Her Story
About Ashly
Ashly LeBron is the Chief Executive Officer of Brandster Inc., a retail e-commerce company specializing in outdoor living products, including outdoor kitchens, patio furniture, grills, and hearth products. Since joining the company in March 2020 as a buyer, she has steadily advanced through positions of increasing responsibility, including Office Manager and General Manager, before assuming the CEO role. Today, she oversees the company's overall operations, including strategic planning, purchasing, vendor relationships, e-commerce, customer experience, and team development. Drawing on her background in collections, sales, and management, Ashly brings extensive hands-on experience in communication, negotiation, relationship building, and operational leadership.
Ashly's journey into leadership reflects her adaptability, determination, and willingness to learn through experience. Although she initially aspired to pursue a career as a district attorney, financial circumstances led her to take a different professional path. Rather than allowing that change to limit her opportunities, she built her career through practical experience, continuous learning, and embracing new technologies, including artificial intelligence. One of her proudest accomplishments has been rebuilding important vendor relationships, including restoring Brandster's partnership with Hollywood Furniture. Her leadership philosophy centers on humility, efficiency, integrity, and recognizing that a company's success depends on the people behind it. She believes in treating employees with humanity, valuing their contributions, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ashly enjoys wrestling, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She also supports Elevate Hope, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children and families in need. Looking ahead, she is committed to expanding Brandster's operations and has an ambitious vision of growing the company to $20 million in annual revenue. She is also interested in eventually establishing her own e-commerce business. Through her journey, Ashly demonstrates that successful leadership is not defined solely by formal education or traditional career paths, but by perseverance, continuous growth, strong values, and a genuine commitment to people.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to learn quickly, adapt, and use available resources, including AI, when needed. I also value humility and recognize the importance of asking questions and seeking help. Since stepping into a role I was not originally trained for, I have embraced a continuous learning mindset. My approach to leadership is to understand my employees’ responsibilities, learn from their experience, and find ways to support them and help them perform their jobs more effectively.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to remain open to learning, embrace change, and never let an unexpected change in direction limit my growth. My experience has taught me that success does not always follow a traditional path, and being adaptable can open doors to new opportunities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to never stop learning or assume you know everything. Approach others with humility, remain open to different perspectives, and be willing to adapt to any circumstance. Regardless of your education or situation, remember that you are ultimately responsible for your own growth, decisions, and success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my industry is its volatility and seasonality, particularly in retail, where economic downturns can significantly impact business. Maintaining consistent profitability throughout the year requires careful planning and adaptability. However, the industry also offers endless opportunities to expand, explore new ventures, and pivot into different areas, providing flexibility for continued growth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place great importance on integrity, strong morals, and treating people with respect. I will never compromise my personal values for a job or financial gain. I believe humanity should never be lost in the workplace, regardless of how large a company becomes. Employees are the people who contribute to a company's success every day, and they deserve to be valued, respected, and treated with dignity.
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