Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Ash.
Hi Tammy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
“My journey in this industry began 38 years ago when I first stepped into beauty school, leading to 37 years as a dual-licensed hair stylist and nail technician across Missouri and Kansas. While I always had the experience, I knew 13 years ago that it was time to build my own company. I didn’t want to just run a traditional salon; I wanted to make a profound difference and serve the individuals who needed specialized care the most.
Over these last 13 years, I have poured myself into continuous education to better myself both as a person and as an elite business owner. To provide the highest level of care, I invested heavily in both behavioral and clinical training, earning specialized certifications in Dementia, Autism, mental health, and intellectual disabilities. I also advanced my clinical skills to become a certified Advanced Nail Technologist (M-ANT) and a Medical Nail Technician (MNT), allowing me to perform advanced, medical-grade hand and foot care—including specialized care for diabetics—that mirrors the precise, sterile care of a podiatrist’s office.
To back that clinical expertise with sharp business acumen, I simultaneously earned diplomas in Business Administration, Health & Social Care, Human Resources, and Public Relations.
I initially launched the business serving residents across six different nursing homes a week. When COVID-19 hit, it became a major turning point. Although my business was designated as essential, strict lockdowns meant I could no longer enter the facilities. Recognizing that my clients still desperately needed me, I refused to let that door close. Utilizing my background in business and health management, I pivoted and took my services completely on the road. That challenging moment marked the official beginning of going strictly mobile, allowing me to bring elite, compassionate, and highly specialized care directly to my clients’ doorsteps.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“It has definitely been a journey filled with unique challenges. Learning how to run a business is one thing, but mastering a successful mobile operation requires an entirely different level of logistics and grit.
On any given day, I am balancing clients across different towns & 2 different states as I am licensed in both Missouri & Kansas, moving seamlessly between private homes, care facilities, and hospitals. That means hours of driving in all types of weather, constantly adjusting to rescheduling to keep the day running smoothly, and physically hauling up to 50 pounds of specialized equipment into five or six different locations each day. On top of the physical labor, I have handled all of the marketing, administration, and hands-on client care completely on my own the last 13 years.
Looking back, my absolute biggest hurdle was starting this company from the ground up with zero capital and zero clients. It took immense sacrifice and relentless determination to build momentum.
Today, my challenges look a bit different. Right now, with gas prices hovering near $5 a gallon, operating a fully mobile company comes with a heavy financial strain. Because many of my clients are seniors or individuals on very strict, fixed budgets, I carry a lot of worry about balancing my rising costs. I refuse to raise my prices if I can help it, because I know how much they rely on me, but I also have to afford the fuel to physically get to them. It’s a heavy burden to carry, but I ultimately keep the faith that it will all work out.
Through it all, I am incredibly proud of what I’ve built. While I am still learning and constantly evolving the business for the better, I run a smooth, highly efficient operation—and my schedule is now consistently booked out four to five weeks in advance.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Desig?
“Designs by Ash, LLC is a premium, fully mobile salon and clinical nail care company serving the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas. I specialize in bringing elite, compassionate, and highly adapted care directly to individuals who face barriers visiting traditional salons—specifically focusing on those in hospice, individuals with Dementia or Autism, and clients with mental health or intellectual & physical disabilities.
What completely sets my brand apart is the seamless bridge I build between beauty, clinical wellness, and deep behavioral empathy. I am not just a stylist; I am a Certified Medical Nail Technician (MNT) and Advanced Nail Technologist (M-ANT) and I specialize in toenail restoration and severe hair matting. My clients don’t just receive standard salon care—they receive specialized, sterile, medical-grade hand and foot care, including specialized preventative care for diabetics, mirroring the high standards of a podiatrist’s office. Backed by my diplomas in Business Administration, Health & Social Care, Human Resources, and Public Relations, every facet of my company is engineered to provide an unparalleled level of professionalism and safety.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the unwavering trust I have built within the community over the last 13 years. I treat every client with the dignity, patience, and respect they deserve, adapting to their environment whether they are at home, in a care facility, or in a hospital bed.
What I want readers to ultimately know about my brand is that it was built on a foundation of profound purpose and extreme faith. When you see the Designs by Ash name, you are looking at a business that prioritizes people over profit, combines advanced clinical mastery with elite styling, and brings a luxury, therapeutic experience right to your doorstep.”
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
“When it comes to networking and finding mentorship, my greatest advice is to look beyond your immediate industry and seek out people who challenge you to grow in every facet of your life.
For me, networking has never been about standard business card exchanges; it has been about intentional alignment. Because my business sits at the unique intersection of beauty, clinical medical care, and specialized behavioral support, I built my network by connecting with professionals in fields I wanted to master. I reached out to podiatrists, healthcare administrators, memory care coordinators, and community advocates. By showing a genuine desire to learn and better myself for the sake of my clients, those professional connections naturally evolved into powerful, reciprocal relationships. Look for group meetings in your area that you can join in your field as well. This is a great free way to network with the people you will need to promote your business.
What has worked best for me is leading with a servant’s heart. If you want to build a strong network, focus on how you can add value to others first. Whether that is sharing specialized knowledge, offering support, or volunteering your time for causes that matter—like my decades of advocacy and public speaking work—genuine visibility follows genuine impact. Above all else, always treat people the way you want to be treated!
For anyone starting out or looking for a mentor: don’t just look for someone who has the job you want. Look for someone who possesses the character, resilience, and ethics you admire. Align yourself with people who pour into their education and their communities, and remember that the strongest network you can ever build is one rooted in trust, continuous learning, and mutual respect.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designsbyashllc.com
