The journey to success can begin with a single idea. For makeup mogul Ashley Opoku, this was exactly the case. Starting her journey as an independent makeup artist, to now owning and operating the leading provider of hair, cosmetics, and spa supplies, Ashley can attest to the power of following your dreams. Below, we take a look at just how Ashley earned her spot in the Top 10 Leaders in Beauty 2024.
From a young age, Ashley Opoku knew that she was destined for great things. Originally, she dreamt of becoming an editor-in-chief and worked hard to achieve such ambitious goals. With a passion for fashion and beauty, Ashley knew that she wanted to empower others to embrace their own styles and uniqueness.
As she got older, however, Ashley realised that her true calling was within makeup artistry. She found immense joy in boosting the confidence of those around her and joined Mary Kay Beauty as an Independent Consultant. By investing in herself, Ashley was able to save for her future whilst inspiring those around her.
As a makeup artist, Ashley was fully engaged in her craft. She worked hard to continually sharpen her skills and improve, whilst maintaining a close eye on the latest beauty trends and techniques. In the cosmetic industry, what is popular today may not always be popular tomorrow, especially in the digital world. Makeup artists must constantly monitor emerging trends to remain up to date in such a competitive landscape.
Alongside learning cosmetics, Ashley has also worked to achieve a remarkable educational background, with qualifications from a full range of industries. In 2019, she joined Berkeley College to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management, and Operations, and is set to graduate in 2025.
In 2017, Ashley earned a certificate in Fashion Industry Essentials from Parsons School of Design, and in Hospitality Management from Cornell University. She achieved an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Mildred Elley from 2017-19, gaining crucial experience in business, management, marketing, and support services.
A truly well-rounded entrepreneur, Ashley has held roles in the financial industry as a representative and account manager. During this time, she was issued certification as a Tax Professional, Appraiser, Assessor, and Collector. While not necessarily related to the world of cosmetics, this experience has been paramount in preparing Ashley to successfully run her own business.
Finally, the New Skills Academy issued Ashley certifications as a Certified Makeup Artist in 2020, and in Hair Styling and Salon Management in 2023. Gaining credentials in hospitality, marketing, business management, salon management, and hairstyling over the course of her educational history has well-equipped Ashley with the necessary understanding and skills to succeed within the industry.
Driven by her steadfast commitment to entrepreneurship and personal improvement, Ashley decided to expand her horizons even further. She started her venture into wholesaling human hair, a decision that marked the beginning of her journey into the comprehensive industry of beauty supplies. In exploring this venture, it became clear to Ashley that her ultimate vision was to create a wide beauty enterprise.
In 2020, Ashley celebrated the establishment of The Pink Studio in New Rochelle, New York. This milestone was the result of months of hard work for Ashley; spending long nights studying business strategies in the library; investing in courses to sharpen her knowledge and skills; and having less time to spend with her family and friends.
However, Ashley’s remarkable determination and entrepreneurship inspired her to push forward with this venture, and she has not since looked back. With The Pink Studio, she aspired to provide high quality services in a warm and welcoming space, where her clients could feel at ease and pampered. The Pink Studio soon became a cornerstone of Ashley’s business, Akua Ashley LLC.
Today, Ashley has succeeded in building the beauty enterprise she had once dreamt of. In addition to makeup artistry services at The Pink Studio, Ashley also operates Akua Ashley LLC, a hub for all things beauty. Akua Ashley LLC is a powerhouse supplier of hair, cosmetics, and spa supplies. The company offers clients an array of online products and services that cater to the diverse needs of both beauty enthusiasts and professionals.
Akua Ashley LLC is also home to Ashley’s blogs, designed to give readers a specialist insight into the world of fashion and beauty. Sincerely Ashley is free to read and provides readers with their daily dose of makeup features, beauty and skincare reviews, and exclusive content. This blog is updated each week, and even features interviews and media exclusives.
Fashion Media is Ashley’s second blog, revolving around learning to navigate the industry. This blog provides anytime access to a collection of beauty videos, workshops, and exclusive content added each month. Offering over ten hours of video content available and unlimited lifetime access, Ashley enables her clients to better understand the craft.
At her heart, Ashley aims to empower those around her in feeling confident and beautiful, and successfully achieves this with her work. Ashley’s journey has displayed the true passion, skills, and determination required to succeed in this industry, and has inspired many to follow their dreams. Last year, Ashley was recognised to be the Most Innovative Beauty Entrepreneur 2023 in the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2023, an accomplishment that she has truly earned in her operations.
Looking ahead, we at LUXlife are certain that the future will be prosperous for Ashley and her business. Over the course of her career, she has demonstrated a strong understanding of the industry and keen business acumen, for which she has been featured in LUXlife Magazine’s Top 10 Leaders in Beauty 2024. We would like to congratulate Ashley on this accomplishment and wish her the best as she continues to strive for excellence.
For business enquiries, contact Ashley Opoku from Akua Ashley LLC on their website – https://www.akuaashley.com/
