Hidden Gems: Meet Tammy Ash of Designs by Ash, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Ash.

Hi Tammy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2014, after 25 years of doing secretarial work that I hated while we raised our Son’s, I decided I was going back to doing hair full time.

It was always my dream to own my own business, but I never thought it would be a reality, until I was offered the chance to start for just $200. A lady offered me her contract and all her things if I wanted to take over for an assisted living she was at.

While I was scared to death and literally had no money, I took the chance, because I had done so much praying that if I was to do hair full time, God would make it a reality. It took me 2 weeks to work up enough nerve to tell my Husband that I was now a business owner! I didn’t know how he’d react and I wasn’t sure how I would make enough money to stay in business, let alone make a living, but I had faith and that was enough.

I was at the facility for about a month and moved on to a bigger one and from there eventually to 6 places a week, doing 2 in just one day so I could make enough money to justify trying to make my dream come true.

It wasn’t always easy, most times were spent waiting on the facilities to pay what they owed me as a contractor, sometimes 2-3 months at a time with no pay. I refused to ever give up though, because this was my dream and it was up to me to make it come true, no one could do it for me.

Then the unthinkable happened on a Friday afternoon at 4:45 pm, the TV announced we were in the beginning of a world wide pandemic and the world was shut down. I literally almost came unglued as I’d worked to hard and come to far to lose everything now. My only option was the impossible and that was to call the Governor’s office to ask for help at close to 5 pm on a Friday night cause I knew I couldn’t stand it until Monday. Surprisingly they answered the phone and long story short, after hearing my story and probably the desperation in my voice of how I’d waited 25 years and how hard I’d worked, I was granted immunity to work and was considered an essential company as a Hospice Hair Stylist & Nail Tech.

While I thought I was home free, all 6 facilities refused to let me come back, even though the Governor said I could, so I thought I was back to square one. Luckily, I’m not one to give up, so I decided in the middle of the pandemic, I was going strictly mobile and would take my chances.

I was scared to death, I had a 2 year old Granddaughter & a 2 week old grandson that I couldn’t get sick, but I couldn’t give up on my dream either. I prayed that if I was supposed to continue, that God would open the doors and boy did he ever, he kicked them open for me to walk thru!

I decided that I was going to specialize in severely disabled, hospice, dementia, autism and mental health hair and nail care. So I became certified in all to better understand my clients. What started as a few post on Facebook about what I was planning on doing has now morphed into owning my company for the last 11 years and being licensed in both Missouri for 36 years and Kansas for 11 years.

From that 1st day that I agreed to take over for $200 with no clients, I never slowed down, not even a pandemic would stop me. To this day, I’ve got 108 company’s that range from hospice company’s to all major Hospitals in the Kansas City metro and into the Overland Park, Olathe areas, sending me and referring clients!

When I’m tagged on Facebook by complete strangers recommending me, just because they’d seen my post or heard about me, it just blows me away! When I’m eating in a restaurant and someone recognizes me and comes by to talk, it makes my day! I’ve been featured in magazines, on Great Day KC TV show on Fox 4 and This is KC radio show did an entire segment on me and my company!

To say I’m proud of myself is an understatement, because I never dreamed I’d come this far! I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon as I went from just doing hair to now I offer toenail & nail trims and files and I specialize in severely matted hair.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s had it’s moments of thinking, “What am I doing?” I’ve seen things that I can’t unsee or un smell, but I’ve also met amazing people along the way.

Losing my favorite clients has been the hardest part for me. I try not to get close to them since most are on Hospice, but it’s hard not too when many are like surrogate grandparents since I lost mine.

As you know, we’re big fans of Designs by Ash, LLC . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in the hair and nail care needs of the severely disabled, hospice, dementia, autistic and mental health communities. My clients need my help more than anyone else does, because so many can’t get to a salon and if they can, it makes them to nervous.

I come to people’s homes, facilities and all major Hospitals by appointment only and I basically bring a salon with me! I come with everything I need to perform my job, while trying to do so with minimal equipment to make the process as easy as possible on both my clients and myself. Over the last 11 years, I’ve changed things a lot as it’s been a learning process. But it’s one that I’ve got down to an art now!

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is that feeling you get when you just know you’ve made your dream come true! Regardless of how hard it was, how little money you had at times, you never gave up.

Having my phone ring or getting text all hours of the day and night from strangers or past clients, making me booked out 2-3 weeks in advance is all the proof I need. Having clients book out thru the end of the year, seeing people refer me on Facebook just solidifies that I’ve made it!

Being given the opportunity to be in a magazine, on TV and radio, just feels like I’m living a dream! It’s a dream I’ve had since I was 2 years old and I made it come true!

Pricing:

• Autistic Kids cuts: $25
• Women’s cuts: $45-50
• Men’s cuts: $35, includes beard/eyebrows
• Perms start at $120
• Severe matting removal: $80 per hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.designsbyashllc.com
• Yelp: www yelp.com > biz > designs-by-ash-richmond