Meet the woman trailblazing in the financial literacy space – Ashlin Price.
Ashlin, we’re excited to share your story with our readers. Let’s start with some details about who you are and your business.
I am a sought-after speaker, author and financial literacy consultant who specializes in providing financial literacy, addressing behaviors related to finances, and professional development. I am the owner of Financial Freedom Enterprises, LLC, a financial consultant company that provides services to communities and organizations in need of financial education and strategic planning to improve their personal and professional finances.
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Maryland, a Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD), with experience in working with juvenile justice, family investment, addictions, child welfare and mental health/ behavioral health. I am Board Approved Supervisor Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug and a Certified Financial Social Worker (CFSW). I am also a Certified Prepare and Enrich Marriage Facilitator where I work with couples to foster healthy relationships, understand family dynamics of communication, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and encourage open communication. I’ve been a guest and featured on various media platforms to discuss personal and financial health and wellness.
I possess a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. I am an active board member for Cheer Up Wellness and TaylorsMOM, two non-profit organizations in Maryland. I reside in Maryland and serve my community proudly.
I solve problems assisting people to learn about financial literacy of credit restoration, budgeting, savings goals, debt pay off etc. and get people closer to accomplishing their personal goals with their finances. I also offer webinars, workshops, seminars and speaking engagements to learn about financial social work and how past traumas affect their current spending habits with money and how to build a relationship with their finances. I wrote a book of affirmations to assist people with transitioning their mind frame about finances, “31 Days of Financial Affirmations and Elevations: Making Room for Abundance and Prosperity”. It’s meant to challenge self-sabotaging negative thoughts and give others the opportunity to rewrite their story.
Congratulations! Your passion and experience is making a difference. Sometimes business can be hard. What inspired you to start your business and how did you navigate challenges along the way?
The defining moment of my journey as an entrepreneur that really changed the trajectory of my career happened in my personal life but impacted my professional career. It was the moment when my brother passed away in February 2021 leaving my family to inherit some of his debt and learn how to navigate life without him. When that situation happened, I struggled with meeting deadlines at work, completing assessments and completing notes at work. I went into a depression struggling with my work, struggling to process my emotions, and struggling to share my personal thoughts. When planning for the home going service for my brother we learned that we did not have enough money to pay for his home going service. Family members volunteered to support with the financial strain of paying for the homegoing service because he didn’t have enough life insurance money. Losing my brother was a defining moment because it forced me to re-evaluate my finances, it forced me to consider myself and it forced me to look at my past because I wanted to ensure that my family was prepared for the transition of life. I literally felt like I “couldn’t afford to grieve” attempting to manage additional finances that were asked of me while attempting to learn my new reality. As a social worker I work with families from lower income communities with minimal resources so to ensure that I was able to give my all to the communities I serve I had to take a step back and evaluate myself.
This moment inspired me to start my own business because it made me consider how my past perspectives, traumas and beliefs about money influenced my spending habits. It made me think about how we handle money and the conversations we have or did not have with our families in reference to legacy planning. As a social worker, I help families ensure stability in their life and cope with challenges. Social workers assist with various challenges such as, substance use, child welfare, terminal illness, and therapy (just to name a few). We promote holistic care focusing on mental health, emotional wellbeing, meeting basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, and medical needs but not so much on discussing financial wellbeing or sharing how past beliefs influences and affect our family. It was at that moment when my brother passed away that was the defining moment that made me reconsider my finances and really assist others in considering themselves to learn how their past beliefs influences their current habits. It made me consider how people cope with the transition of life when they don’t have the necessary resources to support it.
As a BIPOC entrepreneur, who or what inspires you the most? Also, how has your cultural background and experiences help shape your approach to business?
I would say my inspiration is Lisa Nichols. Her story is so captivating and powerful how she poured into herself and into her dream. She created a space to share her story to encourage, motivate and create a space for others to share. They way I ensure to stay connected to the inspiration is watching her content virtually, attending her workshops and connecting to others who mimic her values and support system. When feeling down about myself or discouraged I’ll listen to her motivation and passion in her voice to support me.
As a BIPOC entrepreneur my cultural background and experience has influence my approach to entrepreneurship. The influence of cultural that has influence my approach to entrepreneurship are beliefs, values and lifestyle. On top of that it was trusting myself and believing that other people would trust me.
My beliefs of entrepreneurship were initially skewed not seeing any other entrepreneurs or not having any close proximity to anyone. I knew down inside that I could do all things however, I didn’t have any examples to what that looked like. I had to create a belief system that people of color (black people) could be prosperous. I had to create my own belief system outside of the people I seen on TV that it could be my reality.
My values were based on hard work, work a 9-5 job, get a pension and invest into your retirement. Entrepreneurship was never a thought of mine growing up. Now I did see hard work from my grandmother, my sister, and sport coaches. I knew what that looked like and the reward it was suppose to grant me. I was no stranger to working for what I want and needed in life since nothing was given to anyone.
My lifestyle growing up was a little different. I grew up with my grandmother until she passed away then I lived with my aunt who I call “mom”. My parents were in my life on a full time basis. I went to public school, did cheerleading and dance, I had lots of friends where we went bowling, skating, the movies and we played outside. My lifestyle wasn’t set up or groomed for entrepreneurship but I always knew something more was in store for me.
At Soigne’+Swank Magazine, we make it our business to highlight and promote positive, uplifting, and meaningful examples of black excellence. What does black excellence mean to you?
Black excellence means to me is showing up and demonstrating resiliency and confidence. It also means celebrating everything that makes us great, by acknowledging the past while celebrating the future. Black excellence is about creating platforms that teaches and brings people together. Black culture encourages us to see obstacles as a challenge and find solutions to them. We are encouraged to find opportunities, solutions and different avenues to abundance. Black excellence means thinking outside the box to innovate new solutions. Black excellence cultivates creativity, embracing our differences of our hair, clothes, voice, body shape and dress. Black excellence shoots wisdom out of their face while creating balance of self care and love.
That’s powerful! What advice would you give your younger self? and how can readers connect with you?
The advice I would give my younger self is learn as much as you can, stay connected to great mentorship and take on as many opportunities as you can. Although it may not look like anything as a child to heed to information. I would tell my younger self to take on challenges as new obstacles and not as hinderances. Partner and connect with people that look different from you and learn what they do. You can find me online and connect with me by email.
Website: www.themoneysocialworker.com
email: info@themoneysocialworker.com
IG: @themoneysocialworker.com
Facebook: Ashlin Price
LinkedIn: Ashlin Price
