Ashley Longshore is an artist and entrepreneur based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Longshore has often been described as the "Andy Warhol" of our time. She spent six weeks at the University of Mississippi before realizing her calling to be in Montana to grow her artistic abilities. Her artwork focuses on pop culture, Hollywood glamour, and American consumerism. She prides herself and her artwork with self-love. She was in the art industry for many years before her work took off. Longshore is undoubtedly unique in creating her art and selling her art. The New York Times described Longshore as an "Avatar of pop feminism to thousands of followers."
In addition to Longshore's talent, she has incredible business acumen. She has her own studio and uses social media to promote her work and sell directly to the consumer. Longshore did not want to go the gallery route. She decided to cut out the middle man because that is what best worked for her vision and her business model. Longshore told interviewer Carrie Colbert, "Social media is just a tool. It isn't the answer, and a lot of people get that confused. It is my daily journal of optimism and humor. It's an open window into what inspires me and what tickles me at any moment. The idea of social media allowing people to experience what inspires me in real-time is intoxicating and fun." Longshore is a perfect example of staying true to yourself and doing what is best for your business. In Longshore's words, "You better love you some you!"
Ashley Longshore expanded her art business by doing collaborations with Judith Leiber, Bergdorf Goodman, and many others. She also is an author, and her book is titled You Don't Look Fat, You Look Crazy, which details her journey creating her brand by implementing self-love. When Longshore was asked how she handles the stress from her multiple projects she says, "It's good to have an inner monologue of 'you can do it, you've got this, take a deep breath.'” Being an entrepreneur is not easy, but Longshore emphasizes it is attainable by believing in yourself.
