Q & A with Ashley: AKL Wrapped
What’s your mindset as you say good-bye to 2024?
This was a huge year for AKL! I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me and my business over the last four years. From near and far. Every little bit of support has brought us to where we are. Being a small business owner can be very difficult and exceptionally isolating. Having a rockstar team, the RIGHT clients, and an authentic community is what saw me through the highs and the lows. It feels like going into year five we are FINALLY on the right track. All the grit, grind, sacrifice, and stress of the big decision making has started to pay off for us and it feels so good!
Any special shoutouts?
OMG YES. I am beyond grateful for my team. All of the projects we've completed are not doable or possible without their time, effort, sacrifice, and positive spirit.
Our organizing team is the backbone of our business. They do the hardest job here at AKL – it’s physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. They hold space for our clients to grieve, let go, and ask for help. They bring so much fun and laughter into a home that our clients almost always say they miss us when we are gone. They leave their children to other caretakers so that they can take care of our clients, and as a mom myself, that’s the ultimate sacrifice.
Our design team creates the most beautiful and functional spaces for our clients. Because of them we look REALLY good at our jobs. Their creativity and passion for beauty allows us to work with clients all over the state. They push the boundaries and create something from nothing in even the tightest, smallest, or most challenging spaces. Without them we would not be where we are today.
And, last but definitely not least, a huge shoutout to our construction team. My dad, our trades, vendors, clients, and Drew at Dick’s color center...just kidding, but, really. :) Remodeling is NOT easy. It’s messy, complicated, stressful, challenging, sometimes thankless. Even with all of those challenges and obstacles we ALWAYS end up with a beautifully done space and a VERY happy client. They go above and beyond to meet my ridiculously high demands, standards, and professionalism. They say “yes, of course” and “I’ve got you” whenever I ask for something impossible. They are patient and kind and treat me with the utmost respect. Even when I have zero idea what I am talking about.
I mean, there is so much more that I could say... but, obviously this isn’t a 500-page novel and you're probably already done with your coffee at this point. So, that is that. LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Social exploded for you this year after your “Hey, Ash” videos went viral. Any other videos that were your faves this year?
All of our flip videos! Those are the most meaningful to me because they actually showcase our work. Our Almost-TV-Show video was really fun to share. I’m super proud of this custom garage project. And, of course, all the funny ones with my dad!
What are some of your favorite product finds of 2024?
What was your favorite personal moment of the year?
Being able to share our near-TV-show experience was definitely the highlight for me. It was an experience that I had to keep quiet for so long. When we found out it wasn’t going to air, I really needed some time to process and reflect on that experience. Once I was ready to share it with the world, it felt like such a celebration of joy in every way.
What was your favorite professional moment of the year?
Taking on our first investment property! We learned so much, but we also had SO much fun. Our team created a beautifully designed, custom home out of a literal dumpster fire. LOL. The community was so excited to see AKL show up in a new way and we plan to do much more of that in 2025! Get a sneak peak of our newest property.
What was your biggest challenge of the year?
Our historical home remodel project in Ladd's Addition… Spoiler… its STILL ONGOING. We’ve learned A LOT. This project has continuously challenged me in every way possible. We've hit a large number of unforeseen and uncontrollable snags. Trying to keep my patience along with my spirit so that our client can feel supported, comforted, and guided has been the hardest part of this year for me.
What was your biggest win of 2024?
Having our largest revenue year to date! We hit a huge milestone in 2024 and it feels so good to get that validation that we are absolutely on the right track! 2025 is where we really get to see what we are made of. The goal is to grow even more in the next year. Think we can do it?!
What are you looking forward to in 2025?
I’m focusing on the three S’s: Simplify, streamline, and stabilize. We have the right people, the right clients, and the right mission, vision, and culture. Now, we need to take a step back and look at our processes and procedures. I want to create an efficient machine so that we can grow even more in 2026. I've been telling my internal team that this will be the year of seeing what we are really made of. And then if we can do that and do it in the way I think we can that 2026 will be the year to invest in AKL, our people, and our culture.
Project wishlist! More full house remodels. We did two this year and it was definitely challenging to bring all the details together, but we’ve learned so much. If we aren’t dead after our first historical remodel in 2025, then more of those as well. LOL. Our team feels such a sense of honor to restore, design, and rebuild these 100+ year-old beautiful pieces of architecture in Portland. And, always, MORE GARAGES! Our organization team will focus on building our custom garage portfolio and increasing our service range to include concierge relocation services for clients moving into the state, or building custom homes here in Portland.
Anything else you want to share?
Yes! My favorite cookie recipe of all time: Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread. You’re welcome.
