MAD LOVE MONDAY | Ashley Rosenow - Illustrious Interiors
My name is Ashley Rosenow and I am the proud owner of Illustrious Interiors. Currently I offer interior decorating, home staging and styling, interior organizing, paint consultations, and custom murals.
@mintedphotography
My name is Ashley Rosenow and I am the proud owner of Illustrious Interiors. Currently I offer interior decorating, home staging and styling, interior organizing, paint consultations, and custom murals. At one point, most of these services were solely a hobby of my own and I could only have dreamt of using my creativity in a home other than my own. I truly believe that you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it.
After having my children, my work priorities changed and I knew immediately it was time to pursue my passion of interior design. This meant I could spend more time with my children and be the mother and wife I envisioned to be. This doesn’t come without a challenge though. Any Mompreneur understands the struggle of work/life/balance of trying to run a business and provide for your family that demands you-all at the same time. I can’t say that I have found that perfect balance yet, but I do feel blessed to have my beautiful family and my dream job right in front of me. Life will always be changing around you. You can either succumb to the challenges, or face them without fear of the future. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think I am capable enough. I believe putting in 110% effort with a positive attitude will always pay off.
My business came by demand. What started out as creating unique pieces and rooms in my own home, blossomed into requests from friends/family, that by word of mouth alone turned into more and more clients. I began researching social media strategies, built a portfolio by decorating many unique rooms, became a certified home stager, and then officially opened for business.
I have always been passionate about decorating and even on my “down time” you can find me inside Homsense or Michaels strolling about envisioning decorating or creating for a new space. I love the challenge of working in a new space with old and new furniture and making it all come together in a seamless way. Many times, when I stage a home, I am utilizing what the client has before purchasing anything new and the outcome has always been successful.
It is funny to think how murals came about. They are one of my favorite services I provide. Often when I am decorating a room, I am working within a budget and although wallpaper can be beautiful, often it can be costly. There are many times where I just end up challenging myself to see if I can paint something similar for a fraction of the price, and not to mention the colors usually work a bit better with the room since it is all custom! Murals ended up being requested so often that I decided to add it to my list of services.
@mintedphotography
Painting has always been incredibly soothing to me and I am always so inspired by other artists. I love painting floral murals and when I came across the giant floral painting on 72 St and 101 Ave in Edmonton I was in absolute awe! How has this been in Edmonton since 1998 and I have only just seen it this year! It is definitely something worth seeing!
Speaking of the YEG community, the biggest thing I am thankful for within my business by far has been my friends, family, clients, and supporters. I am pretty active on Facebook and Instagram and the number of referrals that I have seen on there alone from locals, have brought me so much business and it hasn’t gone unnoticed! These referrals have been my biggest aid in getting my name out there and I couldn’t do it without my support team!
Although I spend hours and hours on Pinterest looking for inspiration and ideas, I have yet to really figure out how to use it for my business. I started up a page right from the get-go, but I don’t really use it yet. This year my goal is to use Pinterest to my advantage and blog a little more on my site! My next goal is to duplicate myself so I can get a little more done, although this is not quite obtainable it would be really nice! This year I would also love to attend a Boss Babe mixer and get to know some other amazing YEG Boss Babes! In the meantime, head over to my Instagram and Facebook and come say Hi! I would love to meet you!
NITTY GRITTY MOM BOSS THOUGHTS | ASHLEE MACDOUELL MEDIA
Hi! I’m Ashlee - I’m a business owner and mom to two beautiful boys (we recently “graduated” from having two kids under two - although something tells me that it doesn’t mean things are about to get easier).
Photo | Tory Stender
Hi! I’m Ashlee - I’m a business owner and mom to two beautiful boys (we recently “graduated” from having two kids under two - although something tells me that it doesn’t mean things are about to get easier). We’ve been living in the area for just over 4 years now and currently live just outside of Edmonton. You’ll usually find me dance partying with my kids, eating, working or cooking!
I’ve been an entrepreneur on and off since I was 15 years old. I started a photography business in high school, and went from getting my first paying gig at 15 ($100.00 for a 6 year old’s birthday party) to shooting weddings at 16. I spent all of my free time on weekends and during summer breaks doing photoshoots and editing photos. Eventually, I realized that photography on it’s own wasn’t the right path - and it took me some time, and some unrelated career paths, but I found my groove helping businesses by freeing up some of their time and getting them new customers and clients through my social media management business - Ashlee MacDouell Media.
Photo | www.jessleighartist.com
Here are my thoughts...
Running a business is hard work. Running a business while on maternity leave is HARD work. Running a business while taking care of 2-3 kids is HARD WORK. Getting up early even though you were up in the night with your baby is your worst enemy and your best friend. You need your sleep but that 45 minutes to an hour that I have to myself in the mornings is probably some of my most productive work time.
If you have anxiety - don’t up your coffee intake to compensate for the above ^.
I had to break up with caffeine recently. It was a sad day. I discovered it made me feel real crazy when coupled with lack of sleep and already existing anxious tendencies. Instead, I learned to give myself grace and allow myself to “sleep in” until the kids get up or head to bed early. I still have the occasional decaf coffee and herbal teas are my best friend.I LOVE food - so I’m jumping in here with a few ideas. Keep easy to grab snacks on hand, or batch make some homemade granola bars, muffins, etc. Also, slow cooker is your bestie. My favourites are: pre washed spinach, protein bars, apples, cheese, pepperoni sticks, pretzels, nuts & seeds, hummus, chopped veggies. I also make these breakfast cookies fairly often (I think I lived off of them for a month when my first son was born) They freeze well and it’s easy to substitute many ingredients in the recipe.
Scheduling calls is really interesting when you’re a business owner and a mom. To clients/potential clients of mombosses… if you hear Paw Patrol and kids screaming in the background - we’re doing our best.
Want to be a Mom Boss? DO IT. Take the plunge, go all in, stop spending so long trying to decide if it is right and take a risk. I think it’s harder on us moms because we have a family that depends on us and we have that added pressure beyond what other entrepreneurs feel to succeed. That self-doubt? That fear? That imposter syndrome? X1000 for mom bosses. But don’t let it get you! You’ve got this.
My biggest advice for moms in general has to be GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT THE KIDS. Just do it. They will survive. Even if they’re eating cookies and juice while you’re gone and you-don’t-usually-allow-it-cause-health or they wake up and you’re not there, it’s allllll good. You will be back soon and they will learn to enjoy the company of others. The sooner, the better! I recently started going out about once a month for a late dinner with friends and it is SO GOOD.
Kitchen dance parties. By yourself, with the kids, whatever. We love Spotify - find a playlist you love, or make one - and get your groove on even if you’re awkward and can’t dance. Get out of that funk you’re in or have fun with your kids they will love it!
Social Media Tips - If you’re a business owner and a mom - here are some tips for you when you start feeling like social media is too much of a time suck or you just don’t know what to post anymore: Spend 10 minutes or so looking into some social media planning apps that can help you pre-load some posts so you’re not scrambling when you realize you haven’t posted in two weeks - also, don’t be afraid to showcase who YOU are. When people are shopping local or supporting local or supporting women-owned, mom-owned etc. They do that because they care about the makers, let them see you! You are your brand. After all, you’re the one who started this business, right?
Photo | Tory Stender
INSTAGRAM GRID STYLING | Sonia Gonzalez Bsocial Communications
Three Steps to Styling your Instagram Grid. When you have someone visit your business Instagram account, what do you want them to see? Want them to notice your personality, a strong brand voice and an overar
Three Steps to Styling your Instagram Grid
When you have someone visit your business Instagram account, what do you want them to see? Want them to notice your personality, a strong brand voice and an overarching visual story? If so, a consistent and structured Instagram grid can help strike interest and even motivate someone to follow your account.
Just like your written content, each piece of visual content plays into a larger strategy. Here are three steps to creating your Instagram visual strategy:
1. Choose a grid layout
When you begin to think about your Instagram style strategy, start by choosing how you want to lay out your photos. An Instagram grid layout is essentially how each post is positioned in your feed and is built on a structured design.
The layout can be simply posting all square photos with the same theme and filter (next step), or you can structure your page with unique elements like borders, create tile patterns like a checkerboard or post similar photos in a group of three to build a storyline. Regardless of the layout you choose, the key is to stick with it and be consistent.
2. Choose a photo theme and filter
Once you have a layout in mind, it’s time to pick your instagram photo theme. Do you want your page to be all light photos or have a dark and moody feel? Do you want all your photos to have a vintage feel or want all your photos to be in black and white? When picking a theme be sure to go with one that represents you and your brand. If you’re bold and bright, have your photos reflect that. If you want something easy to maintain and more on the conservative side, maybe a white and grey look is more your style.
Once you pick your theme, photo filter and lighting style be sure to stick with it. Consistency is key! If there are photos and videos you would like to post but they don’t go with the flow of your grid, place them in your story. They will still gain exposure and engagement.
3. Have a content plan
The type of content you post and how the photos are placed will add to the flow and visual appeal of your page. Consistency comes with content planning. Create a brief outline of what you want to post ahead of time (it can even be three weeks at a time). Next, take the photos you need based on that plan so you have a database of photos to pull from.
This will ensure consistency in your photos and content and will help avoid the inevitable panic for looking for something to post.
Examples of accounts rocking the grid game
Here are five professional Instagram grid styles mastered by local boss babes that will be sure to inspire you to find your own visual voice!
Account: @velvetcrane
Grid layout: Checkerboard
Theme: muted, natural colour palette
Content: natural beauty line promoting self-love and honest beauty
Account: @choicesandvoicesbirth
Grid layout: vertical lines
Theme: black and white with a splash of colour
Content: birthing education and empowering women
Account: @mushroomsandthyme
Grid layout: traditional squares
Theme: dark, moody feels
Content: food sharing and styling
Account: @shopnor
Grid layout: coloured borders
Theme: muted, natural colour palette
Content: vintage and handmade apparel, sustainable fashion
Looking for some guidance on how to create a professional and eye-catching Instagram page? bSocial Communications creates customized and easy to follow Instagram style strategies that you can implement yourself. Learn more about bSocial Communications at www.bsocial.ca or @bsocialcomm.