dreams,

When you think of dreams, what do you think of? For some, the first thing that comes to mind might be the movie that plays in your head while you sleep. You know, the one that doesn't make complete sense and may or may not follow a storyline. Others may think of aspirations, which by definition is a hope or ambition to achieve something. Today, we’ll be talking about what it means to follow your dreams and aspirations(see what I did there). As someone who dreams, I cannot write this and say that it’s easy to chase your dreams. We live in a time where everyone is trying to force their own ideologies on others and I really sit here and wonder why? It’s not everyone’s dream to be their own boss. There is nothing wrong with getting a steady paycheck and some benefits on the side. In that same breathe, there is also nothing wrong with being an entrepreneur and starting your own business. Everyone is different and should do what will make them happy in the end. Now that we’ve discussed chasing a dream, let’s add fashion to it. There are many people out there whose dream it is to start a clothing line or maybe a fashion boutique, and today I want to highlight a brand called Ash Apparel(@ashapparel.co on IG). Ash Apparel is a black owned women’s fashion business based in the Toronto, CA area and is owned by Asha J. (@ladyash___ on IG). When Ash Apparel dropped I remember seeing one of their knit sweaters that I thought was so dope and reached out to Asha to purchase. I didn’t realize it was a women’s brand but also didn’t care and still purchased said sweater. After sometime, I had the opportunity to get to know the person behind the brand and what better way to start off our month than with a spotlight for a black owned business. So, who is Asha? She is an outgoing and fun loving person who loves the expression of fashion. Asha has had this dream for a while and actually tried to start two previous businesses before this one stuck. First, she tried an online vintage store, and the second one was an Etsy shop selling vintage clothing for men and women. Unfortunately, it wasn't the right time yet and things did not go as planned, but as they say:“The third time’s the charm”. Asha decided to test launch on Etsy again selling women’s sweaters and would expand overtime. This seemed to be the best idea yet. Not only was she now fulfilling her dream but it also happened to revolve around her first love. When finally launching and running the women’s sweater line she attained a certain level of peace that came with it. As she describes it, “I found a sense of happiness”. Asha’s business background started when she was about 5 or 6, yrs old. She’d take things around her house and set up shop in her basement. At first, no one in her family would come and buy, but she quickly realized that she needed to sell things people needed and truly wanted. With that realization she went around again, and this time took the necessities of her family and went back down to the basement to set up shop. The “customers” came in one after the other, and in order to get their things back, they had to pay shop price. To me, this screams a natural born hustler. Asha has now been able to translate her natural business instinct and her business education into an official small business that brings her true happiness. When you do something you love, there is a different kind of happiness that comes with it. We’ve all been at that point where we hate waking up to go to a job we dislike, so why not chase our dreams? Asha isn’t only a small business owner but she is also a grad student at the University of Albany studying Librarian Information Science. Aside from all her great accomplishments, she enjoys the little things in life. Things like taking spontaneous trips to places like the Niagara Falls in the winter and spending time with her family, but she also loves information gathering and philosophy, hence why her studies suit her. As complex as a Asha is, her overall goal is to make sure that women feel great and confident in what they wear. There is no greater feeling than getting ready, putting on a great outfit, and adding that smell good to tie everything together. That alone will have you feeling like a brand new you and that’s exactly what Asha wants to invoke in the lives of those she touches; confidence and happiness in self. Now that you know the brand and the person behind the brand, it only makes sense why this is entitled “dreams,”. For anyone out there who has a passion for anything, whether its fashion or becoming an engineer, (the two aren’t mutually exclusive), chase that dream and achieve the happiness that you deserve. Will it be easy? No. Will you fail? Yes. But you get back up and strive for success because it’s what you love and is who you are. Don’t be discouraged in your short comings, but continue to get back up and live the life you desire. With love from your favorite neighborhood blogger, peace.