Daily Inspiration: Meet MarilynAshley Perry

Today we’d like to introduce you to MarilynAshley Perry.

Hi Marilyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am a Communications major and I love to talk, so I will do my best to walk you all through my story briefly of how I became a serialpreneur. My name is MarilynAshley Perry I was born January 14, 1983, in Kansas City Missouri, and primarily raised in Grandview with roots in St. Louis, Missouri. I was educated in the Grandview school district. Family and friends know me as “Ashley” and I was troubled in my youth yet ambitious and determined. I got to where I am today, by not giving up. I am a tenacious person with a lot of drive. I graduated from Grandview Alternative School a semester early in 2001, then attended Cosmetology school. I graduated and obtained my cosmetology license in 2003. However I always wanted to be a writer and public speaker, so I went back to my alma mater in 2007 and spoke to the teens at my former high school.

Giving a message of hope and letting them know that they can overcome anything. As a writer I completed my first book In October of 2013; an autobiography titled “I Am Living Proof” that goes into detail about the fast lane that I was living in before dedicating my life to God in 2004. I was very goal driven and had a desire to still obtain my bachelor’s degree. While working for an insurance company and studying to take the property and casualty insurance exam to become a licensed insurance agent, I also returned to school in 2014 part-time as an adult learner (students over 25 entering college) to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. It took 8 years for me to finish a 4 years degree.

Prior to and throughout that journey around 2013, I began doing research about credit. What it was, how it worked, and how scores were calculated. I became obsessed with research and after looking over my report and recognizing there were so many errors (I was a victim of fraud and a stolen identity when I first graduated high school in 2001) I went to one of the larger credit repair companies and had a free consultation. The lady gave me enough info that I decided I wanted to give it a shot for myself. Fast forward to 2014 I sent my 1st set of letters out to creditors, collection agencies, and bureaus. I immediately recognized that it was tedious work, and then decided that I would go ahead and hire a company to do the work. I honestly didn’t have the time to watch for letters in the mail, then follow up with the correspondence necessary, I also was not knowledgeable of laws. I hired a company in August of 2014, it was $300 to sign up. about 12 days after I signed up, the letters that I sent before hiring them worked!!! I had 3 incorrect items removed, but again I didn’t have the time to do the process myself (but I kept in mind that what I had done worked!!!).

At the time I had a car that had an interest rate of like 24% (completely upside down). In September of 2014, I was able to get a 2014 vehicle with 6% because of improved credit scores. I continued to work with the company for another 6 months and improved my scores significantly. The ultimate goal was to get approved for a mortgage.

During that time of cleaning and building my credit, I decided to help my ex-husband build his because he had none.

That’s right it wasn’t good or bad, he just had NONE! I took him from no credit to a 720 in a 6 month period, just by adding him as an authorized user on my accounts. In May of 2015, we got a pre-approval letter for a mortgage for $125k. This was all exciting, then September 2015 I was laid off, and I only had enough money saved to pay 3 months’ worth of bills. (you are supposed to have 6-12 months) Things began to spiral out of control, just when I had done all of this work to be in the 700s. 2017 we had to file bankruptcy because that is the snowball effect that happens with a loss of income and debt that already existed. All that hard work and I had to start over again. This time because of my experiences, I said that once we got out of debt and started re-building our credit again, I would help others do the same. I know personally what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, overspend/overdraft accounts, forget about a bill (1 missed payment is 50 points deducted from your credit score), help others before you help yourself, and lose a job. and the list goes on.

Even after bankruptcy, I was able to get my credit back to 700. Discipline, a changed mind, and behavior matter if you want to live a fruitful life. I helped people during this time for free and as people would reach out to me telling me they received 50-125 point increases and items deleted from their credit report, I was interested in turning this into a business.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road, as I mentioned previously I was troubled in my youth. Generational traumas created unhealthy environments and choices. My early life was influenced by many unfortunate circumstances such as molestations, rapes, drug addiction, and alcoholism. Eventually, I became promiscuous and addicted to drugs and alcohol while still in high school. I had low self-esteem and did not understand my value.

Having an anxious-ambivalent attachment style resulting in a lack of boundaries caused a lot of pain and struggles.

Lifes disappointments that come from our human experience from loss, betrayal, inconsistencies, rejection, and even abandonment issues were some of those obstacles. Also being a double minority as a black woman comes with its own set of challenges. I mentioned activism because oppression is a struggle. Any form of bondage is a struggle.

Traveling on a road with chains and weights will not allow one to travel very far let alone smoothly. Not knowing my identity and being confident in who God created me to be was my biggest struggle.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While still finishing my degree at UMKC I started Credit Sense Credit Repair in March of 2019, exactly one year before we would go into what we now know as a pandemic with Covid-19. I received my BA in Mass Communications with a double emphasis in interpersonal communication, and journalism, and a minor degree in criminal justice in December of 2021 exactly 20 years from when I graduated from high school. As a motivational speaker, it comes naturally to motivate people in changing their lives. A healthy life is centered on 5 components spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and financial stability.

So I promote all of these components, I am big on everyone being the next best version of themselves. Through a life of transparency of my own challenges, even recently my weight loss journey from 254 to 189 lbs. I’m still, a licensed cosmetologist, an insurance agent, a published author, a credit repair specialist, a fitness-wellness coach, public relations specialist, a business strategist, a mastermind specialist, an activist, and ultimately a motivational speaker.

I specialize in persuading people to believe in themselves and their abilities to have whatever they can believe and work for. I am most proud of my growth and most humbled by the wisdom that God allows me to have. What sets me apart from others is my transparency and many life experiences, and although I’m not a mother I am nurturing in my nature, I have a genuine spirit and a soft beautiful face with a distinct but impactful voice. When I speak people leave feeling empowered and encouraged to do and be better.

What do you think about happiness?
Serving people makes me happy because it strengthens individuals, gives hope to humanity, and has the ability to restore and heal hurting people. Serving also gives me the ability to show my gratitude and appreciation for others.

Pricing:

• Free General Credit Consultations-Multiple monthly plans offered
• One on One $75
• Host $100/hr
• Team Building $65/person/hr
• Public Speaking $1500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.credit-sense.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creditsensekc, https://www.facebook.com/iamamotivationalspeaker/

Image Credits
AG Photography, Rondi Pruitt, Tamirria Smith, and Denise Salaam Photography