beCandylicious Fashion & Accessories, Ashley Daly – Mompreneur Monday Shout Out
Believe in second acts. Believe in the possibility of the impossible. Believe in yourself.
That’s what mompreneur Ashley Daly has taught me, in the brief time I’ve know her. This Westchester-based mama is a risk taker, dreamer, giver and creator of the super fun beCandylicious assortment of playful clothing and accessories. The brand focused on keeping humanKIND happy and joyful. Ashely focuses on being a bad-ass mompreneur, and inspiration to her children to hustle for their own dreams.
Mompreneur Monday Shout Out
Find out why Ashley is so passionate about beCandylicious and Soul Candy, and how she found the courage to walk off the stage in front of over 1000 of the best CMOS, and kiss goodbye to her former career of 20 years in exchange for the uncertainty of becoming a mompreneur.
How old are your kids? I have two children and one rescue dog. My daughter is 9, going on 17 – I wish I was kidding. And my son is 12.
When did you launch your business? It’s been just under 2 years, since we launched beCandylicious, a clothing and accessories brand designed to deliver an epic dose of happy for humanKIND.
What motivates you to hustle for your business, when mom life seems to be swallowing you whole? There are so many things that motivate me to push though all the chaos and uncertainty, including the promise of what could be. It is incredibly empowering when you pause and really think about all that could be. Also, teaching my children that positive outcomes are 100% dependent upon your willingness to put in the hard work, determination, heart and passion is a big motivator.
What’s your biggest challenge right now? One of the biggest challenges is standing out in a saturated market. When people come across our brand, they really seem to connect with it and get it. We have an 82% customer return rate, which is amazing for a new brand. My challenge now is amplification. With so many platforms, influencers and focus on celebrity it can be challenging for non-celebrities to stand out. So,it’s a dream when large retailers like Dylan’s Candy Bar reach out to us and inquire about carrying our clothing and accessories.
How do you manage your days, your time? Day by day, truly. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done for the business and then, of course, your family and husband duties … mix in philanthropy, community, friends etc….it can be daunting when you focus on everything at once. I live by spreadsheets and lists and forgive myself for not accomplishing everything I set out to do. Prioritization is key and putting weights and measures against the actions and deliverables that are on my list.
What do you like to do to unwind and self care? I am learning and accepting that I am important and deserve self care. As moms and as women, we often times put ourselves last and don’t consider our own needs ahead of others.
What or who inspires you to keep pushing your business forward? My family is my world. Seeing their faces when we get picked up in new stores or they see their friends or people wearing our clothes, is hugely motivating. Hearing my children say our mantra and talk about kindness along with appreciating individuality reminds me that what I am doing is resonating.
What has been your biggest “aha” moment this year? I wouldn’t say its a revelation, but rather validation that everything is possible when you aren’t afraid to put in the work and keep yourself open. I was just telling my daughter that life has a way of disrupting everything you know and that we have to be open and embrace unexpected connections, moments and failures. There is so much positive to be gleaned from these unplanned and often frustrating situations.
What does it mean to you to Hustle Like a Mom? Love this! Moms are a special group – selfless, loving, opinionated, smart and truly the bonding agent for almost everything in life. To hustle like a mom means to hustle among the best. Get it done, efficiently and fabulously.
PS Make sure you are following me @PamelaPekerman and Ashley @beCandylicious on Instagram. We are doing an epic all-female business onwers giveaway on September 9th!!!
