70: How Ashley Paul Built a Wedding Empire—Then Built a Business to Save It
The Wedding World Is Changing—and Ashley Paul Is Ahead of It
Ashley Paul didn’t just build a career—she built two. With over 15 years in the wedding industry as a planner and floral designer, she’s seen it all: the chaos, the beauty, the burnout. And instead of walking away, she built a solution—for herself and for the creative CEOs around her.
Ashley Paul Co. is more than a virtual assisting service. It’s a lifeline for wedding professionals who are drowning in admin and starving for time. Through deep dive calls and monthly CEO services, Ashley helps creatives stay in their zone of genius without sacrificing quality, control, or sleep.
From Floral Foam to CEO Freedom
Ashley’s story isn’t the typical “I hated my job so I left” arc. She loved the adrenaline, the details, the client joy. But even love can burn you out when you’re carrying everything alone.
That’s when Ashley realized: it wasn’t about doing less. It was about doing the right things—and helping others do the same.
Ashley Paul Co. became the bridge. It’s how overwhelmed creatives go from barely holding it together to operating like real CEOs—with time to breathe and space to grow.
3 Lessons From Ashley’s Pivot That Every Creative Needs to Hear
1. Venue Coordinators Are Not Wedding Planners
Ashley drops a truth bomb: venue coordinators are great, but they don’t work for the couple—the planner does. That clarity alone changes how you show up and how you sell your services.
2. Communication and Customization Are Non-Negotiables
Whether it’s planning a wedding or helping a CEO streamline, Ashley’s secret weapon is simple: listen deeply, adapt relentlessly.
3. Support Is Strategy, Not Surrender
Too many creatives think they have to prove they can “do it all.” Ashley calls BS. Delegation isn’t defeat—it’s how you grow and stay sane.
Advice for the New (Or Tired) Creatives
Ashley’s guidance is simple but potent:
- Stay true to your why.
- Build relationships in the industry.
- Never stop learning—but stop thinking you have to do it all alone.
The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle Your Business
The creative industry doesn’t reward martyrs. It rewards systems, boundaries, and bold pivots. Ashley Paul isn’t just a great planner—she’s a planner who planned her way out of burnout and built a business that lets others do the same.
Feeling overwhelmed? This episode is your call to stop carrying everything and start acting like a CEO.
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