There was a time when I believed asking for help meant I wasnât enoughâlike I was somehow failing at being a mom, a business owner, and a person.
I thought if I just worked harder, pushed through, and figured it out on my own, Iâd finally prove myself.
The only thing that proved was that trying to carry it all alone was breaking me.
Letting go of that belief wasnât easyâit felt like ripping off armor I thought was protecting me.
The moment I opened myself up to help was the moment everything shifted.
My life didnât get easier, but it got better. I could finally breathe, focus on what mattered, and show up in the ways that felt most real to me.
And yet, there are still days when I catch myself falling back into old habits, thinking I need to carry it all.
Moments where I try to juggle everything on my own, forgetting the lesson Iâve learned.
I pause. I remind myself to stop, to breathe, and to recenter. I remind myself that itâs okay to reach out, to lean on others, and to let go of the need to do it all.
Growth isnât about being perfect; itâs about learning, unlearning, and choosing whatâs better for youâeven when itâs hard.
And every time I choose to ask for help, Iâm choosing connection over isolation, collaboration over burnout, and a life built with others over trying to go it alone.
If youâre holding on to the idea that you have to do it all alone, I see you. But you donât. And when you let that go? Youâll find something even greater: the strength that comes from leaning in, not just carrying on
Too loud. Too big. Too much. I've heard it all.
But here's the thing: I wasnât made to shrink, dim, or settle.
I was made to live this life with every ounce of passion, energy, and purpose Iâve got.
To ride this journey until the wheels fall offânot because Iâm completely feral (okay, maybe a little), but because I believe in making the most of every moment.
And yes, Iâll keep going until thereâs nothing left, because thatâs what this life deserves: my everything.
Too much? Maybe. But Iâll take too much over mediocre any day.
Hey, Iâm Ashleyâaka The Crabb That Can đŚ.
Iâm a wife, twin boy mama, and a nature-loving, coffee-craving, always-hustling-in-some-way kind of woman.
Iâm the kind of person whoâs just as excited about a freshly tilled garden as I am about seamless systems. (Balance, right?)
I believe in staying organized but also leaving room for creativity. Iâm the queen of spreadsheets and dad jokes. Like: âWhatâs the best way to save your dad jokes? In a dadda-base.â
Iâve lived coast to coastâfrom Pennsylvania to Washington and back againâand brought a little of that PNW vibe with me. Hiking boots ready, hands in the dirt, and always up for a new adventure.
But at my core? Iâm all about connection. I know what itâs like to juggle big ideas and endless to-dos, because Iâve been there. Thatâs why Iâm passionate about helping others grow businesses that fit their livesânot the other way around.
Whether itâs simplifying the chaos or turning your ideas into action, I love showing others that âYes, you CAN do thisâ (because Iâve seen it happen time and time again).
So, letâs raise a glassâor perhaps a cup of coffeeâto big ideas, small wins, and finding joy in the process of building something amazing.
Whatâs one random fun fact about you? Drop it belowâI canât wait to learn more about you!
P.S. DO THE BRAND SHOOT. Seriously, youâll thank yourself and Jenna B. Photography later.
Sharing this with you from my Instagram live this morning.
You can do the damn thing. You ARE doing the damn thing.
Proud of you. Proud of us.
Have a great Monday!
Feeling pretty ignited. Feeling pretty unstoppable.
I'M NOT GONNA LIE 2024 WAS FCKING HARD. Like, new mom with twins hard. Except it was mom with 2 year old twins goes all in on her business. While taking everything else in life, head on.
For her family.
For herself.
For her community.
I kinda think 2024 was hard for many of us. Because we put in the work. Because we sacrificed. Because we didn't give up.
And because we got through this year, as hard as it was, I know the year ahead won't break us either. In fact, I think we are more ready for the year ahead than we even realize.
I feel a buzz for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Like we've been gearing ourselves up for a long while - and we're ready to explode. Taking our business, our communities and the connections we make, to a whole new level.
Pretty exciting if I do say so myself. Do you feel it too??
I hope you're proud of the work you do every single day. I hope you're proud of the way you show up, even when itâs hard. I hope you're proud of the impact youâre making on peopleâs livesâbecause it matters, and so do you.
Today, I want to celebrate you. The moms juggling businesses and bedtime routines. The entrepreneurs stepping out of their comfort zones to chase big dreams. The small business owners pouring their hearts into serving their communities.
Iâm proud of the work I doâthe services I offer and the incredible people I get to help. It feels good to be trusted to guide others and an honor to be a part of their journeys.
But you know what makes me even prouder?
The people I actually work with.
Iâm so proud of my clientsâtheir courage, their creativity, and their commitment to making an impact. Watching them grow their businesses, reach more people, implement bold new ideas, and strengthen our local communities is truly inspiring.
Youâre making a difference. Youâre showing whatâs possible. And I hope youâre proud of yourself, because I sure am.
Keep showing up.
Kep making an impact.
Keep growing.
Thank you, @shadetree.embodiedwellness, for allowing me to help with your 1-Year Celebration.
Iâm so proud of the work youâre doing in and for our community. You are truly an inspiration.
Shade Tree Embodied Wellness embodies what it means to bring people together, to embrace the unique journeys we all walk through life, and to celebrate each step along the way.
Itâs businesses like yours that make our community stronger and more connected. Thank you for trusting me to be part of such a special milestone.
Hereâs to many more years of making an impact and changing lives!
Yesterday, I was chatting with my fellow businesswomen and mamapreneur groupâentrepreneurs and moms who just get it.
We started talking about something so important: the power of saying no. In business and in life, saying no can feel scary. Thereâs this fear of missing out on opportunities or losing experiences that might lead to growth.
But saying no can also be one of the most empowering choices we make. Itâs about choosing what truly aligns with us and setting boundaries that protect our time, energy, and freedom.
Iâve realized that sometimes, before we know when to say no, we have to say yes. There have been times in my life when Iâve said yes to an opportunity or commitment, and Iâve never truly regretted those yes decisions. Even though Iâve learned that those might not be opportunities or commitments Iâd take on again, each one has taught me something valuable. Iâve always walked away with a stronger sense of who I am and whatâs right for me.
Every yes has been a stepping stone toward saying no to anything that doesnât align with what I truly value, pushing me to grow and helping me refine my path.
What are some of the opportunities you want to say yes to? And what spaces are you creating more value in by saying no? Tell me in the comments đ
Iâm never going back.
There was a time when Iâd hold back from opportunities, hesitate to step outside the box, and shy away from the unknown.
I didnât see myself as someone worthy of sitting at the table with those making bold moves.
I didnât fully believe that my skills, my ideas, my vision held value.
I wonât ever go back to being the woman who doubted her worth.
If you want to do big things, youâve got to think big.
Think big about who you are, your goals, and what youâre truly capable of.
Surround yourself with those who see the potential in themselvesâand in you.
Because growth starts with believing you belong at the table.
Hereâs to continuing to unlock more gates, opening doors we once thought were closed, and moving forward with purpose and confidence.
Oh, HELLO!
I see you. The small business owner. The entrepreneur. The one juggling a thousand tasks, each more important than the last.
You're wearing ALL the hats. CEO, marketing guru, customer service rep, and everything in between.
But deep down, you're realizing it's time to get some help. The thing is, you're not even sure where to start.
That's where I come in. The Crabb That Can is all about lifting the weight off your shoulders and giving you the support you need.
Whether itâs growing your online presence, developing a branding strategy that speaks to your audience, or building genuine client relationsâmy job is to help you succeed.
But here's the other part: even if I'm not the right fit for what you're looking for, Iâll help you find the person who is.
Because this business community is about more than just transactionsâit's about connection. Itâs about collaboration. And itâs about building a network that supports each otherâs growth.
So, let's figure out together what you need to take that next step. Letâs build, grow, and connect.
Your business is worth it, and you're not alone on this journey. Send me a DM todayâlet's talk about how I can help you find the right path forward.
And if you know someone who could use a little help? Share this with them!
Whatâs it gonna take?
Whatâs it gonna take for you to recognize that youâve got this?
To step outside your comfort zone and show the world what youâre capable of?
Nowâs the time to overserve your clients, your community, and everyone around youâbecause when you do, youâre not just working. Youâre creating impact.
Itâs your moment to shine, to lead, and to inspire. The world is watching⌠letâs make it wonder how it ever managed without you.
Spend a Friday with me "out of the office"!
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.
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đMet @the.wardrobe.staple at @newhollandcoffee
đ Had a delicious lunch at @morningfuelpa
đ Met with Laural from @shadetree.embodiedwellness
đ Had coffee with @dallan_yoh from @greaterreadingchamberalliance at @simplyboldcafe where I found @blackwhitegray_everyday
đ Ended the day with my favorite people at @cherrycrestadventurefarm
Weew! That was a long one. But there's something special about spending the day out in your community. Shaking hands, having conversation. Bring it all back to center with family + friends. Feeling pretty blessed for this life đ
Hereâs the thing.
You canât actually create 30 more of yourself. But if we, as business owners, could? Letâs be real, we absolutely would.
Itâs not that we donât trust anyone with our businessâitâs that, as entrepreneurs, our business is our baby. Will you care for it as deeply as I do? Will you know what to do if SHTF? Will you tell my story like it needs to be told?
YES. A thousand times, yes. There are business managers who get it. Who are ready and invested in connecting with and uplifting local businesses. Theyâre here not only to help you grow, but also to strengthen the community that youâre a part of.
Here are three more reasons why, as a small business owner and entrepreneur, you should consider hiring a business manager. And not just any business managerâa local one:
1ď¸âŁ Your Business Deserves Full-Focus Dedication
You need someone whoâll bring the same energy, heart, and hands-on care that you do. A local business manager lives and breathes this commitment, so you donât have to wear all the hats.
2ď¸âŁ Crisis-Proofing with Local Knowledge
Life throws curveballs, especially in business. A local manager knows the lay of the land and how to respond in ways that resonate with your community when things get real.
3ď¸âŁ Invested in Your Story and Community
Local business managers are community builders. When your business thrives, so does the community around you.
4ď¸âŁ You canât clone yourself! And would you REALLY want to?
Finding a business manager whoâs just as passionate about your vision means you donât need to be everywhere all the time. Let someone else handle the hustle while you keep dreaming big!
Curious how a local business manager could make a difference for you?
Drop a question in the comments or my DMs! Letâs talk about what it looks like to have a partner whoâs just as invested in your growth as you are. Because your business deserves itâand so does your community.
Your partner in starting, scaling, and managing memberships that matter.
