Let’s be Mom Besties.

Hi, I am Ashley. Living in the burbs of Atlanta, my husband and I had 3 boys in 3 years and I decided to start a business in the middle of a pandemic. Yep. Crazy right?! Here’s my story below!

Growing up in Atlanta, I always knew I would want to come back here and raise a family. Right after high school, I moved to Auburn, AL where I attended Auburn University. It did not take long before I met my now husband. We met through a mutual friend and I was still seeing my high school sweetheart at the time. His exact words to our mutual friend was ” I am going to break them up”. Ha. Well funny thing is… he did! I played a little hard to get for a while (had to make sure it wasn’t too good to be true, right?) But after 4 years of dating in Auburn, he popped down on one knee to ask me to be his wife. Spoiler alert- I said yes 🙂

I was all over the place when it came to my major. Not even going to sugar coat that one. But what is a girl to do when she has SO many interests. One day I wanted to do this, the next I wanted to do that. I finally settled on a business degree, but soon found my creative mind wanted to challenged. So what did I do right out of college with no business experience. I decided to open up not one but TWO fitness studios back in Atlanta. Don’t worry, I wasn’t completely solo- I just had the best business partner ever- my mom- and let me tell you she’s one incredible business woman. So it is safe to say I hit the jackpot with learning from the best.

• Life happened and we un-expectantly got pregnant, and then got pregnant again, and you catch the drift got pregnant again. Managing a 7 days a week business, teaching classes, all while learning to be a mom and then a mom of multiples was getting more difficult. My mom and I decided to pray about it. We absolutely loved our jobs, the communities we built, and to think about giving that up was heartbreaking. We came to the conclusion that we would put it in God’s hands and if we were meant to sell one day everything would fall into place.
• Well, fast forward God opened up the door to sell not one, but both studios. It was one of those moments that my heart sank. It is so bittersweet to sell your “baby”. Something you worked day in and day out on, something that defined a major part of you. To think about giving that away was truly gut wrenching. But after much thought and prayer we decided to sell and move forward with His plan- fully trusting the process.

To say it was an adjustment going from full time business owner to SAHM was an understatement. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely adore my boys, but a huge part of my heart was missing. I love loving on people and serving.

Shortly after we sold the studios, I found out I pregnant and then miscarrying. Granted we found out very early in this pregnancy because we were trying for a third, but the hurt was still the same. In a short amount of time, I went from identity crisis to miscarrying and the emotions were coming in from every angle. I went from happy to sad, relieved to angry- you get the drift.

However, it was in that moment I had a choice to give into my emotions or to GIVE them to God. It is truly amazing about His timing. In that moment, I realized and cherished the beautiful gifts that God had given me through Henry and Harrison, and that my calling of loving others in community was not by any means over.

So during that time I decided I needed a hobby. Yes, I know a hobby with two kids, that’s funny. But, no really, I think it is so important for you to find just ONE thing just for YOU. Mom or not, everyone needs a space for them to be able to able to grow and enjoy themselves. I found my hobby through embroidery. I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing, but with the help of Google and Youtube, I began to learn something new everyday. To say I ruined my fair share of things would be an understatement. If anything, this hobby taught me a good deal about patience and waiting to see the “beauty” in the final product. I started a little “side hustle” and truly enjoyed my time making things for others children. It was when I took my focus off of ME, and shifted my focus on God and others, we became pregnant with our third boy, now our sweet Hayden.

One day it came to me, that THIS was my next chapter. Combining everything I knew, loved, and enjoyed to serve. One day, it ALL came together and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Sometimes when there are a million reasons to not do something, there are a million and one reasons you should. In the midst of a pandemic, the last thing I should be thinking about is starting a business. But you do not grow inside your comfort zone. You take that LEAP OF FAITH and you PUSH. Whatever dream you have, are thinking about, or maybe you have something holding you back- STOP and do it. If this past year has taught us anything it’s that time is not guaranteed; in fact nothing is guaranteed.

I decided to turn all my passions into one thing. Business, fashion, children, photography, blogging, serving, and most importantly community. Little Boy Blue got its name by being surrounded by all things BOY and all things BLUE. These three boys have completely changed my life and continue to push me to be better every single day. This company is for them. The work I do is for them. The juggling, the late nights, the early mornings, it is ALL for them. I want to show them that when you work hard and serve others, amazing things happen. That success isn’t born overnight, you have to put in your time and always give it your all. That sometimes you may not come in first, but if you give it your best-that is always a win.

Little Boy Blue is a children’s boutique for both girls and boys dressing them from the crib and beyond. Offering classic, luxury styles with the option of adding timeless embroidery. Little Boy Blue wants to be a part of all of those special life moments and grow up with you and your children!

So what are you going to see on the blog? Well, a little bit of everything because that is kinda how life goes with three kids. I am just running by the seat of my pants to be honest with you 🙂 Let’s be friends, not sweat the small stuff, and just enjoy motherhood. Sound good?! Cool. Did we just become best friends?! I sure hope so.

XO,

Ashley and the boys

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