meet ashley hearon-smith, the woman behind momtourage
This a very special Lady Brags for us! We met Ashley back when Lady Suite just started. She was co-hosting a weekly Instagram show called Wake Up With WiO where she shared our Rejuvenating Botanical Oil. It was so refreshing to see women publicly embrace vulva care. As quickly as “better intimate care” is becoming the new normal there still so much work to do to undo the taboo around it...and Ashley has always been right there on the forefront. We later learned about her incredible accomplishments.
Ashley is host, producer, actor...
Her newest adventure is the “Momtourage” Podcast, along with Keri Setaro. Momtourage is the new weekly podcast from the duo, who previously hosted Scary Mommy’s, SCARY MOMMY SPEAKS. These two are getting real about parenting, the struggle to be selfless mothers but still badass bitches, all categories scattagorical, partner fails and post-partum sex. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere you get your podcasts.
We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with her. Get to know Lady Boss Ashley Hearon-Smith with us!
let's start with a lady brag!
1. Tell us the 3 things you love to brag about the most:
1. Can I start by saying I don't really enjoy bragging about myself at all? The term alone makes me so uncomfortable, so this is a good exercise in doing that. Here goes!
My son, because that’s just some mom stuff. The sun rises and sets by him as far as I’m concerned. So, good luck to his future partner!
2. I’m blown away by how many times women have messaged us and said that mine and Keri’s honesty and vulnerability on the podcast has helped them get through the challenges of motherhood. It’s the whole reason we do this!
3. I’m really proud of the fact that setbacks don’t stop me from continuing to push and hustle in my career. Entertainment isn’t an easy field, not as a woman and especially not as a working mom, but that hasn’t stopped me from continuously working and being creative.
2. Tell us what you see as the driving force behind your career? Is there a common thread that motivates you the most?
Honestly, I wish there was some grand purpose, but I think I just know what makes me happy and fulfills me creatively. It doesn’t hurt that I’m also a Virgo, so as soon as I get somewhere I’m working on getting to the next level.
I was recently listening to an interview host Taylor Strecker did where she was talking about her divorce and how when she faced and got through this huge “failure”, or at least what is generally perceived as a failure, nothing was going to stop her. Although motherhood is also in no way a failure, the statistics of women leaving the workforce are certainly not ideal. Something clicked inside of me when I became a mother and I just realized there wasn’t time to mess around anymore. I know what I want and I’m doing myself a disservice by not working towards it and giving up. Plus, I’ve got a little person watching me and everything I do is setting an example for him.
3. What is the mission behind Momtourage?
Keri and I were brought together for our previous podcast, but through doing it and really becoming friends, we started to realize that the podcast was actually becoming a safe place for moms-- a place where moms could listen and interact, and feel seen. And it wasn’t just for them, it was for us as well. Doing the show helped us feel like we weren’t alone, like there were other non-perfect moms who needed to feel like it’s ok for everything to be a mess sometimes. With Momtourage, we not only wanted to continue working together weekly, but we also wanted to continue to be a platform for all of us mommy group rejects out there. Motherhood is lonely and it’s important for us all to know that the struggle is real, and that’s OK.
4. What does “wellness” mean to you now? And how is this different from the way you thought of wellness in the past?
Since becoming a mom I feel like wellness is so much more all-encompassing than just not being “sick”, or being in shape. It’s now about being well adjusted and able to handle it all, because if I can’t do it it’s probably not going to happen. Sometimes I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders-- between mom duties, work, seeking out more work, my partnership with my husband, keeping a house functioning (as antiquated as that may sound), juggling a ton of schedules-- it all becomes just too much sometimes. Forcing myself to truly take some moments to keep myself in check and do a little bit of selfmaintenece can really make all the difference!
5. What products are in your bag/purse right now that you can’t live without?
Lady Suite, obviously! In my purse I pretty much always have some kind of face spray, usually it’s rose water, but lately it’s been Star Girl from Blume. I’m an Aquaphor addict also. That stuff is great for lips, dry skin, cuticles, and even my son. I’m a red lipstick fanatic-- it’s the one product in the world that can totally change an entire look and mood for me. I always make sure to have some variety of red on me, because you never know when you’ll need a whole vibe change.
6. We know you use the Lady Suite, thank you!!! What is your favorite way to use Lady Suite?
Aside from the obvious, I really struggle with my skin sometimes. I recently saw on the Lady Suite Instagram that you can use it on your face. I put it on at night and use it as my face oil to Gua Sha while I zone out and watch Bravo. I’ve noticed it’s been fading my acne scars and the texture of my skin is improving! I swear to you, this oil has become my version of Windex in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”.
7. What advice do you want to give to all women everywhere?
Never stop and it’s never too late. You’ve got one life and one shot to do what feeds your soul. Don’t let your circumstance or what other people think ever stop you from doing you, not at 20, 50 or 80.
