For years, I have worked under women in the esthetics industry seeking inspiration, education and growth within my career in hopes that one day could provide that to others like me. I finally decided to own that role and be intentional about it. I started journaling about my passions, my thoughts, goals and curious wonderings about what has been lacking within our industry and what could set me apart from former owners I had worked for. I founded The Bare Bar with a mission to give others a taste of what goes on in my mind, how amazing our industry could actually be and tear down some of the negative's aspects to rebuild positives and I have been at it a little over a year now. Take into account I had absolutely NO idea we were headed straight towards a global pandemic. Take some time to explore our first year in biz. Plus, how we have managed to stay afloat during the pandemic. It hasn't all been rainbows and butterflies, but I think we learn the most in life from our struggles and failures anyway. Right? I Hope you read something interesting, and inspiring in some of this coverage we received this past year.  I am hopeful to receive more positive coverage in the years to come as we build a studio full of passion, integrity, connections and begin to start implementing the changes we need to make this place all that I dreamed it would be. See you bare babes in the studio.  

XO, Ash

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• The New York Times: It Could Be a Great Year, if Your Business Survives Winter

• CNN Business Perspectives: Why I had to sell my wedding ring to keep my business alive (Ashlie’s Op-Ed)

• CNN Business: Here's how many struggling Americans are spending their stimulus checks

• NBC News: Paycheck protection program denying some small businesses much-needed help

• Business Insider: Ashlie Ordonez, mom of 5, sold her wedding ring to keep her company afloat. Here are 4 things she and other entrepreneurs with children say they need to avoid losing their businesses during the pandemic.

• Business Insider: Small businesses created during the pandemic are still creating jobs and helping the economy. So why are they locked out of federal aid? (Lexi’s Op-Ed)

• CBS News: Paycheck protection program denying some small businesses much-needed help

• CBS News: Locked out of a PPP loan, one woman sold her wedding ring to keep her business afloat

• CBS Denver: Female Business Owner Shines Light On Small Business Loan Inequities

• The 19th: ‘I feel like I’m drowning’: Women business owners keep hitting new barriers to federal loan aid

• NPR/Marketplace: Denver beauty bar was shut by pandemic before it even opened

• NPR/Marketplace: Two years into the pandemic, this microbusiness owner is still on “a roller coaster”