles shaped me, and ultimately led me to new ventures where I can channel creativity into work that’s fulfilling, empowering, and aligned with my purpose.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder of rouse like house creative house, a full-service creative agency where I help founders and small business owners show up boldly through branding, design, and smart business systems. Most recently, I co-founded Good Old Fashioned Lovers under the RLH umbrella with my husband, a beverage and lifestyle brand that celebrates community, culture, and craft. One of our biggest priorities is sharing that experience through our cocktail classes in East Cobb, where we teach attendees how to craft beautiful, elevated drinks while learning about flavor, technique, and presentation. Our goal is to create an environment that’s welcoming, educational, and fun, helping people connect over creativity and cocktails.
I also specialize in interior and graphic design, helping clients bring their vision to life through interiors, brand packaging, marketing, and social media. What sets me apart is the combination of innate creative skill and nearly two decades of entrepreneurial experience, which allows me to guide clients through the business side of creativity as well as the visual side. I’m most proud of my ability to pivot and adapt in business, as well as standout projects like designing a home wellness and gym space for an NBA player. At the heart of everything I do is the belief that success is best when it’s fulfilling, faith-driven, and creative, and I’m excited to share that philosophy through both rouse like house and Good Old Fashioned Lovers.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For me, building community has always been key—both online and in real life. Social media is a great starting point: share your story honestly, show your process, and be transparent about your journey. Engage authentically by responding to DMs, commenting thoughtfully on posts from people you admire, and don’t be afraid to reach out directly to ask questions or learn from their experience.
At the same time, nothing replaces in-person connections. Attending community or networking events might not always be my favorite thing (lol), but it’s incredibly valuable for building meaningful relationships. The combination of showing up consistently online and in real life has been the most effective way for me to find mentors, grow my network, and create opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rouselikehouse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodoldfashionedlovers/ and https://www.instagram.com/rouselikehouseinc/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymarierouse/
