Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Montford.
Hi Ashleigh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I can hear my late grandmother’s joyful laugh now as I tell her that “I finally did it!” I did the thing that I wanted to do and now I have a corporation under my belt. Interestingly enough, making it to 28 was like, “Wow, I really made it this far,” and now that I’m here in 2022 and living the best way I know how – there’s nothing left to it but to do it,
Starting my corporation, Black Woman Made, Corporation was not an easy feat but I know that I was made with strength intertwined within my melanin. There’s a gap in my community. A gap where women of color have no place, no dwelling to congregate and just be. I cannot tell you the last time I heard of a community of Black women coming together in Savannah where they could let their hair down and take their capes off.
There has not been a place where we could come to bounce ideas off of one another, encourage our sisters, find resources, and get replenished upon the very things we lacked. Seeing this disparity in the community, the idea came to me – Black Woman Made, Corporation!
The Black Woman Made, Corporation is an original product stemming from the craving to create a dynamic umbrella company that houses various businesses in differing industries by Black women. It’s a hub for people from all walks of life to come and celebrate the Black woman’s careers, technologies, entrepreneurial goals, and aspirations, as well as dominance and creativity above all else.
For centuries, Black women have made something out of nothing, and this corporation dares to showcase the potent richness of the most intriguing intellectual minds.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Some of the struggles that I have had to endure would be financing options, being taken seriously as a young, Black female entrepreneur, and even finding support in places that I was sure would be backing me in my efforts.
It is not without great gratitude that I have encountered these obstacles, because it has made me stronger than ever and definitely allowed me to sharpen my skillsets. Venturing into investors and crowdfunding is something that I never considered before starting Black Woman Made, Corporation, and it does not stop there.
These obstacles and challenges have indubitably made me more audacious and daring – realizing that if I do not do it, no one is going to do it for me. One of the mindsets that I had to rid myself of (and quickly) is that someone is going to save me. No one and I does mean not a single soul, is going to save me. The quicker I came to this realization, the quicker my empire could begin to build.
It takes literal blood, sweat and tears, not failing to mention long days and even longer nights, proofreading and rereading, along with trials and mistakes. Building an empire is not an easy task, hell – let alone building a single business is no cakewalk, but I know that I can do this. I was built for this and that is what keeps me motivated and going.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an entrepreneur, I have two companies (so far) – The Opia Designs Company, LLC, which is a marketing firm, and Black Woman Made, Corporation, which is an American holding company that assists in producing businesses founded/run by a Black woman at least 51%.
Both companies are focused on assisting others in realizing their potential and executing plans through marketing strategies and implementation. However, Black Woman Made, Corporation focuses mainly on Black women-owned businesses and ventures.
My first business, The Opia Designs Company, LLC, is known for social media management, marketing, and graphic design. However, in my second business, Black Woman Made, Corporation, I hope is to become known as a beacon of hope in the Black community for pushing Black women-owned businesses forward with the right tools and technologies to be successful in their field.
One of my proudest moments would be when I got approval from the Secretary of State. Yeah, for sure that moment, because at that moment alone – I felt unstoppable… like nothing else in the world mattered because, in those moments, I taught myself that I can do anything, and I do mean anything, that I can set my mind to.
I believe that my passion to help others is what sets me apart from others. Not only do I want to achieve great heights, but I have a deep desire to “Pull as I climb.” One of my college mentors, Kendal “Bunji” Duff taught me that and I try my best to embody that in all that I do because someone had to pull me up, and now it’s my turn.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
This is funny because I’ve always been so peculiar. You could ask 10 different people what I was like growing up and each of them would have a different answer – they would all be correct!
My personality is different, it’s always been different. Growing up, I was quiet when you first met me, but oh baby! Once I warmed up to you, ha! I was a ball of energy, soft and delicate but rough when needed. If I may describe myself as such, I was like a ball of wound-up energy – ready to explode ideas across a canvas at any given time.
I did drama club, book club, debate team, sociology club, student government, writing clubs – you name it, I did it! I loved the world and was curious about everything, so I decided to dive nose-first into it all!
A lot of times, like now, anyone could find me with my nose in a book or a magazine, swimming at the local pool, or sitting on the beach flipping through my camera. Growing up was different for me, but my parents ensured that I was given all the right tools to succeed in the business world (that’s where I get my sense of business from).
Pricing:
- Business Strategy Sessions start at $100.00
- Business Formation Assistance starts at $50.00
- Relationship Management for Resources start at $50
- Marketing Strategy Planning starts at $75.00
- Basic Consultations starts at $75.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.blackwomanmadecorp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomanmadecorp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackWomanMadeCorporation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackwomanmade
- Other: https://www.theopiadesignscompanyllc.com
Image Credits
Litus Marshall & Trinity Grimes
