LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

Having my own creative mind and the eagerness to know the inside of a business. In addition, having the passion to create my own vision and do what I feel to make a positive difference with being creative in my own space all led me onto the path of entrepreneurship. Even though it is stressful at times, at the end it is rewarding and it gives me flexibility with my family. Entrepreneurship is really self-fulfilling because its something that you created like a baby and you watch it grow. One of the essential things that I learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey is that when you are branding your business its like an extension of you at all times.

LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?

I started becoming interested in the fashio industry in 10th grade because I loved the idea of being creative with clothing, to stand out of the crowd, and be different through creating. After High School, I went to college in Philadelphia and was able to freelance doing design and working another full time job. I started the business in 2014 by myself and it is home-based. Right now I am working A full time job and my goal is to get my own space to further grow my startup.

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?

The program was great and there was a lot of in depth information. It really helps with understanding what goes into the business plan and how to team build and practices in keeping that team. Everybody can give instructions, but not everybody can give instructions in how to follow those particular instructions and the ones that do turn out to be great leaders and bosses. In one of the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program classes we did the airplane exercise, which helped me learn a lot and it symbolized how people can follow your instructions and get the desired result. The instructions were to make a paper airplane in three steps and then as a class we each flew our plane and we had to see which one had the plane that went the furthest. Some may not understand the techniques used to get the plane to fly the furthest, however with the right instructions anyone can obtain the same results. This class was great in explaining how to manage your own team and knowing how to be a great leader. Another Ah-ha moment was parts of the business plan, what goes in it, and learning the layout of my business financials. That was the toughest part, in my opinion. But once it’s mapped out, it all starts to make sense for day-to-day operations. I also learned how personal credit pays a huge role on business credit and on securing a business loan. The beginning stages are the toughest, but we just need to work hard and always be faithful to our passion. 

LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?

Right now, I am home-based and working on getting a building in the next year or two. There are many challenges, many relate to acquiring customers. The question that comes up in an entrepreneurs mind is: How can you show customers how your vision matches their vision? Another challenge is securing capital to get my building and to keep growing.

As for the successes: my client list is growing due to marketing, including through word-of-mouth and social media. To keep customers happy, I give the client an opportunity to ask me to make any corrections or changes.

LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

I am trying my best to balance my other job and working on getting capital so I can get my building and expand out of my home-based setting.  Right now I am getting ready for the Fashion show I have in February and on November 4, 2017 via Facebook Live I am having a small launch of my website.

LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

Treat your business as if it was a human being, meaning give it the love, care, and nourishment as you would a small child. It requires so much of your time to survive. With all these elements it will grow and be beautiful. There will be tough times, but at the end when you see how beautiful it is you will find peace and success.

Congratulations to Angela Turner for completing EDTP and recommitting to her journey on the path of entrepreneurship. AngelaAshley LLC: To Be Different is a small boutique that allows the customer to be creative and become the designer. It offers many different types of clothing including eveningwear, prom ware, bridal dresses/attire, and birthday party outfits. AngelaAshley customers can create their own look by describing a vision for AngelaAshley to create. For more information contact Angela Turner through email: angelaashley09@yahoo.com, phone: 856 248 0927, and IG: shop_angelaashley or FaceBook AngeleaAshley LLC.

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Winter Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and one year of technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com