Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Jocelyn.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am the product of two Haitian parents who migrated to the states to make a living for themselves. I am a sister and an aunt, so family is extremely important to me. As a child I was always curious of what the world around me was like or could provide. I believe being a dreamer has always been a pivotal character in my story line. All through out middle school and high school I was pretty athletic, so sports really gave me a sense of belonging. I would dream these astronomical dreams of being some world renowned athlete. This is how I thought I added value in the world. Being an athlete granted me the opportunity to receive a track & field scholarship at the University of Central Florida. Where I also obtained both of my Masters of Public Administration and a Masters in Nonprofit Management.
While all of this is amazing in the grand scheme of things, I still didn’t feel fulfilled. I was still kind of lost in what my purpose in life should be. I believe the turning point in my life was when my nephew was born. He truly put life into perspective for me and I think that’s where the flame inside me started to ignite.
I have always been a creative at heart. Whether or not I believed in those abilities is a different story. Tapping into my creative side allowed me to see that I am more than the labels that society placed on me. More than the labels I placed on myself. Anything my heart desires, I am capable of achieving, I just had to put in the work, and believe that God wouldn’t put it in my heart if I was capable of fulfilling it.
I say all of this to say , once that clicked in my mind. The sky was the limit. I became a student of life. Trying to absorb as much knowledge on things that brought me joy as I could. I learned how to use photoshop and illustrator, I practiced my creative skills as much as I could, and just really was intentional with pouring into my development as a person and artist.
As of today my personal brand advocates for people being true to their authentic selves. Love, create, grow is the motto. Fast forward to today, I am a children’s book author. Fly Kyd loves samples is a book I wrote and illustrated to merge my love for music and provided an opportunity for families to create bonds by sharing and enjoying the artistry of music. I am also a coloring book author and illustrator. Art and Beats is also a way to showcase my love for art, music, and positive self talk through everyday mediums like music.
My favorite quote is by the late Maya Angelou… “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote is truly something that I try to live by and it’s been the focal point of how I show up and impact those around me.
Alright, 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?
The road was far from smooth. Every circumstances that I’ve been blessed to go through, I was able to grow through. There has been days that were really dark for me. Days when I wanted to give up on myself, where I had no sense of direction or purpose. But as I reflect more, I truly think I needed those days, in order for me to really value the days that were filled with light, the days I felt as if I could conquer anything, when I knew I was in the spaces that were divinely created for me and me only. So no, the roads weren’t smooth (by any means) to get to where I am today but it made the journey to who I am destined to be that much more fulfilling. Lessons never losses.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Labels are something I truly have to work on when describing myself but believe I am a creator to put it in simplest terms. A creator of digital art, children books, content, storytelling, etc. As mentioned before, I’ve written and illustrated my own children’s book that can be found on Amazon. I’ve illustrated a coloring book that all ages can enjoy and just be where their feet are. I manage social media pages for a couple of business. All while working an actual big girl job. I think humans in general are multifaceted entities that society tries to continuously mold and tell to niche down. I do a lot of things and I love being stretched to learn and grow in all of those things. So the best word I would use to describe myself is a creator. I love to journey I am able to take from ideation to execution. From a dream to something tangible. I am most proud of my willingness to do it scared. There are so many times I could have talked myself out of pursuing something due to the fear of the unknown but I took the chance and believed in myself and did it scared. I also think representation matters. While my nephews and niece are young and may not understand now but I want to be an image for them that there is hope in the world. That they can do anything they put their minds to as long as they believe in themselves and put the work in. I think that is what sets me apart from others… I am really in competition with no one else but me. If I don’t put out something or create something I said I would, it because I was being an enemy of my progress. If I can impress myself then I think I’ve don’t a great job. I also don’t put pressure behind my creations. Who ever gravitates to it… will. Which allows me the freedom to fail and learn.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My taglines “stay fly” and “bloom with me” stemmed from me trying my best to instill healthy habits of positive self talk. Stay fly is an acronym to Fearlessly Love Yourself. I think self love is truly the catalyst to being an impact to those around you. It’s contagious. This was my reminder to check in with myself and pour into me so that I am able to pour back into those around me. Bloom with me is also a reminder to myself that I need people. I tend to isolate myself from the masses using the mask that I’m an introvert, but a garden is truly beautiful when there are multiple flowers in bloom. I can’t do life completely on my own so the bloom with me helps me recenter and focus on the idea that this is bigger than me. Another quote that really hits home for me is that “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I think it’s something beautiful when you are able to grow alongside your community. I believe my art speaks to that exact notion.
Pricing:
- Fly Kyd Loves Samples: https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Loves-Samples-Ashley-Jocelyn/dp/B0CF4FLWMR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ENW8G5859YQJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S5kieZzMI6wJ2h0sEZ069Q.uinuTSP3Jh0pXALG0vfC89sxmYoyLGDqsmKGkcHwQJ8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fly+Kyd+loves+samples&qid=1730844312&sprefix=fly+kyd+loves+samples+%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1
- Arts and Beats the Fly Coloring Book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Beats-fly-coloring-book/dp/B0D9YVZ85J/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/136-7389173-9788157?pd_rd_w=DErTz&content-id=amzn1.sym.04064661-569a-4d64-8aef-6cc4eefc1253&pf_rd_p=04064661-569a-4d64-8aef-6cc4eefc1253&pf_rd_r=YVFX3JGC4MHZWQF3WA7G&pd_rd_wg=UE3eF&pd_rd_r=f5d01e95-c441-4107-8b46-fca58fe0a683&pd_rd_i=B0D9YVZ85J&psc=1
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/stayfly
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloombabeseries?igsh=MWlxcjk5Mmo3NGJmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjocelyn?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bloombabeseries?si=4sJdt3IARB0Y4id3
Image Credits
I took these pictures.
