Community Highlights: Meet Ashley Burton-Mims of Emerald & Rose Consulting LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Burton-Mims.

Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I burned out for the last time in 2023.

Unfortunately, like most women, I had burned out several times throughout my almost 20-year career in corporate retail. But this last time was a turning point because I finally took the time to slow down, name what was happening, ask for help, and focus on my healing.

If you knew me back then, I’m sure you thought, “Hmm, something is off, but she says she’s fine, so it must be fine.” I was so far from fine. I had stress-related inflammation so bad that I could barely walk. I was having panic attacks, struggling to sleep, and irritated by the smallest things. I was nowhere near the patient, kind, and compassionate person I wanted to be.

After having a complete breakdown, I realized several things: I needed to be in community because burnout thrives in isolation, but healing happens in community. I had to be honest with myself about my capacity and accept that I couldn’t do it all, especially not alone. I didn’t have healthy boundaries; I was saying yes to everything externally, which meant I was saying no to myself and my needs. I didn’t understand rest beyond taking naps. And I was giving grace to everyone except myself.

Through that season of reflection and healing, I launched Emerald & Rose Consulting not as a business idea, but as a personal commitment to live differently. I wanted to create something that would remind women and leaders of color that we don’t have to choose between purpose and peace.

At Emerald & Rose, we focus on burnout prevention and recovery through workshops, coaching, and community experiences that center rest, intention, and connection. My signature framework, B.R.I.G.H.T. (Boundaries, Rest, Intention, Grace, Honesty, and Tribe) was born out of my own healing. It’s the framework I wish I’d had years ago.

Today, I get to support organizations and individuals who are ready to redefine success not as constant output, but as sustainable well-being. Whether I’m leading a corporate leadership series, hosting our Burn Bright Sessions in Detroit, or speaking on stages across the country, my goal is the same: to remind people that burnout is not a badge of honor. Rest is not lazy. Healing isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And we all deserve to burn bright, not out.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. I began to realize that what I was experiencing wasn’t unique to me or personal; it was systemic. I was wearing my superwoman cape so tightly that it was literally taking years off my life.

The hardest part wasn’t just burning out; it was unlearning the belief that my value was tied to productivity. As a Black woman in corporate spaces, I had been conditioned to prove my worth over and over again, even when it came at the expense of my health. Slowing down felt like failure. Rest felt like rebellion.

There were also practical challenges: leaving a stable career, starting a business built on wellness in a world that glorifies hustle, and learning to trust myself again after years of over functioning. But every obstacle has shaped the way I show up today. It’s why I’m so passionate about helping others see that burnout isn’t a personal flaw; it’s a signal that something in our culture, our systems, and our expectations needs to change.

As you know, we’re big fans of Emerald & Rose Consulting LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Emerald & Rose Consulting was created with one clear intention: to help women and leaders of color burn bright, not out.

We specialize in burnout prevention, recovery, and leadership development. Through our workshops, coaching programs, and community experiences, we support individuals and organizations in reimagining what sustainable success looks like. Whether it’s helping a corporate team create healthier boundaries or guiding entrepreneurs to rest without guilt, our work is about restoring the human element to leadership and success.

What sets us apart is our approach. I don’t believe in surface-level solutions or quick fixes. Our signature B.R.I.G.H.T. framework (Boundaries, Rest, Intention, Grace, Honesty, and Tribe) is both practical and deeply human. It helps people reconnect with themselves, their purpose, and their community. Each workshop and coaching session is rooted in compassion, reflection, and action because healing and growth require all three.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the community that has formed around this work. From the Burn Bright Sessions at Aya House here in Detroit to partnerships with organizations across the country, it’s been incredible to watch people give themselves permission to rest and redefine what thriving looks like.

At its core, Emerald & Rose Consulting isn’t just about avoiding burnout; it’s about creating a life that feels aligned, intentional, and full of joy.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the weekends I spent with my cousins while our moms went shopping. I’m an only child, so they were like my brothers. We played video games, watched music videos, and stayed up watching movies that made me feel like a big kid or at least like I was getting a glimpse into the adult world. And of course, there was all the candy and snacks my mom would never keep at our house. Those weekends were pure joy for me. They taught me early on the power of connection, laughter, and simply being in community with people who make you feel at home.

Pricing:

• 1:1 Burnout Coaching: Starting at $250 per session (with package options available)
• Workshops & Speaking Engagements: Custom pricing based on audience size, format, and duration
• Corporate Leadership & Wellness Series: Multi-session programs designed for teams and organizations; pricing available upon consultation

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emeraldandrose.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burn.bright.not.out/
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/emeraldandrose
• Other: https://linktr.ee/emeraldandrosellc