Ashley | Founder of 34:Eight Treat Co.
Sometimes purpose doesn’t arrive the way we expect it to.
For Ashley, entrepreneurship wasn’t new. Creativity wasn’t new either. For nearly a decade, photography was her creative outlet, her business, and a major part of her identity.
Then something unexpected happened.
She put the camera down.
After nearly ten years of pursuing photography, Ashley made the difficult decision to walk away and step into something completely different. What she didn’t realize at the time was that God wasn’t taking creativity away from her.
He was simply redirecting it.
In August of 2025, 34:Eight Treat Co. was born.
Inspired by Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see,” the business became more than a dessert company. It became an invitation for people to slow down, enjoy something sweet, and experience a moment of joy in the middle of everyday life.
When a Dream Feels Different
Ashley loved photography.
But when she talks about 34:Eight, there is a different kind of excitement in her voice.
While photography was something she enjoyed, this business feels like something deeper.
A calling.
A purpose.
A vision she can clearly see growing into something much bigger than where it started.
She lights up when she talks about new flavor ideas, themed treats, future possibilities, and all the ways she hopes to expand the business.
For the first time, she isn’t just building a business.
She’s building something she believes she was created to do.
The Battle Between Confidence and Calling
Like many entrepreneurs, Ashley’s biggest challenge hasn’t been creating the product.
It’s been believing in herself.
Comparison has a way of making even the most talented people question their abilities.
Someone else has more followers.
Someone else has better engagement.
Someone else seems to be getting chosen more often.
Sound familiar?
Instead of allowing those thoughts to stop her, Ashley has chosen to do something uncomfortable.
Show up anyway.
Creating content, posting consistently, recording voiceovers, and putting herself out there has become part of her confidence-building journey.
Because how can we expect growth if we’re unwilling to be seen?
Faith Requires Participation
One of the most powerful lessons Ashley has learned is that faith and action must work together.
She believes that if God places a dream in your heart, He has already equipped you with the ability to pursue it.
But ability alone isn’t enough.
It takes courage.
It takes faith.
And it takes a willingness to move even when fear is present.
“We can’t pray and ask God for something and then refuse to make the sacrifices or put in the work required to receive it.”
That belief has become one of the driving forces behind her business.
Do It Afraid
If Ashley could leave readers with one message, it would be simple:
Do it afraid.
Fear is normal.
Fear doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong decision.
In fact, fear often shows up right before growth.
The difference between the people who stay stuck and the people who move forward isn’t confidence.
It’s action.
Because confidence isn’t something you wait for.
Confidence is something you build.
One brave step at a time.
A Future Built on Faith
When Ashley talks about the future of 34:Eight, she doesn’t immediately talk about revenue goals or expansion plans.
She talks about people.
Her husband, who has supported every creative dream she’s pursued.
Her family, who have championed her business from day one.
Her niece, whose face lights up at the mention of “Titi’s cake pops.”
And the children she hopes to have one day.
The future she’s building isn’t just about treats.
It’s about creating memories, building something meaningful, and proving that sometimes the dreams we’re most afraid to pursue are the ones we were meant for all along.
Ashley
Founder, 34:Eight Treat Co.
Follow Ashley on Instagram at 34EightTreatCo
Leave a Reply