Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Marie Kouza.
Ashley Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Glamghoul simply started as a new hobby. I’m a full-time hairstylist and also co-owner of The Velvet Hair Lounge in Ocean Beach. I was looking for a creative outlet outside of the salon, and I love all things fashion! I’m a complete shopaholic but also a workaholic, so I would buy all these clothes and accessories and never have anywhere to wear them, they were just not practical for work behind the chair. So, I thought I would start taking pictures in different outfits I create and so I did. I then started sharing them on my personal IG, next thing you know my followers were quickly climbing, and big name companies such as Forever 21, Hot Topic, & Good American were reaching out wanting to collaborate with me! I never once expected it to take off as it did, within a year I had reached 100K followers. The crazy part is I didn’t get into this with hopes of becoming an IG Model, I just wanted to show the world that a girl my size with a visible belly outline and tattoos, can still pull off and look good in fashion-forward clothing.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a pretty smooth road. The struggles I faced were more driven by my own insecurities. You see what others have and wonder why you don’t have those collaborations and why they got to work with that company and not you. If I had to give advice to young women I would say to always stay true to yourself and don’t do it in hopes of fame and money do it because you genuinely LOVE it! The rest will come, I always try to remind myself “what’s meant for me will be for me”
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a Color Specialist full time and I’m also a Plus Size Model/ Influencer. I work behind the chair six days a week and any other free time I have is dedicated to creating content for my IG @glamghoul. I think what sets me apart from others is my drive and passion for all things beauty and fashion. I love having the ability to make other women feel beautiful and confident, and I get to do that both behind the chair and online.
Who have you been inspired by?
My mom and my older sister Anita inspire me every day. They’re both strong-willed, hardworking women and without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today. My sister is my biggest cheerleader she believes in me when I don’t believe in myself and pushes me to chase my dreams and never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: velvethairloungeob.com
- Email: glamghoulashleymarie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamghoul
Image Credit:
Robyn Picard
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
