Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hawks.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been in love with the wedding industry. There’s something so magical & romantic about it all! My mother owned a bridal shop in the Twin Cities for 25 years. She was so involved in the community, referring our brides to other local vendors like florists & photographers, even sending them to our competitors if we didn’t have the exact dress she was looking for. I grew up learning firsthand the importance of serving others while doing what you love.
In my mid-twenties, I met 2 entrepreneurs, Charles Eide & Mike Danielson, who shared an idea they had that would help wedding businesses grow, both personally & professionally. With so much changing in the digital world, I knew this was something that so many business owners needed. We launched Forever Bride in 2012 with the mission to help promote local wedding vendors through our website while providing additional tools and resources, like networking events and educational seminars, to help them thrive. Over the next 10 years, Forever Bride grew to serve thousands of businesses around the country, hosted a dozen wedding expos at the Mall of America, and launched our very own podcast!
After meeting the leaders of David’s Bridal in 2021, we knew there was something special and something BIG for this next chapter. Forever Bride assets were acquired by David’s in early 2022 & I couldn’t be more proud of our decision to join the largest wedding retailer in the country. Recently rebranded to “Pearl by David’s,” we now host one of the largest planning apps, helping our brides connect with trusted wedding vendors around the country. Pearl also features a universal gift registry, a custom wedding website, & other free planning tools!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Looking back, yes, of course, there were struggles, points where I wanted to give up, and days when I question everything. I think our success was built largely on the fact that we were willing to push through obstacles every day, and learn from mistakes along the way, without ever giving up or slowing down. You never really fail unless you give up. And I am grateful for each obstacle and challenging season, it has taught me more about life and business than any seminar or self-help book ever could.
Not only did those struggles shape me into the person I am today, but they taught me the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. I believe we can overcome anything with the right friends and mentors around us; choose your circle wisely.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I know my purpose in the business world is to help others GROW. My specialty is connecting people, connecting stories, and creating momentum.
With my team at David’s Bridal, we’re bringing amazing businesses into our ecosystem, connecting them to our brides, sharing their stories, and creating opportunities for growth. I’m most proud of our partnership program, which has opportunities for all businesses to get involved, no matter how big or how small.
Contact Info:
- Website: pearl.davidsbridal.com
Image Credits
Headshots by Sophie Kaye Photography
