Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Madison.
Hi Ash, 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?
My first passion was music, I’ve been writing lyrics for as long as I can remember. But I quickly saw that the genre of music I wanted to pursue didn’t really generate any money, compared to the radio/playlist-friendly music. So I had to pivot and find a way as to where I can still contribute to the music industry even if it’s not as an act. I decided to attend the now-defunct Institute of Audio Research and got my degree in audio engineering. I felt like if I can’t make the music I can at least help make it sound great. In that, I learned how the music business, better yet the entertainment industry really operates and I began to sour on the industry as a whole.
– [ ] All the meanwhile I was working a job at my local mall and without even knowing it I would actually stumble upon what is now my career. I began working at lids for the discount of hats and came out of that learning the skill of embroidery. I spent almost six years working there and in that, I became the top embroidery man in the entire region, so much so I would travel to different cities and states and I grew a following where customers would only want to get work from me. Music was still in my heart as I would sell mixtapes at my job of new music all while bringing customers’ ideas to life. Because music and fashion go hand in hand I felt that I can leverage one to get in with the other.
– [ ] Eventually, I was let go from my job and not even 24 hours later I got hired for an embroidery company that did costumes and uniforms for local businesses and tv shows for CBS NBC and ABC. Some shows included Grey’s Anatomy, Law and Order and Shades of Blue.
– [ ] After a contract dispute I decided to take my talents to another company where we had clients that included Super Bowl 50, Rio Olympics, Coca Cola and the Final Four. In honing my craft I’m also doing side gigs with other upstart embroidery companies that have had a clientele of MTV Wild n Out and worked with ASAP Ferg on his tour jacket when he was on tour with G-Eazy.
– [ ] After a while I was considering retirement due to mental fatigue and me not breaking through even after having all of these accolades. But an opportunity came that would both challenge me and pay me the rate I deserved.
– [ ] I took on a gig as the production manager for a fashion studio that worked solely with high-end fashion, a clear breakaway from the sports, music and television gigs I was previously booked for. I was now working with the teams or Thom Browne, Alexander Wang, Coach, and Marc Jacobs to make a few. I was at the helm of the embroidery division that was going to premiere these pieces at fashion week. But I quickly realized that racial undertones and status was the catalyst for you to truly succeed in that industry. After we wrapped up fashion week, I left. It wasn’t a game I was willing to play nor was I interested. I was back to the drawing board, with music never leaving my heart I began to wonder how can I create a lane where I can be a part of the industry without having to be an artist.
– [ ] Enter radio broadcasting and podcasting. I always wanted to do radio as I was always told I have the gift of gab and I can talk anyone into a room. Through one of my clients, I managed to audition for a position on an already established show and was chosen. Eventually, budget cuts from the pandemic caused us to not be kept on the air although we were one of the highest-rated shows on the air. Simultaneously I began my own podcast. We created magic with the first podcast I started but over time it came to an end. Now with no embroidery gigs from walking away and the radio/podcast going left, I was left to ponder my next move.
– [ ] I eventually got a gig working for a gig that was a subsidiary to under armour and began to make garments for sports teams and country clubs. The pandemic also halted that and it didn’t help that a scandal broke out where the owner had Twitter fingers and Began to spew racial derogatory comments about the BLM movement and his hatred of minorities. Although I was getting paid the most I’ve ever seen I decided to not go back to work because my spirit wouldn’t sit right knowing I chose money over my morals.
– [ ] Now I’m at a fork of the road. Do I find another job or do I bet on myself to start my own embroidery company? I had enough experience and notable credits that if I started my business people can see my work and feel comfortable that they are in good hands.
Enter studio 24/ Rebirth of podcasting. I hit a wall in the pandemic (we all did lol) I hit depression with my romantic relationship ended in infidelity, all the while I had a falling out with my entire family (excluding my parents) my spirit was low, confidence was shot and it was so bad I even contemplated suicide. I reached my boiling point and began to express myself and a cast of friends and extended family came and gave me the push I needed to focus on the current. Pour into the skills and create the life I deserve. So I began my embroidery business and inspired by the last dance documentary I released a fax style memo on my IG page and my business took off. I didn’t know so many people would remember or at least support me as I was retired and didn’t make any insinuating comments of returning. All the while I reached out to a friend of mine while I was talking about my headspace and he pulled me aside and challenged me to start podcasting again. He was willing to be my co-host. I was weary as I didn’t feel confident to get back to it. But he kept bringing it up and I was like I have nothing to lose. We began where I left off.. a music-based podcast as I was fortunate to have been allotted the opportunity to travel with an artist who would let me be in the rooms, others could only dream of. Rubbing shoulders and shaking hands with a who’s who when it comes to celebrities and influencers. But due to a difference in ideologies, I began to separate myself and thus the podcast had no identity. I began to pour my life into my podcast blurring reality and entertainment and for some reason, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Now having finally entered therapy for my mental health, I’ve begun to document that along with tackling relationships, and briefly still discussing music as I have gained a lot of associates throughout my time trying to break into the industry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There was a brief period I was going down the wrong path doing things I shouldn’t have done but it was 2008 and the recession hit me hard and I had to find ways to make money by any means necessary. Luckily I was able to get out before it was too late.
I was arrested once in 2010 for a technicality, it was the police officer’s word vs mine and we all know how that was going to turn out. I didn’t do any serious time but it’s on my record and it’s hindered me to find employment, which almost forced me to pursue a life of an entrepreneur. If I can’t be given an opportunity, I might as well create one for myself.
There was a time from 2012-2013, I was homeless for almost a year. I lived out of my 1994 Nissan Maxima.
Present-day I suffer from depression, anxiety and sometimes I even catch panic attacks. I feel like all the trauma I’ve endured over the years has finally caught up to me. I’m currently in therapy looking to work on myself so I can continue to offer my services without the handicap of mental health.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I own a small studio named studio 24. Services I offer Include embroidery, photography, videography, and podcasting. Having been in the field of live sound, studio recording, news networks, and the fashion industry. I feel like I have a lot to offer with these services to anyone who needs it. I feel like I have a wealth of knowledge that I’m always looking to pass on. I’ve been blessed to work with a who’s who of people so my name is reputable in any arena. And with that, I want to continue to earn the trust of anyone who does hear of me for the first time. Having that collateral of experience and clientele under my belt will give the client an ease to know that they are in good hands.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice, lol don’t do it!!!!! Lol j/k it’s actually quite the opposite. Just start. Be cognizant that you’re probably going to suck, for a long time. And that’s okay. Be okay with not being good. Make those mistakes. Also just as important is to not be moved by money. You’re going to have to learn to eat shit and learn to like the taste of it. (Idk if I can curse on here lol) you need to learn to have foresight, the opportunity that comes with doing things for free will pay dividends down the line. Form relationships. It’s not a competition. There’s room for everyone, don’t believe the hype and don’t fall for being a prisoner of the moment, because it’s only a moment in time. Go to your local and not so local events. You’ll meet so many other like-minded creatives that way. You’ll also get more support from strangers, and creatives that you do meet than your own best friend from your childhood or your own family members. I personally can’t tell you how many of my family members and friends choose others for the services that I provide. It’s just human nature, people aren’t going to view you as the creative that you are, they will view you as their friend or relative. My last piece of advice is to take care of your mental health. Don’t dismiss it. If you don’t take care of your mental health you won’t make it, in anything. This is by far the most important thing. Read, eat clean, be around people who are positive, we more often than not come up from humble beginnings and create from a space of desperation to get out of our humble beginnings and we never stop to resolve our mental health issues we develop from trauma. Take the time to take care of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @unofficialmayor
- Twitter: @unofficialmayor
Image Credits
@meekbase
