Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Isenhoff serves as the founder and director of HIS Creative Academy, a nonprofit based in Comstock Park, Michigan, which she established approximately 4 years ago. Growing up immersed in dance, ballet, voice lessons, acting, painting, and drawing, she was inspired by an art exhibit at ArtPrize in 2015 to address human trafficking through creative means. Starting with a single class of 9 students, the academy has grown to serve dozens of children and special needs adults weekly through performing arts and creative classes that incorporate lessons on risk-taking, bullying, and community service. The organization, which transitioned to nonprofit status this year after operating as an LLC, emphasizes using gifts to help others, such as performing at nursing homes and creating art for veterans. Isenhoff credits her faith in God and parental encouragement for her success and advises young women to believe that anything is possible while focusing on being a positive influence to others. She values laughter and creativity in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith, for sure. Faith in God, and then also encouragement from parents. Which I think is really important, and even for my students to know that parents to know that, that's the words that they say that speak life over their kids goes a long way.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
No matter what lies you're choosing to believe, naturalize your choosing to believe, whether it's about yourself or something you can or can't do. To focus on others around you and see how you can be sunshine for them. Even just remembering anything is possible. I think I've times to my students. Maybe write that one down and say whatever's gonna look the best on the profile, but I do tell people a lot that anything's possible. And to just keep believing that, because that is a very good truth.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Keeping things fun because I love having so much fun. I love dancing, I love laughing. So making sure that we're laughing, that we're having fun. And then another value, I think, would be creating, because my entire job basically right now is creating. And even in my relationships with people, some of my favorite moments with friends are the moments that we just create that are just fun.
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