Ashro Woman: Monique P.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Monique P. from Bradenton, FL
Beautiful inside and out, this US Navy veteran, mother and small business owner has not always had it easy. In fact, she once spent two months as a working homeless mother.
When she found herself in this scary situation, she turned to her faith and her family. It was her aunt who kindly took in Monique’s two teenage boys until Monique could get back on her feet. “That favor…showed me what it meant to have a village.”
During those 2 months, Monique “reached out to a women’s shelter and a safe house” and worked for the airline industry, flying to her aunt’s home to see her boys on her days off. Instead of just moving on from this situation, Monique took it to heart and vowed that if [she] were ever granted the opportunity, [she] would make it her business to pull other women up and remind them of their power to overcome.”
To her great credit, she has done just that…formulating a 501c3 to provide food for hardworking families in need and a safe house for women suffering domestic abuse. She is currently working on a fragrance line that honors survivors of domestic abuse and those who did not make it out.
| Name |
| Monique P. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Bradenton |
| Which state do you live? |
| FL |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| BEAUTIFUL UNAPOLOGETICALLY |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| US Navy Vet small business owner |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| Traveling |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| Giving voice to the voiceless |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| Sweet potato pie for anyone for any occasion |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| Recognizing I can’t save the world but doing what I can with what I have to make a difference in the lives of others who just need a word or encouragement, a listening ear or a hot meal on the table. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| When I was a working homeless mother of two teenage boys, I sent them to stay with a relative while I worked. Since I worked for the airline industry, I flew my aunt’s home to check on them on my days off. That favor she provided during those two summer months showed me what it meant to have a village. While I was away from my boys, I reached out to a women’s shelter and a safe house. I vowed if I were ever granted the opportunity I would make it my business to pull other women up to remind them of their power to overcome and the inner beauty that always shines on the outter. |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| During the pandemic, I formulated a 501c3 named BLM Community Outreach, Inc to provide food for hardworking families in need. I also formed BLM Safe House, LLC to pay it forward to assist women who suffered domestic abuse. I am currently developing a fragrance line in honor of these heroic women and paying homage to those who did not survive. I’m not so focused on the fragrance being on the shelves of major department stores, but rather making connections with black owned salons, boutiques and beauty supply stores. I want our community to understand the mission behind the scent. I believe when women overcome traumatic experiences and are afforded another chance of another chapter of her life, when she’s dressed for the job interview, she deserves to smell as beautiful as she looks…unapologetically. |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? |
| NA |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| Easy, flowing, functional and on occasion, elegant |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| My grandmother was always stylish |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| Since working from home, I don’t get dressed in my pretty dresses or suites as I did prior to the pandemic. Now that the world is opening, I find reason toe get dressed to attend meetings outside or flying to visit family. |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| My style has evolved. As a teenager, I couldn’t afford the name brand or designer clothes but I just wanted to be comfortable. At this juncture of my life, I find I enjoy the more relaxed attire than being all dressed up most the times. |
| 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 love my Summer federos and my winter wool wide brims. A good hat can lend pop to any outfit. It can either dress it up or tone it down when worn properly with the right attire. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| Hardly ever |
| 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! |
| Periodically |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| My Faith definitely has and still does sustain me in the midst of the most challenging journeys of my life. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| All online in the past 2yrs. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| My sons have always known of me to be a praying mother and now at the age of 35 and 36, they still look to me to pray those fiery prayers on their behalf. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| Yes. Credit has helped me manage my spending |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| It was 2yrs ago when I first heard of Ashro |
Thanks for inspiring us, Monique P.!
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 (1)
Joyce Mayberry
Awesome Lovei it ALL.!!