Ashlee Vail is the owner and designer at Austyn Wyatt & Co. She’s always dreamt of making art for a living and she’s currently living that dream. Her business is named after her two kids making her company all the more special. Keep reading to learn more about Ashlee Vail in her AccelerateHER cohort story.
How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
It started at a girls dinner where we were all trying on my friend’s flat brim hat. None of us thought we’d look good in it and we all ended up loving it. I started seeing videos of people drawing on these hats and thought I would give it a shot. I have done a lot of creative work in my time staying home with my kids, but I have never felt as pulled to do any of it as I have with designing hats. Now that I’ve been doing this for a few months, I have been able to make some pieces for some very special milestones in people’s lives and it is such an honor to be a part of these big days for them. I love creating and being able to create wearable art has been such an exciting dream I never knew I had until I got going and I am so grateful!
What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work?
I worked in restaurants before my husband and I started our family. I am such a people person, despite being pretty introverted after 2020. I love going to markets and meeting people and just talking to them about my process. Getting to be in front of people with my work is such an important piece of what I do. I tend to sell more in person because I feel like they’re getting the entire experience and getting to feel the passion I have for the creations I make. I was missing that interaction after I started staying home with my babies, so getting back into that side of life has been more rewarding than I could have imagined.
What led you to take Austyn Wyatt & Co. from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
Turning Austyn Wyatt and Co. into a business happened very fast. I started in March and hit the ground running with it. I said this earlier, but I haven’t ever felt the urge to make something into a business before this but it was a feeling I could not ignore. I love drawing and I love making these statements pieces for people to wear so turning this into a business and putting myself out there in ways I haven’t ever done before has been so life giving.
How did you find your way into the industry?
I think I am still finding my way. Hat burning is becoming very trendy right now and I think what sets me apart is the fact that I am free handing all of the designs on my hats. I have had tattoo artists that I respect SO much compliment my line work and it blows my mind every time. I know I will figure out a way to make my mark in the hat industry, but I am still relatively new so I am enjoying learning more ways to set myself apart so that people remember me over other people doing similar work.
What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
I have some drawings up that my kids have made me. They keep me motivated when I’m dealing with artist block and I love the idea that they’re inspired artistically by me. It is such a privilege to know they look up to me and it makes me feel like I am on the right path.
Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?
“You can do this.” It is simple and it is true. If you ever see any of my personal hats, this is written in the crown on the inside. It pushes me to keep going and reminds me that I can do hard things despite anything my brain or any outside noise may try and tell me. It’s a great reminder and it’s always with me when I’m wearing my personal hats.
How do you pick back up on it when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I am lucky that I have shows scheduled almost every weekend so even if I’m uninspired, I don’t get to stay that way for long. Also, there are people in the industry that I look up to and respect so much who seem like they’re doing it right and I love to watch them create and reignite my love for what I do.
What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
I feel like this program is such a gift to all of us that are participating in it. The resources, the camaraderie, the support, the networking, all of it. Truly I feel the most important part is knowing we’re all going through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship together and we all get to learn to be better together. It has been such a joy and I am so proud of myself for even applying and putting myself out there. The fact that I got accepted is still pretty mind blowing to me!
Name a woman, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why?
I could have written so many paragraphs about so many people, but this person had an impact on me when I was starting my business. Imet this person when I started getting into plants. If you’ve been lucky enough to meet her, you’ll get why I look up to her. She doesn’t really know it, but her plant studio was a safe place for me when I didn’t get out much during Covid. I would go up there to get plants and would end up chit chatting forever because I just did not go many places out of fear. Taylor Bales gave me a really big push when I started Austyn Wyatt and Co. She commissioned a hat, gave me space with her to sell at the Redbud Festival here, and she believed in me maybe even before I had much confidence in what I was doing. She runs a badass plant/tattoo shop here in Denton with her husband Michael (who is an incredible artist that I also admire so much). She is welcoming and friendly and SO community driven and she is passionate as hell about what they do. She is one of many people in our community that have helped me realize that I am right where I need to be with my company and she is such a champion for small businesses throughout the area. I am thankful for friends like her (among so many more!) that give you that extra push you need when self doubt may be standing in your way.