Meet Sarah Ashley | professional problem solver

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Ashley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
By the time 2018 had come around I had worked for every production company in the Nashville area and a few in other states. At the time I was working for an hourly rate to do what felt like running someone else’s business and I was looking for the next challenge. My then fiancé, Brandy, had just finished obtaining her business degree with a minor in healthcare management and suggested that we merge our knowledge and start something of our own. Between her brains and encouragement and my knowledge of the industry we started our company out of a 10×10 spare room in our home, selling one job at a time until we had saved enough to build our first warehouse. Looking back on it all, I wouldn’t change any of it and am so proud of how far we have come since opening five years ago.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
You have to have skin in the game. If you want to play in the big leagues (own your own business) you have to be willing to bet on yourself. Lucky me I had the biggest supporter (my wife) who put her career aspirations on hold to tackle this with me. Brandy had big dreams and when it came down to the final conversations before we were ready to open RENOWNED, she was willing to allow her goals to take a back seat while we built my dreams together. We both took a risk and fell in love with it. We spent every last penny we had to invest in ourselves which was terrifying and rewarding. The most important factor of my success is my support system. There would be no RED without an amazing group of people who believed in me more than I did myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have a cabin with 81 acres just outside of the city. Anyone that comes to town I treat them there where we can explore the land, ride four-wheelers, enjoy nature and grill out without the hustle of the big city. I believe in getting away and exploring mother nature and being one with it. The city cannot provide that. While out on the land we hike, climb trees, play paintball, play board games or even just the good ol’ fashion sit around and talk. There is no cell service just the people you intend to spend time with and that is exactly what you would get to do. So if you’re ever in the Nashville area, take a break from the big city and explore mother nature and see what she has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, my mom, AJ, and nana. All four badass women that helped mold me into who I am. My wife taught me I could, therefore I did. She believes in me even when I don’t see it in myself. She is the full reason there is a RED, with the mentality of why do for someone else when you can do for yourself. She is gracious with me and my other whole. She continues to challenge me and push me in every way bringing out the best parts of myself. My mother was a single mother of two that taught me the importance of independence. I was raised on chores and three home cooked meals a day. Money was tight but my mom always knew how to provide and provide well for my brother and I. She helped curate the strong independent woman I am. My AJ is my moms sister and my aunt. She is also my best friend. If I’m being unreasonable I call her and she will talk me down. She keeps me on my toes with my worldview and challenges me for knowledge. My nana, mother to my mom and my AJ, grew up in an era before technology and learned how to work hard. I believe my work ethic came from her, she taught me to always keep busy and with that I’m able to keep a clean house and a successful business. Through what she has taught me I’ve learned to balance it all pretty well.

Website: weareredevents.com

Instagram: renownedeventdesigns