Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Marion.
Hi Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Marionmade began as a hobby during COVID-19. Our son, Nolan, was in high school and was looking for a part-time job to keep him occupied since school became virtual and the high school baseball season was canceled. Nolan started working for Matt Morgan at M2 Lumber through connections in our small community. Matt taught Nolan the basics of wood species, tools, and processes. Nolan then shared those with us. As we learned, my husband Chris and I would buy wood offcuts and make cutting boards to keep costs low; my husband worked outside the house during COVID-19 while my employer sent us home to work remotely. Chris and I would work our “day” jobs and head to the garage, aka shop, to work on boards and get me “outside the walls” of being home all day. We realized it would be in our best interests to form an LLC and make things official in 2022. While we do this as a hobby, the extra income is also lovely. We have expanded our skills and now make noodle boards, aka stove covers, at friends’ requests. We have designed and fabricated a bench to complement our friends’ dining room set. At the same time, we are still new to the side hustle world. We enjoy and take pride in all the products we create and sell. We connected with you through Denise and Melissa from Tanner’s Hope, a foundation established to support brain cancer patients and research. Beginning in 2022, I participated as a vendor in their annual Cars for the Cure event to raise funds and awareness.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a smooth road for many reasons. Matt (M2 Lumber) can always help with questions or suggestions. While this is a hobby, we look forward to what more it could become. I have a fantastic group of friends who have supported us, starting out offering legal and financial advice. Additionally, our shop in our garage has kept costs low, and we can still enjoy our day jobs and family time. A struggle would be several folks in the surrounding areas are also skilled woodworkers, so we have quite a bit of competition.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a Manager of Communications for a global technology company. My day-to-day involves drafting communications for a workgroup of 10K+ employees. I am also heavily involved in our DEI initiatives. I am on the Board of Directors of a Resource Group supporting Women in the workplace, offering career advice, skills-sharing, mentoring, and much more. Over the 20+ years, I have worked in many areas of the organization, from customer care, payroll, retail., timesheet management, workforce planning, and emergency preparedness. The skills I have learned through my career path have contributed to my eagerness to learn more about business ownership and management. I am also pursuing a degree in Business Management from a local college and plan to graduate in 2024. My husband and the hands behind a lot of the wood cutting and sanding; Chris is a proud Postal employee of 25+ years and still going strong!
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
The skills I have obtained and the connections I have made have been integral in my career and the desire to say we are small business owners. Is it luck – drive, and dedication to a solid work ethic that my kids see and want to follow in our footsteps?
Pricing:
- Cutting Boards/Charcuterie – $35+
- Custom Benches – $150+
- Noodle Boards/Stove Covers – $75+
Contact Info:
