Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Haynes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My parents always told me to find a job you love and you won’t have to work a day in your life. Totally cliche, I know, but I am so happy to have found just that. I am an owner of two Pure Barre studios (Pure Barre Alpharetta & Roswell) in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, GA and can confidently say I am beyond blessed to have my dream job. However, I needed something to fulfill my creative side and my love for fashion. I had always wanted to start a blog, even one point started the beginning stages of it, but as one may know life gets busy and your mind can talk you out of a lot of things, so it slowly dissolved. It was not until having my son, Henry, that my husband, William, pushed me to pursue my passion and finally start a fashion and lifestyle blog called, Ruffled with Grace. Ruffled with Grace is primarily fashion, with a small emphasis on mommy + baby and lifestyle and was founded in December 2017. It has been so neat to see my audience grow and interact with amazing people from different areas or maybe different countries. I am so incredibly blessed for every person that follows along with my journey and engages in my sweet families life. My goal is to continue feeding happiness in forms of pretty clothes or accessories, yummy recipes and life inspirations, travel hacks, sale alerts, or sweet baby clothing. Whatever it may be, I hope Ruffled with Grace touches your heart somehow or someway. At the end of the day, pictures are pretty, food is yummy, and clothes are fun, but nothing is better than one’s smile and happiness and I hope Ruffled with Grace can be that bright light for you.
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?
Smooth road?! It is funny you mention this, the answer is honestly no. Blogging, no matter what you’re blogging about it hard work. It is a job that should be taken very seriously! Once again, pictures are pretty and clothes/products are super fun but each post is thought out and planned in such a way that it can be hours spent on just one post. Would I change it, no, because I want to ensure I am delivering genuine and well-produced content for every single of one my readers. This is a process that I do not want to be rushed with and owning two businesses, being a mom, and a wife, it can be challenging at times. However, once again I want to ensure with any company I work with, that our styles are similar and I genuinely believe in and love the product. In all seriousness, with all the hard work that goes into it, there are so many rewards you gain from it. Put working with companies aside, I have met some amazing new friends and engaged with so many people that I would not have met or talked to otherwise. I am a firm believer in loving people and that it is one our main jobs in life is to shine light on others and this process has been nothing but short of amazing in the sense of community. If you are contemplating starting a blog, just do it and do not talk yourself out of it. Just walk in knowing it will be a lot of work upfront, but you will continue to learn and grow and meet some pretty amazing people along the way!
We’d love to hear more about Fashion Blogger- Ruffled with Grace.
As a fashion blogger, multi-unit business owner, wife, and mom, it has been a learning curve trying to fit everything in. I always tell my husband, I wish there was more time in the day. If you find the answer, let me know 🙂 My typical work week consists of Pure Barre and Henry during the day, but I designate nap time to focus on the blog. This can ring from writing blog posts, talking to brands, planning ahead for my posts/material I may need, and surfing the web to ensure what sales are going on. On the weekends, my husband or should I say, my personal photographer (he is actually becoming quite good ;)) will take my pictures for the upcoming week. Sometimes, I have the luxury to work with some local photographers during the week and get ahead, but for the most part, we shoot on the weekends. Again, in doing so, a lot needs to be planned ahead and a lot of research goes into products and stuff I will feature to ensure I am giving my audience the best information and deals possible. Once again, every brand I represent I fully support 110% and is authentically and genuinely my style. I think that is so fun in seeing and supporting other bloggers is we all have different styles, but we are all trying to help others who may have similar tastes try to find the best stuff for them!
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I give all my credit to God and have a firm relationship with Him. I grew up with a younger sister who suffered severe medical issues her entire childhood life and I experienced the heartbreak and miracles associated with it. I am a firm believer in faith and power of prayer and credit my drive in life to having that firm relationship. I also just recently read a book called: Present over Perfect and it talks about living in the present moment and not living in the past or future. I did not realize I was so guilty of this and try to live intentionally in each day experiencing life beautiful moments that would have otherwise passed me by!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ruffledwithgrace.com
- Email: ruffledwithgrace@gmail.com
- Instagram: ruffledwithgrace
Image Credit:
Lauren Folk with Folk House Creative
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
