Ashana Bush is the owner and operator of Styled by Shon LLC. Operating since 2020, Styled By Shon is a full-service Event Planning business based in Burlington Township that provides highly customized and unique events for all occasions. We had a chance to sit down with her to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA's training program.
(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I decided to become an entrepreneur because it gives me great pleasure making a difference in someone's life by helping them bring their dream and/ or vision to life.
(2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?
I choose this industry because it's what I love and it makes me happy. Since I was a little girl, I loved dressing up and prancing around the house in my mother’s heels and clothes. As I got older, I would get bullied for how I dressed and how I wore my hair; so, when I got to high school, I wanted to change that. I was no longer a little girl at that point and wanted to look nice and feel good about myself by dressing like a young lady.
Back then, my mom shopped at the thrift stores a lot so I began to create great looks from putting these thrift store clothes together and making them look like they came from regular retail stores. This is the same tactic that got me through the hard times while living in the projects with my kid/s. Just because we had little to no money didn’t mean we had to look like it. My goal was to keep my kids looking the part so they wouldn’t get bullied like I did. During that time, I would also have a ton of parties where my daughter and I would decorate my apartment with different themes, dress up, and just have fun. I would even do crafting in my spare time which is where the idea to create centerpieces came from.
I was and still, to this day, am a heavy thrift store and clearance rack shopper. Honestly, this mindset actually helped me get through my rough days.
(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?
Key takeaways from the program were that I gained not only friendship, family, and partnership opportunities but also business knowledge that will last a lifetime. One ah-ha moment was right after my interview with the LAEDA Team because it was when I realized that they not only believed in me but also believed my vison was worth giving me a chance. This program helped me tremendously and it forced me to bring my passion to life with confidence.
(4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?
The biggest challenge has definitely been a financial challenge (i.e. getting access to funding). One of the greatest successes so far has been my ability to secure a physical location for my business.
(5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?
As of today, I have been in busy since July 2021 I have made some good connections, my website is up and running, my business cards and brochures are beautiful, and the business itself is doing fairly well, Thanks to LAEDA giving me that push, this is only the beginning I have so much to fulfill.
(6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?
As Long as you believe you in you, you can achieve anything! Always be your own number #1 fan.
About Ashana Bush:
Mrs. Bush caught the fashion 'bug' at an early age; playing dress-up was her favorite pastime. Raised in a family of modest means, fashion was of little importance. She was teased & bullied throughout her adolescent years for her attire. Once she reached high school, she took the matter into her own hands... making it her mission to turn her mom's thrift-store bargains into high fashion looks. Not only did the bullying cease, but her classmates looked to her for fashion advice and assistance. Now, after years of retail management experience & planning events for family & friends & friends of friends...she is sharing her craft with you and creating stunning looks and events at affordable prices for those on a budget.
Where Ashana can be reached:
Email: info@styledbyshonllc.com
Phone: 609-526-4216
About the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP):
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance. Apply online at
www.LAEDA.com.