Ashro Woman: Brandy G.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Brandy G. from Rockford, IL
Pay attention, Ladies.
This young business owner and mother of two started her business out of her book bag! Today Brandy’s Candies is a brick-and-mortar building located in downtown Rockford, IL., and it’s been going strong for 4 years.
Brandy’s best advice? Be who God created you to be…and be the best at whatever that is.
Being the best requires faith and work, and Brandy is willing to do both. In addition to running a business, Brandy teaches bible study, works out regularly and embraces being a mom. The little things make her happy: like checking in with her daughter about fashion or hearing her son crack jokes.
Brandy isn’t into shying away from hard things as a mother, either. “I learned I can’t change choices from the past, but I can change [myself], so I won’t make the same mistakes in the future. I also learned how important it is for my children to see me get along with others—especially women—and if I wronged someone in the past, to let them see me apologize.” Now that’s HARD.
| Name |
| Brandy G. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Rockford |
| Which state do you live? |
| Illinois |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The Ashro woman to me is a women with virtue, and you know what the bible states about that. Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and splendor. And she looks to the future with confidence. |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am a four year strong, downtown black-owned, candy retail business owner. What I like most about what I do is that it my business started in my bookbag. Anything I don’t like just require faith and work and I’m willing to do both so I don’t mind dislikes. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| I spend my free time with my children, getting professional massages and working out. |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| The small thing that make me happy is when my daughter walk pass me and massage my shoulders and when my son cracks jokes. |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| I can cook any type of Lasagna you can think of, my children love it so much that no matter the size of the pan it disappears in no more than two days. Sometimes I cook my famous Lasagna for my bible study in which is always open to the community. |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| Recently I have been on a hunt for a new and spacious building for my bible study and motivational center with no luck at all, not stating nothing was happening I had found a place but was racially profiled and sized up because I’m young so I didn’t get the one I was led to but don’t know Elohim’s plans. After going through that I was reminded of a landlord that bought a building for my bible studies and or another retail store but it needs to much work. Then I landed a location that have so much to choose from and a lot of opportunities but the first day they were so short staff they canceled my time there at the last and I mean last minute but I still used my faith by allowing my study to be transferred to my previous location. It has been a struggle and triumph but I’m still speaking peace in the storm for my Faith In The Storm Study hall. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| My friend Albert is a great not perfect but awesome influence in my life and those around me when it comes to faith and being professional, I also believe he influenced me to be able to influence him right back and others on a high scale. |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I love matching my attire with my personality. |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| My daughter is 13 years old and wants to be a fashion designer some times I check in with her. |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| It was diffult learning how to line up with who I become and match that with my attire and in that process I learned how much others and my youth can influence my attire. |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! |
| I actually love hats even at my young age, some people tell me they played out but I tell them when I shop and dress myself it’s about me and what I like. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I do wear hair wraps but not a lot, my daughter took my center table liners and created us head wraps before they actually turned out nice. She don’t wear them like she use to I found out she didn’t like her forehead but after I started telling her-her beauty includes her fore head and she is enough just like she is it finally sunk in. |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| I do wear wigs but I would prefer natural. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I am a believer and a Elohim fearing woman before I’m anything! |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| I visit different churches and I do a bible study called Faith In The Storm, that’s my way of giving back not forsaken the gathering. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| I also do a live bible study from time to time on social media for all to see. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| Your best advice? |
| My best advice to some (as far as feedback I received) is how I started my business in my bookbag and or how I inspire people to start a business. My best advice I give to me is from King Solomon when he basically told Elohim whatever you created me to be just make me the best at that. |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| I am a single mother of two teenagers, being a single parent has taught me why change and growth from the smallest on up is important, I learned I can’t change choices from the past but I can change so I won’t make the same mistakes in the future. I also learned how important it is for my children to see me get alone with others especially women and if I wronged someone in the past let them see me apologize. |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| When I first saw the Ashro catalog I was in awe and even to this day, I always find nice clothes when I browse through there catalog and or website. |
Thanks for inspiring us, Brandy!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (2)
JMA
May God continue to bless you – and others through what you do!
Brandy
Thank you!