December 2020 | Page 11

FEATURED
Empowerment comes in many forms , but entreprnuer Ashley Sutton decides to use greeting cards as a way to flip the script - Elizabeth Duchan
Ashley Sutton ,
Owner / Operator of Hustle & Hope

Ashley Sutton is taking her own unique approach to spread empowerment : through greeting cards . The founder of Hustle & Hope has created a way to inspire both givers and receivers of the colorful stationery by encouraging them to pursue careers and reach entrepreneurial goals .

Ashley Sutton is no stranger to turning her aspirations into realities . The Texas-native found her calling in New York City immediately after graduating from college , where she accepted an internship at a major beauty company . With over a decade of experience working in some of the top Fortune 500 companies , and as a marketing executive of a major New York City publisher , Sutton holds high expertise within the beauty , toys , and licensed products world .
These corporate experiences soon became meshed with Sutton ’ s urge to empower others . Through her book Overtime Is SO Over , Sutton details a guide to managing workloads , tackling burnout , and transforming approaches to achieving successful careers . After realizing that physical greeting cards would be a welcomed way to spread similar messages of empowerment , especially within such a digital world , Sutton turned to stationery to reach widespread audiences .
Hustle & Hope was founded on the very virtues that its name implies . Each card greets recipients with relatable and empowering phrases , as well as a free guide unlocked by barcode , filled with advice and tips to help bring their careers to new heights . Serving inspiration and motivation , Sutton hopes that the cards will not only help people realize their dreams but turn them into realities . “ I have been amazed at all of the love and support from total strangers ,” she asserted . “ People are gravitating towards our product because of its uniqueness , but they are staying engaged because of our ability to connect through content .”
As a Black female entrepreneur , Sutton ’ s card company reflects her own journey in the business world . “ I [ sic ] have been met with a range of challenges , from printing to inventory to the cost of goods to shipping pickup ,” recalls Sutton . “ I handle every single one of those challenges by stepping back , feeling my frustration ( not ignoring it ), breathing , and quickly and calmly finding a solution .” Throughout the process , she has made sure to employ a diverse group of “ female powerhouses ” to support the art design , social media , and public relations of Hustle & Hope .
Sutton has high hopes for the greeting cards ’ impacts and looks forward to the company ’ s continued evolution . “ Seeing something you wrote down as a mere idea come to fruition is an incredible feeling ,” she says . “ The reward has truly been in the building of Hustle & Hope . . . I hope you all enjoy this labor of love .”
To learn more about Hustle & Hope Greeting Cards , visit https :// hustleandhopecards . com /.