Exploring Life & Business with Ashley Gibbons of Mute Business and Leroy The Label

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Gibbons. 

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I am a restless creative. I prefer high-pitched dog barks to baby talk and believe that a dash of spirituality rounds out a healthy perspective. I tell stories like they’re going out of style but retain my love for design and the written word. Some say I am intimidating, but I promise I have a soft heart. Born and raised in a suburb outside of Detroit my parents gave me the foundation on which to build my life. I am eternally grateful for all they have done for me. 

I attended Catholic grade school and high school until I was offered a scholarship to play soccer at Indiana State University, where I graduated with a BA in Graphic Design and Minor in Art History. I wasted no time after graduating and accepted a role as a Jr. Art Director at McCann. I knew within my first-year corporate life it was not for me. I wanted to do something bigger and better than myself. Soon after, I was laid off due to Covid-19, which caused unprecedented chaos in our country. I remember sitting in my 500 sq. ft studio apartment during a country wide lockdown not knowing what I was going to do with my life. I could either sit on my a** and let my fears consume my life or take this time to create the life I wanted. I chose the second route. I started freelancing to pay the bills, taking businesses courses, pulling many all-nighters, and working day in and day out. I invested in myself and became an entrepreneur. It was my biggest fear and greatest accomplishment. I started two businesses in the beginning of 2021, and I am so excited to continue the chronicle my life and leave behind a legacy.

Throughout my entire journey my family, boyfriend, friends, and therapist stood by me, and I am so grateful for their love and support.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I view every problem as an opportunity. With that being said, I have experienced many opportunities in my life. From loss to failures to struggles with my mental health. 

A loss teaches you to grieve, feel a loss and learn what is means to love. A wound like this defines who you are and makes you wiser. Failure teaches you to get back up. It tells you that you were brave enough to try and smart enough to learn from your mistakes. Mental illnesses strip away all the pretenses we have built around ourselves, leaving us raw and vulnerable and faced with our truths, but it also reveals the infinite power of your mind and body. 

Each is a catalyst for why I am where I am. As a fierce competitor in the face of adversity, I never stop fighting. I even have that saying tattooed on my foot to keep me grounded. 

We’ve been impressed with Business #1: Mute Business #2 Leroy The Label previously known as Goodlee, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and creative director of Mute, a marketing agency and creative studio based in Detroit, MI and Leroy the Label (previously known as Goodlee) as well as a photojournalist and content creator. 

As an entrepreneur we face many challenges, question ourselves daily and are never satisfied with the present moment. I decided to relaunch both of my businesses this year. I had to take a step back and ask myself some hard questions. Why did I start this business? Who am I? What am I here to solve? How am I going to do it? These questions led me to where I am today. 

Mute is relaunching in October. We take a no-fluff, no-bs approach to marketing. We help brands reinvent their digital footprint by curating highly strategic content on the most influential platforms to build brand awareness, increase conversion rates, and grow your community. Our efforts aren’t limited to a creative space, we want to create a community of woman who are ready to push boundaries, break down barriers, and make our world a better place. There are still far too many barriers standing in the way of women’s progress. Women represent half of our population—but they are not treated as equals in business, and they face many social and legal obstacles that hold them back from actualizing their full potential. It’s time to change the narrative. I believe that every woman deserves access to the resources they need to succeed both personally and professionally in a safe space filled with support and empowerment. One of my purposes in life is to build this community for generations to come. Stay in the know on @curatedbymute

Leroy The Label previously known as Goodlee is relaunching this fall. We reproduce found garments from various sources and periods for men and women. Each garment is an individual piece of art in which you can be yourself. It’s one-of-one, just like you. We approach design with a deep-felt respect for the quality and craftsmanship of the original pieces, creating unexpected designs that connect the past with the future. We are on a mission restore individuality while maintaining focus on sustainability. Keep up with the latest updates on @leroythelabel and @itsgoodlee

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I wake up every morning and express gratitude for allowing myself to feel happiness.

Happiness is a choice. It can be seen as a state of being or a state of doing. Happiness is not an emotion, but rather it is a feeling, a sensation that you allow yourself to experience when you are living your life. 

A feeling of happiness can vary from cooking dinner for my boyfriend, knowing I get move my body on the Peloton with Robin Arzón, having the power to use my social media for good, helping my friends and family in any way I can or cuddling my dog after a long day’s work. 

To be happy, you need to be optimistic about the world and yourself. Being optimistic doesn’t mean being unrealistic or ungrounded—it means being aware of your own potential, the potential of others, and the ability to act on it. For example, a small act of kindness can have a big impact on someone else’s life, as well as your own. Believe in yourself and in your ability to make happiness a state of mind. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashleygibbons.me
• Instagram: @ashleyygibbons_

Image Credits
Ashley Gibbons