Founder Brand Feature: Not Every Day is a Good Day and That's Okay
with Coach, Casting Director, & Creative Ashley-Lauren Elrod
This weekâs Founder Brand Feature:
Coach, Casting Director, & Creative Ashley-Lauren Elrod
Ashley-Lauren Elrod started her business in the entertainment industry 11 years ago. She is extremely passionate about authenticity and performing! Over the years her business has transformed into what it is today, Visionary Woman Productions, an amazing, small production house led by Ashley and her team.
Ashley has been a production designer on several different films and television shows. Her network ranges across the globe to the UK, India, and Australia. She's worked alongside some of Hollywood's most established, such as Paul Haggis of 'Crash' and 'Million Dollar Baby' actors, Kevin Pollack, David Dastmalchian, John Christian Love, and many more.
She also runs oneâonâone coaching to help actors navigate the industry safely and wisely, which is a mission she cares deeply for.
Could you share your perspective on the role your personal brand has played in building your business?
I am still a performer as well. I'm relatable. Like, I'm instantly relatable to the people that are coming to me for guidance which helps with my actual business brand. They see, oh, you're a casting director too. You have been directing for major clients, but you're also still a performer.
What have been some of the methods or strategies that have made the biggest difference in building your brand and authority as an entrepreneur?Â
It's probably something that people do know, but maybe just don't do enough of, I would say, I, for one have always been very authentic and open about my story, my journey, and how creativity has helped me get through tough times.
The important thing for me as a personal brand is just being able to be relatable to people and be honest with people and show them what's happening in real life. You know, like not every day is a good day and I've never been afraid to show that to people.
Iâve really learned that, you know, being continuously authentic and just continuously doing your own thing and not getting caught up in whatever one else is doing really does benefit you in the long run.
What has been the most surprising benefit from building your personal brand?Â
I think a cool benefit honestly, has been the people. I have a really good community of people just via Instagram alone.
I've had a lot of deep conversations with people that I didn't know at first who just felt, you know, open enough to be like, âHey, I trust you with this because you share this about yourself. I think that you're a good person to ask for advice.â That's been a beautiful benefit just to be able to truly help people as much as I can in my own small way. Itâs amazing to have something that really is a community and not just like, oh, I have followers or I have, you know, clients or whatever.
It's been awesome, as well, cause they've been there for me too. Like I've been through some tough stuff in the past few years and when I posted about it, people have said, âHey, can I get your mailing address? I want to send you a book or send you a card or, you know, I want to try to encourage you because you've encouraged me.â and that's been beautiful thing.
Final Thoughts:
I would just continue to tell people, don't get caught up in the numbers. Don't get overwhelmed by seeing what everyone else is doing, because it really can hinder your own growth and hinder your productivity.
Know that at the end of the day, you donât need to worry about the numbers, all you need to worry about is your why and how you want that why to be fulfilled.
âNot every day is a good day and I've never been afraid to show that to people.â
Ashley-Lauren Elrod
More about Ashley-Lauren Elrod:
Instagram: @ashleylaurenofficial
Website: www.visionarywomanproductions.com
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