Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Lilly.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
If anyone knows the secrets to strive forward, breaking new ground and succeeding despite challenges, it would be African-American women. And that is exactly who I am and who I was raised and surrounded by. Growing up with a single mother who worked for everything, I learned how to be genuine, tactical, passionate, and extremely resourceful. My mother and my brother always found ways to not only make sure I was provided with everything but to make sure our family was happy. Whether it was working three jobs, late shifts, being involved in school, extracurricular activities, or driving hours to get to my competitions, watching this as a young woman shaped me to be the person I am today. I knew I loved always being hands-on with any project that was put in front of me and offering my passion for art, cooking, and building something from the ground up is exactly who I am.
Now, as a leading lady on the digital side of marketing, I believe in the power of giving back to inspire a new generation of creators and entrepreneurs. Being able to create my business platforms and creative outlets has been the most exciting part of my journey but I’m not done yet. “Creating your history is about leaving a mark, creating a blueprint for others to eventually find and follow, to let them know this is where it started and hopefully, this is where you can take it.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road but I come from humble beginnings. On the journey to success, there will be detours, distractions, disappointments, and delights, but the reality is… comfortable people don’t grow and taking the time to embrace diversity is what I did. Like most of us, we have all had our fair share of moments where we can’t seem to find our passion or think our abilities are never good enough but once I realized I couldn’t dwell on things, I can’t control that’s when the best out of came through.
To do things that you love, there’s a lot of sacrifices that come with that. The time and dedication that you put into your career and craft is something that I don’t necessarily apologize for. I have an amazing family and people who are around me, constantly pushing me forward, to be better, and to see things I have a tough time seeing in myself. You might get a no, a client doesn’t approve your work, you thought you would get paid more but one of the sayings that have always stuck with me is, “Understanding struggle builds character and the pain that you endure today produces a new strength that you can enjoy tomorrow.”
Stardust 9 Media & Melanin Eats – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I consider myself a social and digital media maven who developed a passion for combing my love of media, creative design, and helping others succeed in coming together with other amazing people to create Stardust 9 Media and Melanin Eats. Stardust 9 Media, founded by Treston Mayo, is a full-service media and marketing powerhouse, specializing in the imaging of brands, growth-oriented results, and creating a foundation for endless success and visibility. As one of the co-founders and social media director of S9 Media, I take pride in my ability to conceptualize, develop, and upload creative content that stands out from our competitors. A multifaceted creator if I say so myself! Melanin Eats on the other hand, was created by myself alongside my melanin sista Mackenzie Simone. It showcases our passion for food, culture, and highlighting small and big businesses that resonate with our vision.
If you know me or reading this for the first time to get to know me (hey!), then you know that I am my brand and my business. Stardust 9 Media and Melanin Eats are apart of who I am and being able to grow a business with the help of a bada** team that adds diversity to America’s business landscape is what contributes to the legacy of black entrepreneurship. I’m not a character. I’m just authentically myself. And I tell people to do the same thing, which is what sets me apart.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being authentic, having great relationships, and knowing your worth are three things that I live by and feel is most important to my success and your success. When people feel empowered, they find success and By investing in yourself, the people around you, building relationships, and knowing how to provide them with opportunities to reach new goals, you will benefit. Nobody wins alone and I am blessed to have learned that early on in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stardustnine.com/
- Phone: 3056075663
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyylillyy/, https://www.instagram.com/s9media/
https://www.instagram.com/melanineats/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.lilly.14
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyylillyy
Image Credit:
@s9media, @mbitionsvoys, @photoxsteph, @richeblac, @tay_dakilla
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