We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks has been the saving grace of my life and career. To the point that now when I feel like I’m too comfortable I know it’s time for a shift. But I have not always thought like that. This revelation has come after seeing the development of the last about 13 years of my life. In 2012 I had already graduated with my bachelor’s and was completing my master’s. As planned, I was working for my father learning the family business with plans to eventually take over the company. I was comfortable and ok with that plan for my life.
Little did I know life had other plans for me. By the time I graduated with my second degree and was working full-time for the family business. I became depressed, highly anxious, and totally confused about what I wanted to do with my life. With the help of one of my aunts, I decided to step out of my comfort zone to seek therapy (Risk 1). I never did therapy before and was skeptical of the process but was desperate at this point. I worked hard to uncover who I was at the core and what I wanted.
One important and surprisingly hard question my therapist asked me was “What are your hobbies?” I wanted to say, “Lady, I have no idea…ugh going to brunch with friends?” But I thought hard and said: “Well, I love reading fashion magazines.” That answer, in addition to my faith, self-discovery, and a lot of hard work guided my life journey down a path I never even considered.
That first pivotal risk to step out of my comfort zone and seek an understanding of myself led to me embracing the unknown and going after what felt right for me. My life and career have blossomed in a way I could never imagine.
Less than a year after my therapist asked me that question I took an even bigger risk. I left Florida where I was born and raised. I moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion styling. It was not easy. I had some very trying times in my career and personally in my life. But the risk was so worth it.
Now, nearly a decade later I have become an Emmy-nominated wardrobe stylist, purpose speaker, and business owner just like my dad. Daily, I strive to help others uncover and showcase the awesomeness’ that lives within them.
Through the years, I have had the privilege to have a client base composed of many talented, multi-faceted, and inspirational people from various industries. I have worked with TV networks and brands like ABC, BET, Food Network, QVC, Pepsi, Amazon, and the list goes on. The work that I do continues to fuel my passion and purpose to use my skills in wardrobe building, style curation, and personal branding to help empower others and bring awareness to mental health and holistic wellness.
Me taking risks is just part of my life now. In July 2020 I decided to move from New York to Miami. It was scary. I left the network that I relied on for my career. At the time the pandemic was in full force as well. Not knowing what my new life would look like I developed high anxiety again that created consistent panic attacks. Though very difficult to deal with, I didn’t let this stop me.
Since I took that first true risk of going to therapy and betting on myself even when life is hard my testimonies have encouraged me to keep going and keep listening from within. In this next season of taking a risk and moving to Miami, I am excited to see life unfold, evolve and manifest my desires right before my eyes.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Let’s just start with no my journey definitely has not been easy at all! But it’s all been worth it. My professional journey has taken me to many amazing destinations. But the journey comes with many twists and turns. Starting with the struggles of getting out of college and thinking I knew what I wanted to do. That in itself caused me to have to deal with my mental health in a way I never had before. There were days when I cried all day for no reason and didn’t even want to get out of bed.
Then when I finally took the leap of faith and made the move to New York it was a totally different life. Coming from Florida and now having to rely on the train system. Trying to understand how to navigate in what seemed to be a scary unknown new territory was trying. Let’s not forget the fashion industry can be cutthroat at times.
I went to New York at the age of 27 and started from the bottom interning and assisting. Carrying heavy bags of clothes in rain, sleet, and snow. Early mornings and late nights onsets of music videos, photoshoots, clients’ fittings, shopping all around the city, etc. Doing any opportunity to expand my resume and portfolio. I was in grind mode to the max.
Also in 2015, I had my first major panic attack that made me not want to even ride the train. Ya girl was petrified! How can I live in New York and not ride the train??? I had no choice but to boss up and dive into my faith. With the help of therapy, my family, and my inner resilience, I still continue the journey that is filled with many blessings but also so much unknown…but I believe I’m living in my purpose so just keep going.
I want people to know my brand AMM Styling is more than just me being a wardrobe stylist who knows about brands, trends, and putting outfits together. Yes, it’s important to know those things as an expert in my field. But I honestly care more about my clients’ well-being, who they are at the core, and what they strive to do in their lives. I then use my brand and styling expertise to uplift them, inspire them, and help them authentically showcase themselves.
I have met and worked with many celebrities, and worked with brands I never thought I would. I have worked for Emmy Award-winning daytime talk shows and even been nominated for an Emmy, but I am most proud of my growth in myself. With every obstacle, I see how far I have come. I use to be so depressed and battled with high anxiety and it use to be so crippling. I would get consumed by the “bad” things that were happening to me. Now I still have hard days where I battle with depression and anxiety at times. But those days don’t last for long. I try to stay optimistic, I talk to God, my family, and my friends. I go to therapy. I practice meditation, work out and go to the beach. The beach is my happy place when I get overwhelmed. I practice giving myself grace, self-love, and self-care. I am so proud of myself!
My growth motivates me to expand my brand. I don’t want just celebrities or people who can afford my services to benefit. I want to be able to show more people the power of styling, self-expression, and holistic wellness. These are principles of my life that have honestly saved me. I want to provide tangible products and experiences that can uplift and inspire others in ways that people, organizations, books, life experiences etc. have done for me. So just know there is much more to come from the Ashley Michelle Miller brand!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I will be honest I am still learning my way around the city. Even though I was born here I didn’t grow up in Miami so deciding to move here was like moving to a new city. Honestly, there are just so many Miami gems. But for a week-long trip that may consist of work and fun this is what I would suggest.
First off, outside activities and venturing around the city are a must. Going to the beach is always number one on the list. I always suggest a day pass to hotels and going on the weekday when the beach is not as crowded. When I first moved here I would always go to the Cadillac Hotel. Rent a chair and umbrella and order food from their hotel. It was so relaxing and not too busy. Also enjoying the PAM Museum and Vizcaya Gardens are ways to enjoy more than the typical party Miami scene.
For lunch and dinner, there are so many places I could recommend. Some of my favorites are Lornas Carribean & American Grill in Miami Gardens, Red Rooster in Overtown, Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen in Wynwood, and Amara at Paraiso in the midtown area.
And as an entrepreneur, I always find a little time for work even when I’m on vacation and I love co-working spots. I spend a lot of time at Co-space in Miami Gardens. (https://www.welcometocospace.
Oh, I can’t forget the night mix-and-mingle vibes. I always suggest The Shrine at Red Rooster or Dantes Hi-Fi when you want to dance the night away. I suggest checking out @socialxchangemiami Instagram for the weekend curated event vibes. Also, Savor Wynwood is a place I recently discovered that combines good food, music, and hookah.
But honestly, there are so many places I could shout out. I love Miami. I am always finding somewhere new to go to.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Omg! There as so many people, I want to shoutout! I know I will probably forget many but I first want to say thank you to anyone who knows me and has connected with me. Even if it with was for a short time. I am a person that believes everything happens for a reason. I am always learning, getting inspired, and growing with each person, brand, organization, book, experience, etc. I come across. I believe God sets it up like that and so I take none of it for granted.
For this feature, I want to give a special shoutout to God for forever covering me and blessing me. To my mommy, daddy, and sister (Chely Belly) for continuing to encourage me and being there for me even when I don’t have the strength to be able there for myself. I thank my dad for being selfless and encouraging me to go after my dreams to move to New York when he could have been mad that I was not going to continue to work for the family business.
I want to thank my Aunt Evelyn for seeing the importance of me going to therapy. As well as connecting me to my therapist at a time I really needed the support. I will forever be grateful to my therapist who I still talk to this day and who has helped me in some of the hardest times of my life.
Like I said there are so many people I would like to personally shoutout but just know I am truly grateful to all my friends and family. To anyone who has ever given me a chance to work with them, connected with me, saw me for me, and vibed with me. THANK YOU. I appreciate you and love you more than you know!
Website: https://www.ashleymichellemiller.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymichellemiller/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-michelle-miller-mpm-87789548/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=25112250 (Ashley Michelle Miller)
Image Credits
Photo Credit for me in the white hat and teal dress & me with magazines (POV MIAMI Photography)