Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanelle Ashley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chanelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I know this is a common statement, but I’m really cut from a different cloth. I come from a family of hustlers; meaning we worked/work for everything we have. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had each-other and a ” by any means necessary” mindset. I wasn’t raised to quit, my mother is the strongest person I know. I think growing up in a low-income/ poor area played a huge factor in my hunger for more. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be, but I knew for a fact that I didn’t want to end up like most of the people I seen in my neighborhood. I wanted more.
I like to say my entrepreneurial journey started in undergrad at UNCC. I started a mentoring organization (D.IV.A.S), which basically pairs college students to young female teens facing adversity as mentees. I created what I needed as a teen. My passion for helping women has always been used as fuel to create what I saw was missing, which is how Educated Qween was born. I started Educated Qween in 2016, my last year in undergrad. I remember writing my vision in my journal as I was waiting to be interviewed for a call center job, Whew, the struggle to find a job after graduating was REAL for me.
Any who, I continued to work on my vision and remained consistent. I was never motivated by money, but by passion and impact. I stayed focused on building my brand. I didn’t want an overnight success story. I actually wanted to embrace the journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In what world?? haha. Absolutely not, but guess what? Nothing good in life comes easy. The journey is just as important as the destination. I received a lot of “no’s”. I had to get over the fear of rejection. I had to get over not seeing results immediately. It just doesn’t work like that. My biggest struggle was changing my mindset. I didn’t believe in myself. I didn’t feel like people would respond to my brand the way they do. I had to get over caring about other’s opinion. My mindset was my biggest downfall. It lead to procrastination, poor decisions, and so much more.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Educated Qween story. Tell us more about the business.
Educated Qween is now an online powerhouse for black female entrepreneurs with an audience of about 6k and steadily growing. It’s a lifestyle brand. It’s like a playground for female entrepreneurs. You can get tips to build your brand, connect with like-minded women, and purchase merchandise to encourage you on your journey all in the same place.
I want to focus on creating a community specifically for women like me. Soon, Educated Qween will be an online membership filled with courses, worksheets, tools, and resources to help women dominate their distinctive paths and brands.
I have so many plans for Educated Qween! It has also opened many doors for me! I’ve recently launched my personal coaching sessions. I am a branding expert that equips new business owners with clarity and strategy to build a timeless brand. I teach my clients how to build their online presence, create content, leverage social media, and so much more. This just an extension of Educated Qween that allows me to personally connect with women from my tribe, which I LOVE! Making an income while making an impact!
Needless to say, this is just the beginning.
I also just released my first E-book for Educated Qween; The Ultimate Engagement Guide To Instagram.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe in good and bad luck. I do believe that if you work hard and stay consistent that good things will come to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.educatedqween.com
- Email: educatedqween@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatedqween/ | @chanelleashley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatedqween
- Other: https://chanelleashley.as.me/
Image Credit:
@illgenic
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