Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Silva.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started working for my grandmother at the age of 10. She had a well-known sewing supply space at the San Fernando Swap meet for many years. My mother was her right hand in the business as well. Growing up around these strong personalities, a hustle manifested within me.
I have always been into arts and crafts growing up. My mother would always bring home extra supplies from my grandmother’s business for me to play with. I had an uncle who was a professional tailor. He had a huge role in raising my siblings and I. He was known to our family as our personal “Versace” because he would be able to recreate any sort of outfit we desired.
I have had a lot of losses in my life, the first being my younger brother. Andrew He died at the age of 14. He had terminal brain cancer. In high school, I was homeschooled for a period of time. Creating jewelry was a comfort for me.
My father passed away in 2011, he was a great family man. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer won the battle. As the oldest child in a household, it put a lot of pressure for me to be there for my grieving mother and younger sister.
My mentality is “We are chingonas”, I feel like I had to step up and be the woMAN of the house. With the help of my uncle and grandma of course.
It’s been a tough journey through life, I’ve had many career paths. A preschool teacher, a manager at a retail store to an insurance agent. I’ve always been a people person. I love selling and making money. But once the pandemic hit.
I was stuck in a home with my emotions. I turn to creating. My brand starting taking off. I attended pop-up shops and open markets and started doing live sales. Fast forward to now, my website is up and running and I’ve got to meet so many lovely people.
My motto is this: “For the Life You Earn”. I believe I’m working hard and earning anything you desire. If it means leaving a multi-million dollar company and starting from scratch, then it means that I can say I know the struggle. I have made a lot of money for an insurance company before by selling a lot of policies. My thought is, why not make a lot of sales for me and my legacy.?
I love what I do and I love the freedom of having my own schedule and being my own boss.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been tough at times, risking finances or losing friendships due to growing apart. People won’t understand what it is like to run a small business. The merchandising, selling, website design, shipping, customer service, photography, editing, etc
I do not have a team, I do it all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to make personalized jewelry, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. I am known for selling gold-plated pieces. I take pride in sourcing merchandise that is quality and affordable.
My brand is a lifestyle brand, it grows with me. I love selling jewelry but I also throw in anything I may be into as well. For example, I am a planner. I love pens and stickers. I have brought a selection of items to my shop.
I am focusing more on the creative part of jewelry. Designing is what I ultimately love to do. I am finding more time to sit down and bring collections to life with what is going on in mine. 
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I always feel as though one should come from a customer’s point of view. I like to interact with my clients in person at a pop-up or over a live sale. I am a real person too and like to give insight into my life and what I am up to. When I shop, I shop for me and my taste but I also bring in items that I can say would cater to someone who isn’t like me and that’s ok. I like to be a one stop shop for everyone. I treat my customers with care.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.SHOPFLYE.COM
- Instagram: Shopflye
- Facebook: Facebook.com/shopflye
